Project One: Inhibitory and immunomodulatory properties of human choroid plexus epithelial cells and Project Two: Characterisation of human mesenchymal stromal cells from different sources and the effects of therapeutic ultrasound

Project 1: The blood-cerebrospinal fluid-barrier, including choroid plexus epithelial cells (CPEC), is the major site of homeostatic leukocyte trafficking into the CNS; however it is unknown whether CPEC can alter T cell function or recruit T cells as suggested by the dominance of central memory T cells in the CSF. This study investigated whether CPEC inhibit CD4+ T cell proliferation, and if CPEC can influence CD4+ T cell migration, using human amniotic epithelial cells (AEC) as a comparison. Results demonstrate a strong immunosuppressive role for both CPEC and AEC. Both cell types preferentially recruit central memory CD4+ T cells suggesting that cells from immune privileged sites may universally employ this mechanism of immune surveillance. Project 2: Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) may possess different behaviours depending on their source. Also, previous studies suggest that therapeutic ultrasound may further influence cell behaviour. MSC from adult (bone marrow, adipose and dental pulp) and foetal (amnion) sources were compared and the effects of ultrasound were investigated. Proliferative capacity, differentiation potential, gene expression and growth factor secretion varied between MSC types, suggesting that MSC from different sources may possess specialised characteristics. Ultrasound had no effect on proliferation or viability but may enhance immunomodulatory and stemness properties of some MSC types