This study will assess advanced biomarkers in patients with and without vaginal prolapse. Assessments will be directed at vaginal fibroblasts and adipose derived stem cells.
Vaginal biopsies and abdominal adipose harvest will be accomplished in patients undergoing vaginal hysterectomy for non-prolapse benign conditions (6) and pelvic organ prolapse (6). Samples of tissues will be divided and portions will be snap-frozen, placed into transport medium for subsequent tissue digestion, and receive paraffin processing. Cells in transport medium will be transported to the Mayo Collaborative Research building (lab of Dr. David Lott) for isolation of fibroblasts and adipose derived stem cells. The other samples will be transported to the lab of Dr. Andre van Wijnen (RST) to isolate RNA and protein for mRNA, microRNA and additional protein analysis. Isolated fibroblasts and ASC's from the lab of Dr. Lott (MCA) will be expanded and passaged 3-5 times. ASCs phenotype will be confirmed by flow cytometry. Cells lines will be duplicated and biobanked at the Mayo Clinic Rochester Biotrust and separately biobanked at the Arizona State University lab of scaffold collaborator, Dr. Stephen Massia. Additional frozen cell lines will transported to the lab of Dr. Andre van Wijnen for further processing. . All cells and materials will be used for testing and to advance the science of regenerative medicine. No biobanked cells or materials from this specific project will be used for any future intervention or treatment in humans.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
18
Mayo Clinic in Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Advanced biomarker assessments will include messenger RNA sequencing.
RNA-Seq will determine if there are differences in mRNA or exon expression between cells from prolapse and normal patients, with focus on genes involved in connective tissue metabolism (e.g., collagens, MMPs, TIMPs, myofibroblast markers).
Time frame: one year
2. Assess 3-D Biomaterial nanoscaffolds as potential carriers of ASC's to treat prolapse.
mRNA levels of ASC's in normal and prolapse patients will be assessed as markers for successful cell seeding on 3D-biomaterial nanoscaffolds and compared to cells under standard 2D-cell culture conditions that are used to generate clinical grade ASC's.
Time frame: 1.5 years
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.