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Parasympathetic Nerve Derived Exosomes Inhibit Hyperglycemia Induced Apoptosis In Cardiomyoblast Cells, Reetish K. Singla Jan 2018

Parasympathetic Nerve Derived Exosomes Inhibit Hyperglycemia Induced Apoptosis In Cardiomyoblast Cells, Reetish K. Singla

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Diabetic cardiomyopathy involves both forms of cardiac cell cell death such as apoptosis and necrosis. However, this remains unknown whether hyperglycemia induced apoptosis in the cell culture system is inhibited by parasympathetic nerve derived exosomes. We isolated parasympathetic and sympathetic nerves and derived exosomes. We developed hyperglycemia induced apoptosis in H9c2 cells. H9c2 cells were divided into 4 groups: 1) Control, 2) H9c2+ Glucose 100 mmol, 3) H9c2+ Glucose +parasympathetic-exo, 4) H9c2+ Glucose+sympathetic-exo. We determined cell proliferation and viability with MTT assay kit and apoptosis with TUNEL staining and cell death detection ELISA kit. Data was further confirmed with pro-apoptotic …


The Role Of The Intermembrane Domain Of Mulan In Mitophagy And Cell Death, Jared M. Herbert Jan 2016

The Role Of The Intermembrane Domain Of Mulan In Mitophagy And Cell Death, Jared M. Herbert

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Mulan is an E3 ubiquitin ligase and an E3 SUMO ligase embedded in the outer mitochondrial membrane. Mulan plays a major role in various cell processes including cell growth, mitophagy, apoptosis, and mitochondrial dynamics. In addition, its deregulation is involved in the development and progression of several human disorders such as neurodegeneration and heart disease. There are two main discernible domains in Mulan: a large cytoplasmic domain that encodes the RING-finger motif and carries out the catalytic activity of the protein; the second domain of Mulan is exposed to the intermembrane space of mitochondria, and its function remains unknown. This …


Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles Sensitize Pancreatic Cancer Cells To Radiation By Promoting Acidic Ph, Ros, And Jnk Dependent Apoptosis, Melissa Wason Jan 2013

Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles Sensitize Pancreatic Cancer Cells To Radiation By Promoting Acidic Ph, Ros, And Jnk Dependent Apoptosis, Melissa Wason

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Side effects of radiation therapy (RT) remain the most challenging issue for pancreatic cancer treatment. In this report we determined whether and how cerium oxide nanoparticles (CONPs) sensitize pancreatic cancer cells to RT. CONP pretreatment enhanced radiation-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production preferentially in acidic cell-free solutions as well as acidic human pancreatic cancer cells. In acidic environments, CONPs favor the scavenging of superoxide radical over the hydroxyl peroxide resulting in accumulation of the latter whereas in neutral pH CONPs scavenge both. CONP treatment prior to RT markedly potentiated the cancer cell apoptosis both in culture and in tumors and …


The Role Of Mitochondrial Omi/Htra2 Protease In Protein Quality Control And Mitophagy, Camilla Ambivero Jan 2013

The Role Of Mitochondrial Omi/Htra2 Protease In Protein Quality Control And Mitophagy, Camilla Ambivero

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Omi/HtrA2 is a mitochondrial serine protease with a dual and opposite function depending on its subcellular localization. Most of the previous studies focused on Omi/HtrA2’s pro-apoptotic function when the protein is released to the cytoplasm. It is becoming apparent that the main function of Omi/HtrA2 is within the mitochondria, where it has a pro-survival role. However, its mechanism is still poorly understood. To this end, we used the yeast two-hybrid system to dissect the Omi/HtrA2 pathway by identifying novel interactors and substrates. Our studies revealed a novel function of Omi/HtrA2 in the regulation of a deubiquitinating (DUB) complex. In addition …


The Dynamic Functions Of Bax Are Dependent On Key Structural And Regulatory Features, Rebecca Boohaker Jan 2012

The Dynamic Functions Of Bax Are Dependent On Key Structural And Regulatory Features, Rebecca Boohaker

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Bax is an essential mediator of cell fate. Since its discovery in 1985 as a protein that interacts with the anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl-2, key elements related to its function, structure and regulation remains to be determined. To this end, mitochondrial metabolism was examined in non-apoptotic Bax-deficient HCT-116 cells as well as primary hepatocytes from Bax-deficient mice. Although mitochondrial density and mitochondrial DNA content was the same in Bax-containing and Bax -deficient cells, MitoTracker staining patterns differed, suggesting the existence of Bax -dependent functional differences in mitochondrial physiology. Oxygen consumption and cellular ATP levels were reduced in Bax -deficient cells, while …


Transplantation Of Pluripotent Stem Cells Confers Cardiac Protection In Dox-Induced Heart Failure Through Notch-1 Pathway, Hilda Merino-Chavez Jan 2012

Transplantation Of Pluripotent Stem Cells Confers Cardiac Protection In Dox-Induced Heart Failure Through Notch-1 Pathway, Hilda Merino-Chavez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Doxorubicin (DOX) is the antineoplastic drug of preference used to treat a wide variety of malignancies, with high survival rates among treated patients. However, the benefits of this drug have become less appealing due to the side effects that occur such as DOX-induced cardiomyopathy (DIC) and an increased risk of myocardial infarction (MI). Therefore, there is an urgent need to explore the therapeutic options to treat DIC. In this context, adult stem cells have been used as a source to reduce cardiomyocyte apoptosis in DIC; however, the effects of transplanted embryonic stem (ES) cells and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells …


Signals Delivered By Interleukin-7 Regulate The Activities Of Bim And Jund In T Lymphocytes, Shannon Moore Ruppert Jan 2012

Signals Delivered By Interleukin-7 Regulate The Activities Of Bim And Jund In T Lymphocytes, Shannon Moore Ruppert

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is an essential cytokine for lymphocyte growth that has the potential for promoting proliferation and survival. While the survival and proliferative functions of IL-7 are well established, the identities of IL-7 signaling components in pathways other than JAK/STAT, that accomplish these tasks remain poorly defined. To this end, we used IL-7 dependent T-cells to examine those components necessary for cell growth and survival. Our studies revealed two novel signal transducers of the IL-7 growth signal: BimL and JunD. IL-7 promoted the activity of JNK (Jun N-terminal Kinase), and that JNK, in turn, drove the expression of JunD, a …


Biophysical Characterization Of The Membrane Binding Domain Of The Pro-Apoptotic Protein Bax, Pranav Garg Jan 2011

Biophysical Characterization Of The Membrane Binding Domain Of The Pro-Apoptotic Protein Bax, Pranav Garg

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The BCL-2 family of proteins tightly regulates the delicate balance between life and death. The pore forming Bax is a pro-apoptotic member belonging to this protein family. At the onset of apoptosis, monomeric cytoplasmic Bax translocates to the outer mitochondrial membrane, forms oligomeric pores thereby letting mitochondrial cytochrome c enter the cytosol and initiate the apoptotic cascade. The C-terminal "helix 9" is thought to mediate the membrane binding of BAX. A 20-amino acid peptide corresponding to Bax C-terminus (VTIFVAGVLTASLTIWKKMG) and two mutants where the two lysines are replaced with Glu (charge reversal mutant, EE) or Leu (charge neutralization mutant, LL) …


Distinct Domains Of Bax Are Involved In Mitochondrial Bioenergetics And Apoptosis, Ge Zhang Jan 2011

Distinct Domains Of Bax Are Involved In Mitochondrial Bioenergetics And Apoptosis, Ge Zhang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Apoptosis is essential for cellular homeostasis and is also a pathologic feature of various diseases. The balance between Bcl-2 family proteins determines whether a cell will live or die. Bax, a member of the BCL-2 family proteins, is a pro-apoptotic protein that exists in both a soluble, cytoplasmic form and a membrane-bound form. Upon apoptotic stimuli, Bax undergoes a conformational change and translocates to the mitochondria, initiating apoptotic events. However, little is known about whether Bax is involved in the regulation of mitochondrial function under non-apoptotic conditions, and how Bax binds to mitochondria to exert its activity. Here, we investigate …


Genetically Modified Es Cells Enhance Cardiac Repair And Regeneration In The Infarcted Heart, Carley E. Glass Jan 2011

Genetically Modified Es Cells Enhance Cardiac Repair And Regeneration In The Infarcted Heart, Carley E. Glass

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Transplanted embryonic stem (ES) cells following myocardial infarction (MI) contribute to limited cardiac repair and regeneration with improved function. Therefore novel strategies are still needed to enhance the efficacy by which ES cells differentiate into cardiac cell types and inhibit adverse remodeling in the infarcted myocardium. Our studies evaluate whether genetic manipulation of transplanted ES cells employing miR- 1, a pro-cardiac microRNA, and TIMP-1, an anti-apoptotic and anti-fibrotic protein, will enhance cardiac myocyte differentiation, inhibit native cardiac apoptosis, and reduce fibrosis in the infarcted myocardium. Furthermore, we assess levels of associated pro- (caspase-3, PTEN) and anti-(Akt) apoptotic proteins as well …


The Sheddase Activity Of Adam10/Adam17 On Cxcl16 Increases Proliferation And Survival Of Colorectal Cancer Cells, Tamu C. Talton Jan 2011

The Sheddase Activity Of Adam10/Adam17 On Cxcl16 Increases Proliferation And Survival Of Colorectal Cancer Cells, Tamu C. Talton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

CXCL16 is an interferon-inducible chemokine of the CXC-subfamily and functions as an adhesion molecule, when membrane bound, and a chemoattractant when soluble. Upregulation of cell associated CXCL16 (cCXCL16) in colorectal cancer is associated with increased tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and good prognosis. ADAM10 and ADAM17 are metalloproteinases responsible for cleaving CXCL16, releasing soluble CXCL16 (sCXCL16) and contributing to proliferation and migration of mesangial cells, in kidney inflammatory disease. We hypothesize that cCXCL16 is a substrate for ADAM10 and ADAM17 cleavage in colorectal cancer, releasing sCXCL16, which mediates cell proliferation. To this end, we first identified CXCL16 in the human colon carcinoma …


Transplantation Of Ips Cells Reduces Apoptosis And Fibrosis And Improves Cardiac Function In Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats, Sarah Elizabeth Neel Jan 2010

Transplantation Of Ips Cells Reduces Apoptosis And Fibrosis And Improves Cardiac Function In Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats, Sarah Elizabeth Neel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes leads to various complications including cardiomyopathy. Recent data suggests transplanted bone marrow stem cells improve cardiac function in diabetic cardiomyopathy. However, whether modified ES, iPS cells, or factors released from these cells can inhibit apoptosis and fibrosis remains completely unknown. The present study was designed to determine the effects of transplanted ES cells overexpressing pancreatic transcription factor 1 a (Ptf1a), a propancreatic endodermal transcription factor, iPS cells, or their respective conditioned media (CM) on diabetic cardiomyopathy. Methods: Experimental diabetes was induced in male Sprague Dawley rats (8-10 weeks old) by intraperitoneal STZ injections (65 mg/kg …


Studies On A Novel Human Cardiospecific Transcription Factor And Its Involvement In Omi/Htra2 Mediated Cell Death, Meenakshi Puthucode Balakrishnan Jan 2010

Studies On A Novel Human Cardiospecific Transcription Factor And Its Involvement In Omi/Htra2 Mediated Cell Death, Meenakshi Puthucode Balakrishnan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Omi/HtrA2 is a mitochondrial serine protease that is known to translocate to the cytoplasm upon induction of apoptosis and to activate caspase-dependent and caspase-independent cell death. The molecular mechanism of Omi/HtrA2's function is not clear but involves degradation of specific substrates. These substrates include cytoplasmic, mitochondrial, as well as nuclear proteins. We have isolated a new Omi/HtrA2 interactor, the THAP5 protein. THAP5 is a fifth member of a large family of transcription factors that are involved in cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle control, chromosome segregation, chromatin modification and transcriptional regulation. THAP5 is an approximately 50kDa nuclear protein, with a restricted …