The research team includes (from left) Victoria Neckles, David Feliciano, Tori Riley, Aidan Sokolov and Jennie Holmberg.Image Credit: College of Science
CLEMSON, South Carolina College of Science associate professor and researcher David Feliciano has received a $667,000 grant from the Department of Defense to explore the cellular underpinnings of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC), a developmental disorder characterized by the growth of benign tumors throughout the body, most notably in the brain.
Young children with TSCoften have seizures, learning disabilities, behavioral issues, and a high rate of autism. A hallmark of the disorder is the presence of growths in the brain called subependymal giant cell astrocytomas (SEGAs). SEGAs can block cerebrospinal fluid flow resulting in hydrocephalus, behavioral changes, nausea, headaches, seizures, and are a cause of mortality. SEGAs can be surgically removed, however, their presence in infancy usually precludes immediate removal. Early intervention improves prognosis.
About a third of the TSC cases are inherited from a parent, while about two thirds of cases arise during in utero development, said Feliciano, of biological sciences. There are clues leading to a TSC diagnosis. For example, an infant may have seizures characterized by a head bobbing motion that almost looks like he or she is nodding off, skin lesions, and red bumps comprised of blood vessels on the face, especially on the nose and cheeks.
According to Feliciano, scientists know that TSC occurs because of a mutation on either the TSC1 or TSC2 gene. These genes normally produce proteins that stop cell growth via the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. However, TSC1 or TSC2 mutations result in excessive mTOR activity and cell growth.
Coronal section of a mouse brain olfactory bulb genetically modified by in vivo neural stem cell electroporation (blue, old neurons; cyan, young neurons; magenta, nuclei of all cells).Image Credit: Courtesy of Victoria Riley
In the course of the three-year project, Feliciano will generate a novel mouse model of TSC, characterize the molecular pathways in this model, and test two potential drug therapies to evaluate their effectiveness on treating these harmful SEGAs.
The model will have mutations engineered in the neural stem cells of newborn mice. When these stem cells divide, the cellular progeny will be deficient in the Tsc2 gene, mimicking the human disease. These mice will also express an inducible fluorescent protein allowing the altered cells to be tracked by microscopy.
Well be able to closely examine how the SEGAs form in this model, Feliciano said. We can examine the cell types and cellular processes that are altered, and we can study how the biochemical pathways are altered within the SEGA cells.
While we have developed other models of TSC, none to date fully recapitulate SEGAs, Feliciano added. Having a SEGA model is important because it allows one to interrogate the molecular pathways and identify mechanisms of pathogenesis. In the final step of the project, Feliciano will test the effectiveness of two potential therapies which may stop the formation of SEGAs.
TSC is a relatively rare disorder, occurring in one out of every 6,000 births. TSC provides a framework to understand the pathways that orchestrate normal brain development. Many other diseases are also characterized by changes to the same pathways, although the causative genes are unknown. Therefore, the results of this research will be applicable to additional diseases, said Feliciano, citing cancer and epilepsy as two examples.
This research is supported by the Department of Defense Award Number W81XWH-19-TSCRP-IDA. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the DoD.
Continued here:
Feliciano receives $667K DOD grant to explore developmental disorder that causes tumors in the body and brain - Clemson Newsstand
- Biology (BIOL) < University of South Carolina - December 18th, 2022
- Hurricane Ian Preparation Considerations for South Carolina Fruit and ... - October 4th, 2022
- Cucumber, Squash, Melon & Other Cucurbit Insect Pests - July 3rd, 2022
- Colonial Heights community rally to find missing dog while owners are out of state - Progress Index - July 21st, 2021
- Cancer Stem Cells Market Production, Sales And Consumption Status And Prospects Professional Automotive Information and Safety System Market Research... - July 21st, 2021
- Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) Market Analytical Overview, Growth Factors, Demand and Trends Forecast to 2027 The Manomet Current - The Manomet Current - July 21st, 2021
- The Chronicle of the Horse - The Chronicle of the Horse - December 12th, 2020
- SC Stem Cell: Regenerative Medicine: Columbia, SC - December 9th, 2020
- Impact Of Outbreak Of Coronavirus (Covid-19) On Synthetic Stem Cells Market 2020 Growth Factors | Strategic Analysis | Increasing Demand With Top Key... - September 5th, 2020
- The Latest: UN urges $2.4 billion in aid for war-torn Yemen - The Associated Press - June 4th, 2020
- Q&A on COVID-19 Antibody Tests - FactCheck.org - April 27th, 2020
- Another year in isolation? That's great news for one San Diego family - The San Diego Union-Tribune - April 11th, 2020
- Synthetic Stem Cells Market Size 2020 Global Industry Share, Top Players, Opportunities And Forecast To 2026 - News Times - March 9th, 2020
- Orgel, others push city for help with loss of HealthPlus pool - Auburn Villager - January 25th, 2020
- Reviewing Aeterna Zentaris Inc. (AEZS)'s and Magenta Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:MGTA)'s results - The CoinGlobalist - December 13th, 2019
- Contrasting of VistaGen Therapeutics Inc. (VTGN) and Aeterna Zentaris Inc. (NASDAQ:AEZS) - The Broch Herald - December 3rd, 2019
- South Carolina toddler survives rare cancer and the risky procedure used to treat it - USA TODAY - November 29th, 2019
- Global Synthetic Stem Cells Market 2019-2024 Business Insights and Sustainable Growth in Respective Industry - News Carve - November 29th, 2019
- HUCT STEM CELL THERAPY - regenmedsc.com - April 15th, 2019
- Practical Problems with Embryonic Stem Cells - usccb.org - March 17th, 2019
- Stem Cell Greenville South Carolina 29601 - January 11th, 2019
- Stem Cell North Myrtle Beach South Carolina 29582 - January 8th, 2019
- Stem Cell Seneca South Carolina 29678 - September 25th, 2018
- Jim DeMint - Wikipedia - September 25th, 2018
- Stem Cell Florence South Carolina 29506 - September 20th, 2018
- Stem Cell North Charleston South Carolina 29405 - July 27th, 2018
- Cell Biology and Anatomy - University of South Carolina - July 14th, 2018
- Transplantation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells into the ... - October 14th, 2017
- Research | Lupus Foundation of America - September 28th, 2017
- Binge-Watching TV? You May Not Sleep Well - HealthCentral.com - August 21st, 2017
- Let's Use Pigs as Organ Donors - First Things - August 21st, 2017
- Cancer Stem Cell Biology and Therapy | South Carolina ... - July 30th, 2017
- Stem Cell Columbia South Carolina 29201 - July 30th, 2017
- Tech firms all-in for biofabrication with launch of Kamen's Manchester ARMI project - The Union Leader - July 30th, 2017
- Stem Cell Charleston South Carolina 29401 - July 4th, 2017
- stem cells - Research | Lupus Foundation of America - August 22nd, 2016
- Health Sciences South Carolina - October 19th, 2015
- Deanna Smith - University of South Carolina - April 18th, 2015
- Researchers Find Link Between Inflammation, Tissue Regeneration and Wound Repair Response - February 26th, 2015
- Cancer Stem Cells - University of South Carolina - February 17th, 2015
- Will Jadeveon Clowney Return To Form After Microfracture Surgery? Timetable, Recovery Hard To Predict, Expert Says - December 13th, 2014
- Let's face it, Democrats - you are not going to win any popularity contests in South Carolina - November 7th, 2014
- Analysis of the Global Stem Cell Market - wistv.com ... - October 20th, 2014
- Stem Cell Therapy for Spine Injuries at The Southeastern ... - October 13th, 2014
- A Squirt of Stem Cell Gel Heals Brain Injuries | Popular ... - September 27th, 2014
- Greenville SC Resources - Stem Cells: Get Facts on Uses ... - September 8th, 2014
- Charleston SC Resources - Stem Cells: Get Facts on Uses ... - August 29th, 2014
- University of South Carolina - News - August 22nd, 2014