Immune System Diseases Commons^™

The Role Of Regulator Of G Protein Signaling 2 In Inflammatory Cytokine Release In Endotoxemia In Mice, Xin Tong Ma

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

In sepsis, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activates toll-like receptor 4 to stimulate the release of inflammatory cytokines (e.g. tumor necrosis factor-alpha, TNF-α), leading to cardiac dysfunction. Regulator of G protein signaling 2 (RGS2) limits G protein-coupled receptor signaling by increasing the rate of G protein deactivation or inhibiting G protein-effector interactions. We hypothesized that RGS2 deficiency would enhance proinflammatory responses in endotoxemia. Adult wild-type and RGS2^-/- C57BL/6 mice and neonatal cardiomyocytes were treated with LPS and assessed for inflammatory responses and cardiac function. Myocardial TNF-α expression was higher in RGS2^-/- mice during endotoxemia. Additionally, cardiac function was impaired in …

Characterizing T Cell Phenotype In Patients With Hypersensitivity Reactions To Sulfamethoxazole And Beta-Lactam Antibiotics, Christine Caron

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Delayed drug hypersensitivity reactions (DHRs) are idiosyncratic, T-cell mediated, and can present days after exposure to the culprit drug, resulting in varying degrees of skin rashes. We hypothesize that differences in activated peripheral T cell subsets and types of mediators released produce different clinical phenotypes of drug hypersensitivity reactions to sulphnamides and beta-lactam antibiotics.

We recruited participants with previous DHRs to sulfamethoxazole or beta-lactams . Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from participants. T-cell subset proliferation and activation was assessed by T-cell specific surface markers using 3H- thymidine incorporation and flow cytometry, and secreted cytokines were measured using bead-based detection. …

Development And Evaluation Of A Heterogenous Virus-Like Particle (Vlp) Formulation To Achieve Hiv-1 Latency Reversal And Cure., Joshua P. Pankrac

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

HIV-1 is the etiological agent behind acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) – a chronic, life-threatening condition that compromises host immune function. After nearly four decades and despite ongoing global efforts, HIV-1 persists in nearly 38 million individuals worldwide. Of this population, only 60% have access to life-saving combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), clearly emphasizing the need to realize a cure. Unfortunately, the establishment of replication-competent provirus in resting CD4+ T lymphocytes represents a significant barrier to HIV-1 curative research. The viral reservoir is highly stable and has a half-life of ~44 months. Therefore, it is unlikely that infection will naturally exhaust …