Characterization of Transduced Mesenchymal Stem Cells

In order to be classified as mesenchymal stem cells, the ISCT has certain requirements that must be met. These requirements include positive surface antigen expression of CD105, CD73, and CD90, and negative surface antigen expression of CD45, CD34, CD14 or CD11b, CD79α or CD19, and HLA-DR. Requirements also include adherence to plastic and being differentiable into bone, cartilage, and fat cells. Transduction means to introduce DNA or RNA into a cell’s genetic material via viral vectors. In Dr. Sreedhar Thirumala’s cell and gene therapy process development and manufacturing lab, the procedure currently in development is that of transducing mesenchymal stem cells to make them useful for therapeutic purposes. In this study, transduced cells are proven to still be mesenchymal stem cells according to ISCT regulations. Using assays such as flow cytometry and qPCR, the cells are shown to retain the original qualities of mesenchymal stem cells after being transduced.

Supervisor: Dr. Sreedhar Thirumala
Department: Medical and Molecular Genetics