Immunology and Infectious Disease Commons^™

Immunotherapy For Human Breast Cancer, Nasrah Ali Al Kamal

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Al Kamal, Nasrah. M.S. Program of Microbiology and Immunology, Wright State University, 2015.Immunotherapy for Human Breast Cancer. The study focuses on the methodologies that are used in breast cancer therapy. The review finds major evolutions of these methods and the influence they have made on the increased survival rates in cancer patients. There is also a projection of the processes that are involved in the therapy practices and the way the protocols have been improved over time. The various stages of cancer treatment project the various aspects of better performance articulations in the therapy sector. There is also reference to …

Application Of Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization For Visualization And Quantification Of Human Gastrointestinal Microbiota, Alexander M. Gordon

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The microbiota of the human gastrointestinal tract is the focus of current research due to their role in human health and disease. Modern methods characterize the communities of gut microbiota through the use of culture independent techniques. Technologies such as microarrays and next generation sequencing (NGS) determine microbial profiles by analyzing the pool of 16S ribosomal small subunit RNA genes in the community. These techniques operate through the measurement of genomic content rather than through direct analysis of cells. This approach predisposes the methods to discrepancies and bias. In contrast, the use of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to analyze …

Determining The Role Of The Ahr In Immunoglobulin Expression And Class Switch Recombination, Bassam Fawaz Kashgari

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The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated cytosolic transcription factor that regulates xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes. It mediates the toxicity of various environmental chemicals such as 2,3,7,8-tetracholorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). TCDD inhibits the differentiation of B cells into antibody-secreting cells and inhibits immunoglobulin (Ig) expression in various animal models. We have previously determined that TCDD-induced inhibition of the mouse Ig heavy chain gene (mo-Igh) is AhR-dependent. This inhibition may be mediated by binding of the AhR to dioxin response elements (DREs) within the 3'Igh regulatory region (3'IghRR) and inhibition of 3'IghRR activity, a significant transcriptional regulator of Ig expression. However, there are structural …

Silver Nanoparticles Inhibit The Binding And Replication Of Dengue Virus, Kelley J. Williams

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Dengue is an emerging hemorrhagic fever virus and widely considered the most important arbovirus in the world. The CDC and the World Health Organization estimates Dengue virus (DENV) infects 50-400 million people annually in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. More than 500 thousand of these will develop severe infection and approximately 22 thousand will lead to death. Dengue virus (DENV) is a positive-sense RNA virus that exists in 4 antigenic serotypes. An immunological phenomenon called antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) leaves a DENV victim vulnerable to increased risk of subsequent infections. Secondary infections with DENV are known to increase …

The Impact Of Hsv-1 Infection On Cell Viability, Morphology, And Cd Markers Expression By Unpolarized And Cytokine-Polarized J774a.1 Mouse Macrophages, Sarah Saad Alsharif

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Macrophages play an important role in the immune system, particularly in neutralizing pathogens via phagocytosis and the production of multiple cytokines and chemokines that control infection after exposure to specific stimuli. Macrophages exhibit two different phenotypes, M1 and M2. This study evaluated the role of Suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS)1 and SOCS3 on Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-1) infection of polarized macrophages, cell viability, cell morphology, and the expression of cell surface CD markers. I hypothesized that J774A.1 murine macrophages cells in the naive state (M0), and M1 and M2 phenotypes would display differences in CD markers CD80,CD163, and CD200R, cell …

Inhibition Of Nectin-1 And Herpes Virus Entry Mediator (Hvem) Using Monoclonal Antibodies Decreases Hsv-1 Entry Into Neuro-2a Cells, Erica Marie Rinehart

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This study examines the effects of blocking the nectin-1 and Herpes Virus Entry Mediator (HVEM) receptors on Neuro-2a (N2a) cells in order to prevent HSV-1 infection. These two receptors have been identified as a primary and secondary mode of entry for HSV-1. Since there was some debate about the correct serum level to be used in growth media for healthy N2a cells, three concentrations (2%, 5%, 10%) were used to examine relative growth and neurite development, in addition to examining possible differences in infectivity levels in all other experiments. There was a difference in general morphology, with neurite abundance and …

The Use Of Antibody-Coated Latex Beads To Determine Single Positive And Double Positive Mouse Spleen Cells Expressing Cd5 And/Or Cd19 Glycoproteins, Abdulrazzag Abdulaziz Othman

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Flow cytometry is the standard method used to diagnose, stage, and monitor patients' response to the treatment given by counting the numbers of CD5, CD19 and CD5+ CD19+ B lymphocytes. In this study, a comparison was done between numbers of single CD5+, single CD19+ and dual CD5+ CD19+ mouse spleen B lymphocytes using flow cytometry and antibody-latex beads. The bead method involved antibody-coated latex bead and yielded results similar to those of flow cytometry. For cells exhibiting both markers (CD5+ CD19+), the bead method used antibody-coated beads of two different colors yielded similar results to those of flow cytometry results. …

Glut 4 And Insulin Resistance, Salmin Ali

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Five types of glucose transporters stimulate the transport of glucose from the bloodstream into cells such as muscle cells and adipocytes in response to insulin signaling or exercise. Skeletal muscle and adipose tissue are the main sites for glucose uptake and dispose in insulin action dependent pathway. In non-insulin stimulated condition, the GLUT4 storage vesicles stay away from the plasma membrane, so there is no GLUT4 translocation or GLUT4 mediated glucose uptake. However, in insulin stimulated state, insulin initiates insulin signaling cascade which results in rapid GLUT4 translocation and increased glucose uptake at the cell surface. Failure of the translocation …

Differentiation Of U-937 Monocytes To Macrophage-Like Cells Polarized Into M1 Or M2 Phenotypes According To Their Specific Environment: A Study Of Morphology, Cell Viability, And Cd Markers Of An In Vitro Model Of Human Macrophages, Fatma Husien S. Abdulhadi

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In this study, the human leukemic monocyte lymphoma cell line U-937 was used as an in vitro model for monitoring monocyte/macrophage differentiation. Phorbol 12- myristate (13) (PMA) was used to activate U-937 cells into macrophage-like cells (M0). After 24 hours of PMA treatment, non- adherent U-937 cells became tightly adherent to the culture plates forming M0 cells. M0 cells were then polarized into the M1 macrophage phenotype by treatment with LPS and IFN-γ for another 24 hours. Each of the cytokines IL-4, IL-13, or IL-10 was applied separately to three M0 cultures for 24 hours to induce the M2 macrophage …

Socs1/Socs3 Expression And Virus Replication Of Denv2 And Hsv-1 In Cytokine-Polarized Subsets Of Raw 264.7 Macrophages, Nagarjuna Reddy Cheemarla

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Cytokine activation of macrophages leads to "macrophage polarizatio" The M1 subset is polarized by exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and M2 polarized cells develop after exposure to interleukin-4 (IL-4) or IL-13. In this study, the RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cell line was used to study the effect herpes simplex virus-Type I (HSV-1) and Dengue virus serotype-2 (DENV2) infections have on cultures of unpolarized (M0) or polarized subsets. The macrophage subsets were characterized using cluster of differentiation markers CD14 and CD86. Uninfected M1 macrophages showed up regulation in expression of the co-stimulatory factor B7.2 (CD86) compared to expression by …

Development Of A Co-Culture System To Mimic The Transfection Of Hsv-1 From Keratinocytes To Neuronal Cells, David A. Dixon

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To more closely mimic the in vivo progression of HSV-1 a novel in vitro method was created. In this study HEL-30 keratinocytes were infected with a 0.1 MOI of HSV-1 and plated unto a membrane with 8μm diameter pores. The membrane insert was then placed into culture wells that contained Neuro-2a cells (N2A). The neurites from the neuronal cells made cell-to-cell contact with the infected HEL-30 cells and the virus was transmitted into the neuronal cells. To determine if infection occurred in the N2A cells the cells were lysed and the lysate incubated with Vero cells to titrate virus plaque …

White Blood Cell Counts, Parasite Prevalence, And Plasma Cortisol Levels Of Dogs In A County Animal Shelter: Changes Over Days And Impact Of A Program Of Repeated Human Interaction, Emily S. Dudley

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Animal shelter housing is highly stressful for a dog, compromising welfare and leading to undesirable behaviors and unknown health consequences. We documented the changes in circulating numbers of white blood cells, plasma cortisol, and fecal parasite shedding of dogs housed for 10 days at a county animal shelter. White blood cell changes were most prominent on Day 10 after arrival to the shelter. Changes included increased total leukocytes, mature neutrophils, and lymphocytes, with less consistent increases in monocytes and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (N:L). Fecal parasite shedding was elevated and not affected by day. Cortisol levels of shelter dogs declined …

Identification Of The Sites Of Action Of Inhibitors Of Mammalian Phospholipase D2 (Pld2) And The Role Of Interacting Protein Partners, Ramya Ganesan

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Phospholipase D (PLD) is a key enzyme for the remodeling of phospholipids in the cell membrane. PLD has been implicated in many physiological functions such as chemotaxis and phagocytosis as well as pathological functions such as ischemia/reperfusion and cancer metastasis. Several small molecule inhibitors of PLD have been recently developed to overcome these pathological effects. We have concentrated on 5-Fluoro-2-Indolyl des-Chlorohalopemide (FIPI) which is an indole derivative of halopemide that inhibits the two mammalian isoforms PLD1 and PLD2. We also concentrate on N-[2-[1-(3-Fluorophenyl)-4-oxo-1,3,-8-triazaspiro[4.5]dec-8-yl]ethyl]-2-naphthalenecarboxamide (NFOT) and N-[2-(4-oxo-1-phenyl-1,3,8-triazaspiro[4,5]dec-8-yl)ethyl]-2-naphthalenecarboxamide (NOPT) that are specific inhibitors of the PLD2 isoform. In spite of knowing their …

Comparison Between Flow Cytometry And Bead Method In Counting Cd4 And Cd8 T Lymphocytes In Mouse Spleen Cells Suspension, Abdulrahman Abdalla Allabidi

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The flow cytometry is gold standard method to count CD4, CD8 human T lymphocytes, and calculate CD8 to CD4 ratio in HIV patients peripheral blood to stage them and monitor their response to treatment. In this study, a comparison was made by counting CD4and CD8 mouse spleen T lymphocytes by flow cytometry, and a method involving antibody coated latex beads. The bead method yielded results comparable to those obtained by flow cytometry. These results indicate that antibody coated beads are suitable to determine CD4 and CD8 + T lymphocytes counts in situation where flow cytometry is not readily available.

Effect Of Herpes Simplex Virus-1 On Macrophage Cd Marker Expression, Hind Obaid Albeshri

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Macrophages are specialized phagocytic cells derived from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Macrophages can assume M1 or M2 cellular states upon activation with specific cytokines. Upon activation, macrophages produce either pro- or anti- inflammatory cytokines and thereby perform their functions of antigen engulfment and debris clearance. Macrophages have several cell surface cluster differentiation (CD) markers including CD80, CD163 and CD200R that differentiate M1 macrophages from M2. Downstream signaling and cytokine production varies based on the interaction between the specific CD marker and antigen.

The present study was aimed at analyzing and comparing the effects of HSV-1 infection on un-polarized and …

Elucidating The Effects Of Tcdd On The Polymorphic Human Hs1,2 Enhancer, Abdullah Freiwan

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2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is a potent environmental toxin known to inhibit immunoglobulin (Ig) gene expression in various animal studies. We have identified the mouse 3'Ig heavy chain regulatory region (3'IgH RR) as a sensitive transcriptional target of TCDD, which may mediate the inhibitory effect of TCDD on Ig expression. Interestingly, the human hs1,2 enhancer is polymorphic and has been associated with a number of autoimmune diseases.

Suggesting a species difference, TCDD inhibited mouse hs1,2 enhancer activation and activated basal human hs1,2 (hs-hs1,2) enhancer activity in the mouse B-cell line. The objective of this study was to elucidate the effects of TCDD …

Adeno-Associated Virus (Aav) Transduction Of Primary Human Cd4+T Lymphocytes, Sahar Hussein Kamel

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Development of latent HIV-infected CD4+ T lymphocytes is the major cause of HIV treatment failure. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is an attractive vector for anti-HIV gene therapy due to its lack of pathogenicity, low immunogenicity, and persistent transgene expression. However, a major limitation for AAV gene transfer is the cell-specific tropism of each serotype. Only AAV serotypes 2 and 5 have been investigated in hematopoietic cells, both of these serotypes have shown low transduction efficiency. Since each of the currently described AAV serotypes demonstrate distinct tissue tropism, I hypothesized that other serotypes such as AAV1, 4, 8, or 9 may demonstrate …

Expression Of The Alpha, Beta, And Gamma Subunits Of The Interleukin-2 Receptor By Human Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells, Sultan Mohammed Alhayyani

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Interleukin 2 (IL-2) is a member of the cytokine family and contributes to the proliferation, survival, and death of lymphocytes [1]. The interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2) is a tripartite receptor commonly expressed on the surfaces of many lymphoid cells and is composed of three non-covalently associated subunits, alpha (CD25), beta (CD122), and gamma (CD132) [2]. Our laboratory has previously described IL-2 receptor Beta expression by vasculature smooth muscle cells (VSMC) in mice and humans [3]. The current work expands our previous observations by assessing the expression of the alpha and gamma subunits of the IL-2R by VSMCs. Analysis of IL-2R expression …

Hypoxia Inducible Factor 1 Alpha (Hif-1a): A Major Regulator Of Placental Development, Renee E. Albers

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Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1a) is a critical component of the cellular oxygen-sensing machinery and is essential for placental formation and embryonic survival. In this study, we promoted prolonged expression of HIF-1a, by using a form that is insensitive to oxygen, denoted as CA-HIF-1a. In order to have continual placental specific expression of the CA-HIF-1a, lentiviral infection was performed on embryos at the blastocyst stage of development and transferred into pseudo-pregnant mothers. Placental analysis was performed via in situ hybridization on embryonic day 14.5 (E14.5) to determine the effects of CA-HIF-1a prolonged expression. Data indicate that prolonged activity of CA-HIF-1a restricted …

Type I Interferon Activation Of Natural Killer (Nk) Cells By Cytomegalovirus (Cmv) And Their Interaction With Dendritic (Dc) And Nkt Cells, Howaida A. Oulad Abdelati

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In our current study the roles of natural killer (NK) cells in regulation of the acute phase of murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection were demonstrated. NK cells utilize perforin and gamma interferon to kill MCMV infected cells. Activation of NK cells is controlled by the balance between inhibitory and activation receptors and modulated by cytokines produced from the infected cells. Type I interferons are produced mainly by plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDCs). Type I interferons have a substantial role in enhancing NK cells cytotoxic activity and NK cells proliferation and maintain cell survival through STAT mediated signaling pathway. IL-12 produced by dendritic …

Amp-Activated Protein Kinase Knockdown In Labyrinthine Trophoblast Cells Results In Altered Morphology And Function, Erica Ashton Kayleigh Carey

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The placenta is a transient organ that develops upon initiation of pregnancy and is essential for fetal development and survival. The rodent placenta consists of three layers with predominantly analogous cell types in the human placenta. The labyrinth layer, which lies closest to the fetus, facilitates nutrient and waste exchange between mother and baby. Abnormalities of the placenta may occur as a result of cellular stress and have been associated with the pregnancy-associated disorders, intrauterine growth restriction and placental insufficiency. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a master sensor of cellular stress and changes in AMPK expression or activation could be …

The Effect Of Hsv-1 Infection On Differentiated And Polarized U937 Cells, Allolo Dreiwish Aldreiwish

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Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) challenges the host immune system through several mechanisms (Frey, et al., 2009). In vitro, U937 cells (human macrophage-like precursor cell line) are not susceptible to HSV-1 infection when they are not differentiating (Lopez-Guerrero and Alonso, 1997). Differentiation of these cells resistance can abrogates their resistance to HSV-1 (Tenney and Morahan, 1991). In this study, we examined the effect of HSV-1 infection on differentiated and polarized U937 cells. U937 cells are differentiated to M0 cells.

Then, M0 cells are polarized to distinct phenotypes, M1 or M2. M1 are proinflammatory macrophages while M2 are anti-inflammatory cells. …

Establishment Of A Quiscence Herpes Simplex Type 1 Infection In L929 Fibroblasts And Neuro-2a Cells By A Nucleoside Analogue Acyclovir, Noura Shaklawoon

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Herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) quiescent infection was established in L929 cells, murine fibroblasts, and in Neuro-2A (N2A) cells, mouse neuroblastoma, by treating them with the nucleoside analogue acyclovir (ACV) 24 hours before infection. Subsequent release of virus from the non-productive state was accomplished by treating the cells with the histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA). Treatment of both L929 and N2A cell lines with ACV 24 hours before infection induced protection from HSV-1 cytopathic effect. A quiescent state was confirmed by absence of virus plaques when supernatant fluids from ACV-treated HSV-1 infected cultures were titered on Vero cell monolayers. …

N-Glycosylation, Localization And Trafficking Of Endogenous Nkcc1 In Cos7 Cells, Richa Singh

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The Na+K+2Cl^- co-transporter-1 (NKCC1) effects the electroneutral movement of Na+, K+ and 2Cl^- ions across plasma membranes. NKCC1 is considered a widely distributed, highly N-glycosylated ion transporter involved in the regulation of the intracellular chloride concentration ([Cl^-]i), cell volume and salt secretion. NKCC1 locates in the plasma membrane of all cells studied so far, particularly on the basolateral side of most polarized cells. However, the majority of immunoreactive NKCC1 distributes in intracellular compartments of unknown nature whereas a small proportion of the transporter appears to be located in the plasma membrane. Here, we identified and characterized …

Novel Approaches For The Eradication Of Hiv Latently Infected Cells, Sally Al Ali

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The development of a suitable experimental cell model to study HIV latency in primary cells could have a massive effect on the current approaches to eradicate virus in latently infected cells. The main proposal of this paper is to develop an in vitro HIV cell model that represents HIV latency in vivo, then to create a more effective viral vector in order to target HIV reservoirs. For this goal, a directed evolution method is suggested to be used in order to mutate the AAV cap gene to generate a recombinant AAV vector that is capable of infecting primary resting CD4+ …

Conversion Of The U937 Monocyte Into "Macrophage-Like" Populations Exhibiting M1 Or M2 Characteristics, Bradley M. Sharp

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The U937 cell line is an oncogenic human monocyte cell line. These monocytes have the potential of differentiating into either macrophages or dendritic cells (Lawrence et al., 2011). This differentiation pattern depends on the characteristics of the tissue microenvironment (Kigerl et al., 2009). PMA (Phorbol 12-Myristate 13-Acetate) is a phorbol ester capable of transforming monocytic cells toward the macrophage pathway. Upon treatment with PMA, U937 cells under-go a series of morphological and functional changes. Traditionally monocytic cell lines are used as a model of macrophage function, because current human macrophage cell lines require a T-cell conditioned growth medium and contact …

Hpai H5n1: A Global Pandemic Concern, With Implications For Pandemic Preperation And Public Health Policy, Lauren M. Koontz

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Research on highly pathogenic avian influenza A (HPAI) H5N1 has gained much attention in recent years due to its devastating impact within the bird population. While transmission to humans is rare, infections are fatal in more than half of the cases. One of the main concerns among the scientific community is the ability for this virus to mutate in a way much like seasonal influeanza that would allow it to be transmitted efficiently among the human population. Two researchers were able to separately create mutant isolates of H5N1 influenza A virus that could be transmitted via the respiratory route between …

Establishment Of A Quiescent Infection Of Hsv-1 In L929 Fibroblasts Using A Mitotic Inhibitor And Ifn-Γ, Neelam V. Shinde

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The goal for this study was to determine if a quiescent infection of HSV-1 could be induced in murine fibroblasts L929 by treating them with the anti-mitotic agent 5-fluoro 2'deoxy uridine (FUDR) alone and with interferon-γ. Since neurons are post-mitotic and exhibit a lower metabolic rate than other cells, fibroblasts were treated with FUDR to induce a post-mitotic state. The cell cycle arrest of fibroblasts would decrease the thymidylate metabolism and impair HSV-1 replication. An evaluation of cytopathic effects of FUDR was used to determine the optimal concentration which arrests cell growth and inhibits viral replication. Image J program developed …

Q-Ve-Oph, A Control Caspase Inhibitor For Analyzing Neuronal Death, Rebecca L. Bricker

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Sarin is a neurotoxin that has been used in terrorist attacks in Japan and is a potential bioterrorist weapon. It induces seizures by affecting the regulation of neurotransmitters in the brain. Seizures are directly correlated to neuronal damage. Two types of neuronal damage that can occur are apoptosis and necrosis. One of the main regions of the brain where neuronal death occurs is the hippocampus, which is involved in memory. Victims showed chronic decline of memory loss 3 and 7 years after the Tokyo's terrorist attack incident. There are treatments available that can break down sarin or can block the …

The Effects Of Enteropathogenic And Commensal Escherichia Coli On Tight Junction Permeability, Hilary Kaye Allen

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The intestinal mucosa maintains a barrier between materials from the external environment and the internal environment of the host. Disruption of the gut wall integrity is involved in the development of various intestinal diseases, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Crohn's disease. The intestinal mucosa is lined with epithelial cells that are connected by tight junctions, the intercellular junctions that form a selectively permeable barrier between paracellular pathways. Enteric pathogens, such as enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC), can disrupt the tight junctions of epithelial cells by altering the cellular cytoskeleton or by directly affecting tight junction proteins. Commensal Escherichia coli …