Medical Immunology Commons^™

Attenuation Of Relapsing Fever Neuroborreliosis In Mice By Il-17a Blockade, Meihui Cheng, Jingwen Xu, Kaiyun Ding, Jing Zhang, Wei Lu, Jiansheng Liu, Jiahong Gao, Kishore R Alugupalli, Hongqi Liu

Department of Microbiology and Immunology Faculty Papers

Relapsing fever due to Borrelia hermsiiis characterized by recurrent bacteremia episodes. However, infection of B. hermsii, if not treated early, can spread to various organs including the central nervous system (CNS). CNS disease manifestations are commonly referred to as relapsing fever neuroborreliosis (RFNB). In the mouse model of B. hermsiiinfection, we have previously shown that the development of RFNB requires innate immune cells as well as T cells. Here, we found that prior to the onset of RFNB, an increase in the systemic proinflammatory cytokine response followed by sustained levels of IP-10 concurrent with the CNS disease phase. RNA sequencing …

Detailing The Effects Of Cbd On Parp And Survivin Expression In Ewing Sarcoma, Tyler Carter

Theses

Ewing sarcoma (ES) is an aggressive pediatric bone cancer with low five-year survival rates, particularly with recurrent disease because ES often becomes resistant to chemotherapy in these recurrences. Cannabidiol (CBD) has been identified as a potentially promising therapeutic for patients with ES. In other cancer types, CBD has demonstrated effects on two major proteins that contribute to chemotherapy resistance. The first, Poly (ADP-ribose) Polymerase I (PARP1), is a DNA damage repair enzyme that is overexpressed in recurrent ES. Though chemotherapy induces DNA damage in these cancer cells, the high levels of PARP1 facilitate repair of the DNA, allowing the mutated …

Modulation Of The Nf-Κb Activation Pathway By Phycocyanobilin From Spirulina Platensis: An In Silico Study, Febriana Catur Iswanti, Hastuti Handayani S Purba, Ani Retno Prijanti, Fadilah Fadilah, Linda Herlina, Reni Paramita

Makara Journal of Science

Several studies have predicted the molecular interactions of the active ingredient of Spirulina platensis as an anti-inflammatory compound. However, these interaction studies did not review the modulation of the NF-κB activation pathway, which involves various factors. This study demonstrated the potential of the bioactive compounds of S. platensis for modulating immune function by reducing inflammation through the inhibition of the NF-κB activation pathway. Phycocyanobilin was predicted to have good potential for molecular docking with multisubunit IκB kinase (IKK)1/IKKA, IKK2/IKKB, NF-κB-inducing kinase, and the IκBα/NF-κB complex. Furthermore, β-carotene exhibited good potential for interactions with NF-κB essential modulator/IKK and the NF-κB complex, …

Cov-Inception: Covid-19 Detection Tool Using Chest X-Ray, Aswini Thota, Ololade Awodipe, Rashmi Patel

SMU Data Science Review

Since the pandemic started, researchers have been trying to find a way to detect COVID-19 which is a cost-effective, fast, and reliable way to keep the economy viable and running. This research details how chest X-ray radiography can be utilized to detect the infection. This can be for implementation in Airports, Schools, and places of business. Currently, Chest imaging is not a first-line test for COVID-19 due to low diagnostic accuracy and confounding with other viral pneumonia. Different pre-trained algorithms were fine-tuned and applied to the images to train the model and the best model obtained was fine-tuned InceptionV3 model …

Pre-Exposure To Mrna-Lnp Inhibits Adaptive Immune Responses And Alters Innate Immune Fitness In An Inheritable Fashion, Zhen Qin, Aurélie Bouteau, Christopher Herbst, Botond Z. Igyártó

Department of Microbiology and Immunology Faculty Papers

Hundreds of millions of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA-LNP vaccine doses have already been administered to humans. However, we lack a comprehensive understanding of the immune effects of this platform. The mRNA-LNP-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccine is highly inflammatory, and its synthetic ionizable lipid component responsible for the induction of inflammation has a long in vivo half-life. Since chronic inflammation can lead to immune exhaustion and non-responsiveness, we sought to determine the effects of pre-exposure to the mRNA-LNP on adaptive immune responses and innate immune fitness. We found that pre-exposure to mRNA-LNPs or LNP alone led to long-term inhibition of the adaptive immune response, which …

Is Strongyloides Stercoralis Hyperinfection Induced By Gglucocorticoids A Result Of Both Suppressed Host Immunity And Altered Parasite Genetics?, De'broski R Herbert, Jonathan D C Stoltzfus, Heather L Rossi, David Abraham

Department of Microbiology and Immunology Faculty Papers

The gastrointestinal (GI) nematode Strongyloides stercoralis (S.s.) causes human strongyloidiasis, a potentially life-threatening disease that currently affects over 600 million people globally. The uniquely pernicious aspect of S.s. infection, as compared to all other GI nematodes, is its autoinfective larval stage (L3a) that maintains a low-grade chronic infection, allowing undetectable persistence for decades. Infected individuals who are administered glucocorticoid therapy can develop a rapid and often lethal hyperinfection syndrome within days. Hyperinfection patients often present with dramatic increases in first- and second-stage larvae and L3a in their GI tract, with L3a widely disseminating throughout host organs leading to sepsis. How …

Defining The Cooperation Between Mhc-I And Mhc-Ii Neoantigen-Driven T Cell Responses To Develop Effective Personalized Immunotherapies, Charmelle Williams

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Immune checkpoint therapy (ICT) (e.g. anti-CTLA-4 (α-CTLA-4), anti-PD-1 (α-PD-1)) enables durable T cell-dependent anti-tumor immunity in certain cancer patients. Since a subset of patients respond to ICT, this work aims at developing a more in-depth understanding of T-cell responses to MHC class I (MHC-I) and MHC class II (MHC-II) tumor antigens that are derived from aberrant expression of non-mutant antigens or driver and passenger somatic alterations that can function as tumor neoantigens. We used a poorly immunogenic Braf^v600e Pten^-/- Cdkn2a^-/- YUMM1.7 (Y1.7) murine melanoma line with a paucity of endogenous neoantigens that is unresponsive to ICT, and …

"Don't Look Up" Your Science-Herd Immunity Or Herd Mentality?, Botond Z Igyártó

Department of Microbiology and Immunology Faculty Papers

This analysis piece will attempt to examine some of the critical pandemic-related measures implemented in the United States from an immunological perspective and pinpoint caveats that should have been considered before their implementation. I also discuss alternative measures grounded in scientific data that were not thoroughly explored and likely could have helped fight the pandemic.

Real-World Third Covid-19 Vaccine Dosing And Antibody Response In Patients With Hematologic Malignancies, Michael A. Thompson, Sigrun Hallmeyer, Veronica E. Fitzpatrick, Yunqi Liao, Michael P. Mullane, Stephen C. Medlin, Kenneth Copeland, James L. Weese

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: This study sought to describe the changes in immune response to a third dose of either Pfizer’s or Moderna’s COVID-19 mRNA vaccine (3V) among patients with hematologic malignancies, as well as associated characteristics

Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed pre-3V and post-3V data on 493 patients diagnosed with hematologic malignancies across a large Midwestern health system between August 28, 2021, and November 1, 2021. For antibody testing, S1 spike antigen of the SARS-CoV-2 virus titer was used to determine serostatus.

Results: Among 493 participants, 274 (55.6%) were seropositive both pre- and post-3V (+/+) while 115 (23.3%) seroconverted to positive …

B- And T-Cell Subset Abnormalities In Monogenic Common Variable Immunodeficiency, Saba Fekrvand, Shaghayegh Khanmohammadi, Hassan Abolhassani, Reza Yazdani

Department of Neurology Faculty Papers

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a heterogeneous group of inborn errors of immunity characterized by reduced serum concentrations of different immunoglobulin isotypes. CVID is the most prevalent symptomatic antibody deficiency with a broad range of infectious and non-infectious clinical manifestations. Various genetic and immunological defects are known to be involved in the pathogenesis of CVID. Monogenic defects account for the pathogenesis of about 20-50% of CVID patients, while a variety of cases do not have a defined genetic background. Deficiencies in molecules of B cell receptor signaling or other pathways involving B-cell development, activation, and proliferation could be associated with …

Genomic Features Underlie The Co-Option Of Sva Transposons As Cis-Regulatory Elements In Human Pluripotent Stem Cells, Samantha M Barnada, Andrew Isopi, Daniela Tejada-Martinez, Clément Goubert, Sruti Patoori, Luca Pagliaroli, Mason Tracewell, Marco Trizzino

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Faculty Papers

Domestication of transposable elements (TEs) into functional cis-regulatory elements is a widespread phenomenon. However, the mechanisms behind why some TEs are co-opted as functional enhancers while others are not are underappreciated. SINE-VNTR-Alus (SVAs) are the youngest group of transposons in the human genome, where ~3,700 copies are annotated, nearly half of which are human-specific. Many studies indicate that SVAs are among the most frequently co-opted TEs in human gene regulation, but the mechanisms underlying such processes have not yet been thoroughly investigated. Here, we leveraged CRISPR-interference (CRISPRi), computational and functional genomics to elucidate the genomic features that underlie SVA domestication …

A Single Dose Of The Deactivated Rabies-Virus Vectored Covid-19 Vaccine, Coravax, Is Highly Efficacious And Alleviates Lung Inflammation In The Hamster Model, Drishya Kurup, Christoph Wirblich, Leila Zabihi Diba, Rachael Lambert, Megan Watson, Noor Shaikh, Holly Ramage, Charalambos Solomides, Matthias J Schnell

Department of Microbiology and Immunology Faculty Papers

Without sufficient herd immunity through either vaccination or natural infection, the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic is unlikely to be controlled. Waning immunity with the currently approved vaccines suggests the need to evaluate vaccines causing the induction of long-term responses. Here, we report the immunogenicity and efficacy of our adjuvanted single-dose Rabies-vectored SARS-CoV-2 S1 vaccine, CORAVAX, in hamsters. CORAVAX induces high SARS-CoV-2 S1-specific and virus-neutralizing antibodies (VNAs) that prevent weight loss, viral loads, disease, lung inflammation, and the cytokine storm in hamsters. We also observed high Rabies VNA titers. In summary, CORAVAX is a promising dual-antigen vaccine candidate for clinical evaluation …

Antigen Staining For Detection Of Muc13 And Muc16 Expression In Carcinoma Tissue, Jose A. Benitez

MEDI 9331 Scholarly Activities Clinical Years

MUC13 and MUC16 are epithelial expressed proteins implicated in various carcinomas. Overexpression of these biomarkers appear to play a role in tumor growth; this discovery has paved a road for multiple studies discussing the potential of targeting mucin proteins and optimize immunotherapy approaches against carcinomas. Our study serves to investigate the level of expression of MUC13 and MUC16 in cancerous and normal tissue and to discuss the implications our findings may have for the utilization of these biomarkers for cancer therapy.

A Within-Host Modeling Framework For Sars-Cov-2 Infection To Support Vaccine Strategies, Morgan Rose, Rachel Jennings, Jeffry Schroeter

Biology and Medicine Through Mathematics Conference

No abstract provided.

Cathelicidin Anti-Microbial Peptide (Camp) Is Toxic During Neonatal Influenza Virus Infection, Nneka Ugwu

St. Chris Research Day

No abstract provided.

Psychological Trauma Alters T-Lymphocyte Inflammation And Redox Through Sympathetic Mechanisms, Safwan K. Elkhatib

Theses & Dissertations

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a devastating psychiatric disorder characterized by distinctive symptom clusters, including intrusive memories (i.e., flashbacks), avoidance of related stimuli, affective changes, and hyperarousal. Strikingly, patients with PTSD face a significantly increased risk for a number of inflammation-driven pathologies, ranging from cardiovascular to autoimmune disease. Yet, the exact etiology of this increased risk remains unknown. The immune system is known to be strongly influenced by the sympathetic nervous system, and sympathetic overactivity is a hallmark of PTSD. Lymphoid organs, such as the spleen, are richly innervated by sympathetic nerve fibers which terminate near adaptive immune …

A Suspected Case Of Vaccine Induced Thrombosis With Thrombocytopenia Following Sars Cov2 Vaccine, Maryam Soliman

Stratford Campus Research Day

With the new development of the SARS-CoV vaccine and the majority of the population receiving this vaccine, it is important to recognize some of the rare side effects associated with it.

VITT is a rare complication of the COVID vaccine

Diagnostic criteria: COVID vaccine 4-24 days prior to symptom onset, any venous or arterial thrombosis, thrombocytopenia <150, positive PF4 HIT ELISA, markedly elevated D-dimer >4x ULN.

Vaccine Induced Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia is a potentially life-threatening diagnosis that must be recognized and treated correctly to prevent poor outcomes.

The Role Of Obesity In Macrophage-Mediated Mechanisms Promoting Early-Onset Colon Cancer., Katharina Marietta Scheurlen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Early-onset colon cancer (EOCC) is a leading cause of cancer death among people younger than 50 years of age in the United States and is associated with metabolic dysfunction and obesity. Anti-inflammatory tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) and low Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor Gamma (PPARγ) gene expression in colon cancer (CC) tissue promote tumor progression and decreased patient survival. Obesity-related hormones, such as leptin and adiponectin, have the potential to affect gene expression in TAM to promote CC progression and thereby link obesity and EOCC. The aim of this project was to identify target genes in human CC and to investigate the …

Variations In Antibody Response To Aspergillus Fumigatus Inhalation In Mice, Andrea Wells

Student Academic Conference

Studies have configured immunological responses to Aspergillus fumigatus in mice, leading to advanced understandings. However, the comparisons of the immune responses between juvenile (younger than 6 weeks) male and female C57BL/6J mice after A. fumigatus exposure, remains uninvestigated. In this study, we intranasally inoculated 3 week old male and female mice with Aspergillus fumigatus spores dilution of 2 106spores per 40 l. They were exposed to the allergen once a week for 8 consecutive weeks and euthanized on day 28 post the last inoculation. As compared to our last report, we increased the sample size for each group in this …

Effect Of Smac Mimetics On Human T Cell Proliferation And Cytokine Production, Ashley Burton

Biology Undergraduate Publications, Presentations and Projects

Due to the diversity and breadth of cancer characteristics, the study and elimination of cancerous cells is a daunting task. Despite this diversity cancer cell share common characteristics such as anti‐apoptotic mechanisms and avoidance of immune destruction. The importance of the immune system in counteracting these diverse characteristics has only recently begun to be appreciated but involvement of the immune system is quickly becoming an essential component in the development of novel cancer therapies. The following study aims to elucidate the effect of SMAC mimetics, a class of targeted therapy drugs, on T cells and their potentially induced proliferation and …