Date of Award
2022
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Graduate Group
Cell & Molecular Biology
First Advisor
F. Brad Johnson
Abstract
Dyskeratosis congenita (DC) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by deficiencies in telomere maintenance leading to very short telomeres and the premature onset of certain age-related diseases, including pulmonary fibrosis (PF). PF is thought to derive from epithelial failure, particularly that of type II alveolar epithelial (AT2) cells, which are highly dependent on Wnt signaling during development and adult regeneration. We use human iPSC-derived AT2 (iAT2) cells to model how short telomeres affect AT2 cells. Cultured iAT2 cells with a mutation in DKC1, the most common cause of DC, accumulate shortened, uncapped telomeres and manifest defects in the growth of alveolospheres, hallmarks of senescence, and apparent defects in Wnt signaling. The GSK3 inhibitor, CHIR99021, which mimics the output of canonical Wnt signaling, enhances telomerase activity and rescues the defects. These findings support further investigation of Wnt agonists as potential therapies for DC related pathologies. Furthermore, this thesis describes the development of a transplantation of iAT2 cells into immunocompromised mice as well as the development of a novel iPS line with another DC mutation.
Recommended Citation
Fernandez, Rafael Jesus, "Gsk3 Inhibition Rescues Growth And Telomere Dysfunction In Dyskeratosis Congenita Ipsc-Derived Type Ii Alveolar Epithelial Cells" (2022). Publicly Accessible Penn Dissertations. 5620.
https://repository.upenn.edu/edissertations/5620
Additional Files
Key Resource Table.xlsx (13 kB)SupplementaryFile1-PathwaysUpregulatedMutantD70andIPF.xlsx (14 kB)
SupplementaryFile2-MUTvWTD70GSEA.xlsx (890 kB)
SupplementaryFile3-IPAExportMUTvWTD70.xlsx (1198 kB)
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