ORCID Identifier(s)

0009-0006-8837-864X

Graduation Semester and Year

2023

Language

English

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering

Department

Bioengineering

First Advisor

Michael Cho

Abstract

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) plays a crucial role in maintaining central nervous system homeostasis and, if structurally and functionally compromised, can lead to severe neurological consequences. This thesis explores the therapeutic potential of Poloxamer 188 (P188) in the context of BBB wound healing. P188, FDA-approved copolymer that is known for its cytoprotective properties, is examined for its impact on endothelial monolayers through in vitro scratch wound assays. The study aims to establish a consistent endothelial monolayer model, quantify wound healing dynamics, and assess the efficacy of P188 at varying concentrations. The thesis goals include detailed methodologies such as cell culture techniques, scratch wound modeling, and treatment with P188. Results indicate that P188 significantly influences the rate of wound closure, with concentrations as low as 10 uM, and using a higher concentration (e.g., 100 uM) did not further accelerate wound healing. An automated wound detection algorithm was developed to quantify the characteristics of wound closure. While this algorithm was sufficient to analyze the initial wound size and morphology, ImageJ FIJI software had to be employed for manual wound area analysis at later stages. Our findings suggest the need for further exploration of more complex wound morphology and an in-depth understanding of the wound healing mechanisms that are mediated by P188. Future work may involve investigating P188's impact on cell proliferation and migration. Overall, this research sheds light on the potential of P188 as a therapeutic agent for BBB wound healing, paving the way for future investigations and applications for reparative tissue healing in the brain.

Keywords

Wound, Model, Scratch, Poloxamer, Monolayer, Endothelium

Disciplines

Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering | Engineering

Comments

Degree granted by The University of Texas at Arlington

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