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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Tnf-Like Weak Inducer Of Apoptosis (Tweak) : Not So Weak After All., Joseph Dekward Mcmillan Iv
Tnf-Like Weak Inducer Of Apoptosis (Tweak) : Not So Weak After All., Joseph Dekward Mcmillan Iv
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Background: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) is a proinflammatory cytokine belonging to the TNF super family. TWEAK produces a variety of cellular responses through the binding to fibroblast growth factor inducible 14 (Fn14), a member of TNF receptor superfamily. Although Fn14 lacks a death domain, TWEAK has been found to induce apoptosis in some cell types by perturbing the activity of certain pathways such as TNF-receptor signaling. TWEAK is also known to regulate proliferation and differentiation of myogenic cells. We have previously reported that the TWEAK-Fn14 system causes skeletal muscle wasting both in vitro and in …
A Systems Biology Approach Identifies A Gene Regulatory Network In Parotid Acinar Cell Differentiation., Melissa Ann Metzler
A Systems Biology Approach Identifies A Gene Regulatory Network In Parotid Acinar Cell Differentiation., Melissa Ann Metzler
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Objective: This project sought to understand the gene regulatory networks that drive parotid salivary gland acinar cells to terminally differentiate, and drive expression of terminal differentiation genes in dedifferentiated ParC5 cells. Methodology: Laser capture microdissection was used to isolate acinar cells at multiple time points during differentiation. This important step allowed us to measure gene expression in a single and important cell type. A systems biology approach was taken to measure global mRNA and microRNA expression across acinar cell terminal differentiation in the rat parotid salivary gland. In ParC5 cells, the ER stress activator tunicamycin was used to stimulate Xbp1 …
Role Of Microrna-21 In Atherogenesis., Rihab Hamed-Berair
Role Of Microrna-21 In Atherogenesis., Rihab Hamed-Berair
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) is an evolutionarily conserved microRNA, abundant in most cardiovascular tissues. It has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several cardiovascular diseases including restenosis, myocardial infarction, and heart failure. However, little is known about the contribution of miR-21 in atherosclerosis. My data show that expression of miR-21 is increased by >1.5-fold in murine atherosclerotic lesions and by 1.5-2.0-fold in the macrophages of Western diet (WD)-fed LDLR-KO mice (for 12-20 weeks). In vitro, LDL, oxidized LDL, acetylated LDL and LPS induced miR-21 by 2-4-fold and down-regulated its target protein, PDCD4, in bone marrow-derived macrophages. Basally, macrophages isolated from miR-21-KO …
Modulation Of Cell Death Signaling And Cell Proliferation By The Interaction Of Homoserine Lactones And Paraoxonase 2., Aaron Mackallan Neely
Modulation Of Cell Death Signaling And Cell Proliferation By The Interaction Of Homoserine Lactones And Paraoxonase 2., Aaron Mackallan Neely
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Pseudomonas aeruginosa produces N-(3-oxododecanoyl)-homoserine lactone (C12) as a quorum-sensing molecule that functions to facilitate bacteria-bacteria communication. C12 has also been reported to affect many aspects of human host cell physiology, including evoking cell death in various types of cells. However, the signaling pathway(s) leading to C12-triggerred cell death remains unclear. To clarify cell death signaling induced by C12, we examined mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) deficient in one or more caspases. Our data indicate that, unlike most apoptotic inducers, C12 evokes a novel form of apoptosis in cells, probably through the direct induction of mitochondrial membrane permeabilization. Previous studies indicate that …