Translational Cell Therapy Lab
Meet Mitra Lavasani, PhD
Get to know Dr. Mitra Lavasani and learn about the groundbreaking research she is conducting.
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Video: The Future of Osteoarthritis
Learn how Dr. Lavasani's research is working to optimize the non-operative treatment of individuals with knee osteoarthritis to avoid or delay the need for total joint replacement.
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Selected Publications
Systemic Transplantation of Adult Multipotent Stem Cells Functionally Rejuvenates Aged Articular Cartilage.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common and debilitating joint disease of advanced age and has no universally effective therapy. Here, we demonstrate that systemic transplantation of adult multipotent muscle-derived stem/progenitor cells (MDSPCs)-isolated from young mice-rejuvenates the knee articular cartilage (AC) of naturally aged mice. This intervention reduced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (Tnf and Il1a) and catabolic matrix-degrading proteinases (Mmp3 and Mmp13) in aged…
read moremTOR signaling plays a critical role in the defects observed in muscle-derived stem/progenitor cells isolated from a murine model of accelerated aging.
read moreBiologic strategies to improve nerve regeneration after peripheral nerve repair.
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Meet Midwest Regional Spinal Cord Injury Model System research assistant, Kelly Keel
Meet Kelly Keel, her role involves working with people who are at an especially difficult time in their lives– spinal cord injury patients in inpatient rehabilitation soon after their injuries.