Immunology and Infectious Disease Commons^™

Connectivity Differences Between Gulf War Illness (Gwi) Phenotypes During A Test Of Attention, Tomas Clarke, Jessie Jamieson, Patrick Malone, Rakib U. Rayhan, Stuart Washington, John W. Vanmeter, James N. Baraniuk

Department of Mathematics: Faculty Publications

One quarter of veterans returning from the 1990–1991 Persian Gulf War have developed Gulf War Illness (GWI) with chronic pain, fatigue, cognitive and gastrointestinal dysfunction. Exertion leads to characteristic, delayed onset exacerbations that are not relieved by sleep. We have modeled exertional exhaustion by comparing magnetic resonance images from before and after submaximal exercise. One third of the 27 GWI participants had brain stem atrophy and developed postural tachycardia after exercise (START: Stress Test Activated Reversible Tachycardia). The remainder activated basal ganglia and anterior insulae during a cognitive task (STOPP: Stress Test Originated Phantom Perception). Here, the role of attention …

Transcription Regulation Of Human Il1b Gene In Monocytes And Lymphoid Cd4 T Cells, Sree H. Pulugulla

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cytokines are key regulators of the inflammatory response and play an important role in facilitating intercellular communication between various immune cell types. Interleukin‑1β (IL‑1β) is a potent pro-inflammatory cytokine that is required for robust initiation of innate immune response and subsequent development of adaptive immunity. IL-1β is first synthesized as an inactive cytoplasmic, non‑glycosylated, precursor molecule (proIL‑1β) by monocytes and macrophages in response to invading pathogenic microbes. The activation of caspase‑1 by inflammasomes cleaves proIL-1β into mature biologically active IL-1β that is released from cells via a non-classical, endoplasmic reticulum‑independent secretory pathway directly from the cytoplasm via Gasdermin D membrane …

Theranostics For Antiretroviral Biodistribution And Pharmacokinetics, Brendan M. Ottemann

Theses & Dissertations

RATIONALE: Our laboratories birthed the field of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) theranostics. The new field allows simultaneous detection (diagnostics) and treatment (therapeutic) for the identification, treatment and inevitable elimination of virus in cell and tissue compartments. By employing theranostics, antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) can be tracked in lymph nodes, gut, spleen and liver. Cellular viral reservoirs including CD4+ T cell populations and mononuclear phagocytes (MP; monocytes, macrophages, microglia and dendritic cells) along with subcellular endosomal structures can now be targeted for drug delivery bringing therapeutics to areas where virus replicates. The overarching idea rests in improving precision targeted ARV delivery. …

Role Of Astrocyte-Derived Extracellular Vesicles In Neuroinflammation Mediated By Drug Abuse, Ke Liao

Theses & Dissertations

Neuronal damage and neuroinflammation is a hallmark feature of HIV-associated neurological disorders (HANDs). Opioids abuse accelerates the incidence and progression of HAND; however, the mechanisms underlying the potentiation of neuropathogenesis by these drugs remain elusive. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are essential conduits in HIV and drug abuse-mediated synaptodendritic injury and neuroinflammation. Findings from our group have demonstrated that astrocyte-derived EV (ADEV)-miRNA-29b mediates HIV Tat and morphine-induced neuronal injury, thus underscoring the importance of such interactions in NeuroHIV.

Besides, HIV Tat and morphine-mediated synaptodendritic injury via ADEVs, we are also interested in whether ADEVs contributes to neuroinflammation. Microglia are critical players in …

Generation And Utilization Of Diverse Memory B Cells After Flavivirus Challenges, Rachel Wong

Arts & Sciences Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Over the course of an effective immune response to an infection, two distinct B cell populations are generated to provide protection against reinfection, long-lived plasma cells (LLPCs) and memory B cells (MBCs). LLPCs and MBCs originate from germinal center (GC) B cells that have undergone B cell receptor (BCR) affinity maturation through iterative rounds of somatic hypermutation, proliferation, and selection. Thus, LLPCs and MBCs can bind to their antigen with higher affinity than their naïve B cell precursors. LLPCs constitutively secrete antibodies and can provide sterilizing immunity that pre-exists subsequent infections. MBCs, on the other hand, are quiescent and provide …

T Cell Immunity In Pancreatic Cancer Is Undermined By Dendritic Cell Dysfunction, Samarth Hegde

Arts & Sciences Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Pancreatic cancer carries a dismal prognosis, and desperately needs viable therapeutic interventions beyond chemo-radiation. T cell-dependent immunotherapies have shown great promise in several tumor types, but have not been effective for the vast majority of pancreatic cancer patients. This is, in part, due to our limited understanding of how antigenicity of pancreatic lesions is recognized, and how adaptive immunity is overcome in this disease. We sought to study tumor-immune interactions and identify mechanisms for this immune-failure using several spontaneous and unperturbed mouse models of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. We found that early pancreatic lesions fail to elicit tumor-limiting CD4+ TH1 and CD8+ …

The Transcription Factor Bhlhe40 Regulates Tissue-Resident Macrophages And Type 2 Immunity, Nicholas N. Jarjour

Arts & Sciences Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Transcriptional control of gene expression is essential for life, tailoring protein production to development and environment to maintain organismal homeostasis. A limited set of proteins termed transcription factors are critical to this process. As our understanding of these central regulators has improved, new aspects of cell and organismal biology have been revealed. Herein, we demonstrate the importance of the transcription factor Bhlhe40 to tissue-resident macrophages, T helper type 2 cells, and type 2 immune responses, revealing novel transcriptional control of macrophages and unexpected cytokine regulation of helminth infection. We find that Bhlhe40 is cell-intrinsically required for normal proliferation of large …

Impact Of Prevnar (Pcv13) Vaccine Recommendations In Pediatric And Immunocompetent Adults 65 Years And Older: What Are The Benefits And Risks?, James E. Watkins, Anne Marie Thibodeaux, John C. Darnell

Articles, Abstracts, and Reports

Background:

2000: PCV7 becomes the first FDA approved pneumococcal vaccine for pediatrics
2010: PCV13 recommended in pediatrics
2014: PCV13 recommended in immunocompetent adults 65+
2018: CDC looked at data since 2014 recommendation
2019: PCV13 now shared clinical decision-making

The Histoplasma Capsulatum Ddr48 Gene Is Required For Survival Within Macrophages And Resistance To Oxidative Stress And Antifungal Drugs, Logan Blancett

Dissertations

Histoplasma capsulatum(Hc)is a systemic, dimorphic fungal pathogen that affects upwards of 500,000 individuals in the United States annually. Hc grows as a multicellular mold at environmental temperatures; whereas, upon inhalation into a human or other mammalian host, it transforms into a unicellular, pathogenic yeast. The research presented in this dissertation is focused on characterizing the DNA damage-responsive gene HcDDR48. HcDDR48was originally isolated via a subtractive DNA library enriched for transcripts enriched in the mold-phase of Hcgrowth. Upon further analysis we found that HcDDR48is not just expressed in the mold morphotype, but both growth programs …

Identification Of Chromatin Regulators Perturbed In Hematopoietic Stem And Progenitor Cell Aging, Eraj S. Khokhar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As lifespan is increasing globally, there is a critical need to identify strategies to extend healthspan and prevent chronic diseases into older age. The long-term goal of my research is to identify novel strategies to ameliorate aging-induced decline in hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) function. HSCs give rise to all mature blood and immune cells. With age, HSCs undergo defects in their differentiation ability which correlates with a decline in immune function. Comprehensive knowledge of gene regulatory and epigenetic mechanisms underlying this defect is a barrier to developing therapies to ameliorate aging-associated decline in HSC function. Therefore, my project focuses on …

Role Of Topoisomerase Ii Alpha In Dna Topology And T Cell Responses During Chronic Viral Infections, Stella Chinyere Ogbu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The clearance of viruses is largely dependent upon the activation of T cells to generate a robust immune response. However, host responses are suppressed during chronic viral infections. In this thesis, we explored the role of Top2α in DNA topology in individuals with chronic HBV, HCV, and HIV infections. We found that Top2α protein expression and activity were low in T cells derived from chronically virus-infected individuals compared to healthy subjects. Using CD4⁺ T cells treated with Top2α inhibitor or poisoner as a model, we demonstrated that Top2α inhibition disrupts the DNA topology, suppresses DNA repair kinase (ATM), and …

Mosquito Diversity And Positive Pools For The West Nile Virus In Forested Versus Non-Forested Areas, Elizabeth C. Paul

Honors Projects

The West Nile virus (WNV) is one of the leading causes of mosquito borne illness in the United States (CDC, 2018). This virus is a neurotropic pathogen that can cause fever and encephalitis. It is known that the Culex species is the primary vector for WNV. Humans infected with the WNV are typically asymptomatic. There is a small portion of individuals that experience West Nile fever which could include symptoms like high fever, vision loss, and coma (CDC, 2018). Previous studies have shown that mosquitoes tend to favor forests and wetlands (Hay et al., 1998), however, it is unknown if …

Confusing A Pollen Grain With A Parasite Egg: An Appraisal Of “Paleoparasitological Evidence Of Pinworm (Enterobius Vermicularis) Infection In A Female Adolescent Residing In Ancient Tehran”, Morgana Camacho, Karl Reinhard

Karl Reinhard Publications

There is often the risk of confusing pollen grains with helminth eggs from archaeological sites. Thousands to millions of pollen grains can be recovered from archaeological burial sediments that represent past ritual, medication and environment. Some pollen grain types can be similar to parasite eggs. Such a confusion is represented by the diagnosis of enterobiasis in ancient Iran. The authors of this study confused a joint-pine (Ephedra spp.) pollen grain with a pinworm egg. This paper describes the specific Ephedra pollen morphology that can be confused with pinworm eggs.

Preface For Special Section On Archaeoparasitology: A Global Perspective On Ancient Parasites And Current Research Projects, Jong Yil Chai, Min Sea, Karl Reinhard, Dong Hoon Shin

Karl Reinhard Publications

Archaeoparasitological research has rapidly developed in recent years, entering a new stage of improved understanding of our ancestors’ parasitic infections across the world. This progress is based on a variety of recently developed research techniques. During a period of rapid innovation since 2016, there has been no much opportunity for parasitologists to gather and share in-depth views about this novel research field. This was remedied by the 14th International Congress of Parasitology (ICOPA) held in Korea (Aug. 19-24, 2018; EXCO, Daegu). For archaeoparasitologists, ICOPA provided a unique opportunity to gather and exchange research and ideas. The participation was unprecedented in …

Pinworm Infection At Salmon Ruins And Aztec Ruins: Relation To Pueblo Iii Regional Violence, Karl Reinhard, Morgana Camacho

Karl Reinhard Publications

The study of coprolites has been a theme of archaeology in the American Southwest. A feature of archaeoparasitology on the Colorado Plateau is the ubiquity of pinworm infection. As a crowd parasite, this ubiquity signals varying concentrations of populations. Our recent analysis of coprolite deposits from 2 sites revealed the highest prevalence of infection ever recorded for the region. For Salmon Ruins, the deposits date from AD 1140 to 1280. For Aztec Ruins, the samples can be dated by artifact association between AD 1182-1253. Both sites can be placed in the Ancestral Pueblo III occupation (AD 1100-1300), which included a …

Characterization Of Sensory And Shelter Enrichment In The Rodent Research Habitat, Amber M. Paul, Yasaman Shirazi-Fard, America Reyes, Moniece Lowe, Margareth Cheng-Campbell, Sungshin Choi, Eduardo Almeida, April Ronca, Ruth K. Globus

Publications

The ISS provides a platform for conducting Rodent Research (RR) in microgravity and 9 missions have been successfully conducted. The results from these experiments have begun to provide new insights into the effects of spaceflight on mammalian physiological systems. After RR-1-4, the Flight IACUC required inclusion of additional cage enrichment into the Rodent Habitats (RH) to “enhance animal well-being by providing animals with sensory and motor stimulation, through structures and resources that facilitate the expression of species typical behaviors”. A Hut, in the form of a rigid, mesh igloo-like shelter was implemented beginning with RR-5. The potential influence of the …

Modeled Microgravity Induces Neutrophil Extracellular Trap (Net)Osis Formation And Reduced Phagocytosis Of Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils, Amber M. Paul

Publications

Spaceflight can dysregulate immunity, by way of increasing granulocytes numbers with impaired function. Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) are granulocytes that are first responders to infection or injury, and consist of the largest pool of immune cells in humans. PMNs function during innate immunity, through phagocytosis and promotion of inflammation, via the release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) mediators and granule-containing enzymes, such as myeloperoxidase (MPO) and NADPH oxidase-2 (NOX-2). In addition, neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation is another mechanism of PMN surveillance that works independently of engulfment phagocytosis, and is a last resort function that can induce NETosis or PMN-specific cell …

Gravity As A Continuum: Effects Of Altered Gravity On Drosophila Melanogaster Immunity, Amber M. Paul, Joe Olivieri, Sharmila Bhattacharya

Publications

The impact of spaceflight on immune function is undoubtedly a critical focus in the area of space biology and human health research. Heat shock proteins (Hsp) are an evolutionarily conserved family of proteins that are expressed in response to cellular and physiological stressors, experienced during radiation exposure, confinement, circadian rhythm disruption, and altered gravity (hypergravity experienced at launch/landing and microgravity experienced in-flight). In particular, Hsp70 aids in the folding of proteins, facilitates the movement of proteins across the membranes during signal transductions and can stimulate innate immunity. Since Hsp70 is induced during cellular stress, and can act as a stimulator …

The Impact Of Msaabcr On Sara-Associated Phenotypes Is Different In Divergent Clinical Isolates Of Staphylococcus Aureus, Joseph S. Rom, Aura M. Ramirez, Karen E. Beenken, Gyan S. Sahukhal, Mohamed O. Elasri, Mark S. Smeltzer

Faculty Publications

The staphylococcal accessory regulator (sarA) plays an important role in Staphylococcus aureus infections including osteomyelitis, and the msaABCR operon has been implicated as an important factor in modulating expression of sarA. Thus, we investigated the contribution of msaABCR to sarA-associated phenotypes in the S. aureus clinical isolates LAC and UAMS-1. Mutation of msaABCR resulted in reduced production of SarA and a reduced capacity to form a biofilm in both strains. Biofilm formation was enhanced in a LAC msa mutant by restoring the production of SarA, but this was not true in a UAMS-1 msa mutant. Similarly, …

Viral Infections And Interferons In The Development Of Obesity, Yun Tian, Jordan Jennings, Yuanying Gong, Yongming Sang

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Research

Obesity is now a prevalent disease worldwide and has a multi-factorial etiology. Several viruses or virus-like agents including members of adenoviridae, herpesviridae, slow virus (prion), and hepatitides, have been associated with obesity; meanwhile obese patients are shown to be more susceptible to viral infections such as during influenza and dengue epidemics. We examined the co-factorial role of viral infections, particularly of the persistent cases, in synergy with high-fat diet in induction of obesity. Antiviral interferons (IFNs), as key immune regulators against viral infections and in autoimmunity, emerge to be a pivotal player in the regulation of adipogenesis. In this review, …

A Novel Cytokine Response Modulatory Function Of Mek Inhibitors Mediates Therapeutic Efficacy, Mengyu Xie

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Despite the recent success of immune-checkpoint blockade therapy for late-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), lung cancer is still the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. One of the most important characteristics of lung cancer in therapeutic decision-making are the targetable molecules, including EGFR, ALK, BRAF, and MEK. The excitement of immune-checkpoint blockade therapy has triggered concerted efforts that focus on exploring combinations of immune checkpoint therapy with other approved therapeutic regimens aiming at further augmenting positive outcomes and survival. However, the lack of understanding of underlying mechanisms and evidence-based clinical testing has hindered the progress to a cure. Hence, …

Clpc Affects The Intracellular Survival Capacity Of Staphylococcus Aureus In Non-Professional Phagocytic Cells, Gubesh Gunaratnam, Lorena Tuchscherr, Mohamed I. Elhawy, Ralph Bertram, Janina Eisenbeis, Christian Spengler, Thomas Tschernig, Bettina Löffler, Greg A. Somerville, Karin Jacobs, Mathias Herrmann, Markus Bischoff

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

Invasion and persistence of bacteria within host cells requires that they adapt to life in an intracellular environment. This adaptation induces bacterial stress through events such as phagocytosis and enhanced nutrient-restriction. During stress, bacteria synthesize a family of proteins known as heat shock proteins (HSPs) to facilitate adaptation and survival. Previously, we determined the Staphylococcus aureus HSP ClpC temporally alters bacterial metabolism and persistence. This led us to hypothesize that ClpC might alter intracellular survival. Inactivation of clpC in S. aureus strain DSM20231 significantly enhanced long-term intracellular survival in human epithelial (HaCaT) and endothelial (EA.hy926) cell lines, without markedly affecting …

The Role Of Adaptive Immunity In Chronic Hypoxia-Induced Pulmonary Hypertension, Levi David Maston

Biomedical Sciences ETDs

Inflammation is a prominent pathologic feature in pulmonary arterial hypertension as demonstrated by pulmonary vascular infiltration of inflammatory cells, including T and B lymphocytes. However, the contribution of the adaptive immune system is not well characterized in pulmonary hypertension (PH) caused by chronic hypoxia (CH). Inflammatory cells, through various mechanisms, have the capability to increase pulmonary vascular resistance in various disease states. CD4⁺T cells have the potential to play a significant role in the disease process initiated by hypoxia. CD4⁺T cells are largely responsible for orchestrating downstream immune processes and are critical in focusing and amplifying …

Immune Gene Diversity And Populations Structure Of Reticulated Flatwoods Salamander (Ambystoma Bishopi), Steven Tyler Williams

LSU Master's Theses

Reticulated flatwoods salamander (Ambystoma bishopi) populations began decreasing dramatically in the late 1900s. Contemporary populations are small, isolated, and may be susceptible to inbreeding and reduced adaptive potential because of low genetic variation. Genetic variation at immune genes is especially important as it influences disease susceptibility and adaptation to emerging infectious pathogens, a central conservation concern for declining amphibians. Connectivity between isolated populations is also vital to maintain genetic diversity and avoid inbreeding. I collected tissue samples from across the extant range of this salamander to examine genetic variation and population structure in: immune genes broadly (immunome), the …

Characterization Of Microsporidian Ameson Herrnkindi Sp. Nov. Infecting Caribbean Spiny Lobsters Panulirus Argus, Hamish J. Small, Gd Stentiford, Dc Behringer, Ma Freeman, Nam Atherley, Kimberly S. Reece, Jeffrey D. Shields

VIMS Articles

The Caribbean spiny lobster Panulirus argus supports a large and valuable fishery in the Caribbean Sea. In 2007-2008, a rare microsporidian parasite with spore characteristics typical of the Ameson genus was detected in 2 spiny lobsters from southeast Florida (FL). However, the parasite species was not confirmed by molecular analyses. To address this deficiency, reported here are structural and molecular data on single lobsters displaying comparable ‘cotton-like’ abdominal muscle containing ovoid microsporidian spores found at different locations in FL in 2014 and 2018 and in Saint Kitts and Nevis Islands in 2017. In the lobster from 2014, multiple life stages …

Cercarial Parasitism Of Freshwater Snails In Sandhills Ponds Versus Streams, Caroline Emily Spethman

Honors Theses

Parasite prevalence was calculated for all aquatic snails collected from four freshwater localities in Western Nebraska from Summer 2016 to 2019: Dunwoody Pond, Haythorn Ranch, Neven’s Restoration, and Breen’s Flyaway. With data of increasing trematode cercarial infection specifically at Dunwoody Pond, this community was further studied. In Summer 2019, a total of 217 freshwater snails representing species of Physa sp., Stagnicola elodes (Say,1821), and Helisoma anceps (Menke,1830) were collected from Dunwoody Pond and Dunwoody stream, near Ogallala, Nebraska. Eighty-one snails were collected from Dunwoody Pond, 76 snails were collected 31 meters upstream, and 60 snails were collected 61 meters upstream …

Mechanism Of Neutrophil Homeostasis And Immunity In Pneumonia And Sepsis, Sagar Paudel

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Severe bacterial pneumonia and septicemia are pressing health problems. A better understanding of cellular and molecular players of neutrophil immunity and homeostasis in bacterial pneumonia and sepsis is critical for inspiring novel therapeutics. Chemokine CXCL1 is a widely secreted neutrophil attractant and Nod-like receptor (NLRC4) is commonly expressed cytoplasmic pathogen sensor in hematopoietic compartments. How these innate mediators convert pathogen signals into molecular cues of immune response in context of Gram-positive bacterial pneumonia and septicemia largely remain unknown. Utilizing Cxcl1 gene deficient mice, we demonstrate CXCL1 regulates neutrophil influx, bacterial clearance, and host survival in pneumococcal pneumonia-derived sepsis. Furthermore, Cxcl1 …

Patient And Provider Perspectives On How Trust Influences Maternal Vaccine Acceptance Among Pregnant Women In Kenya, Stacy W. Nganga, Nancy A. Otieno, Maxwell Adero, Dominic Ouma, Sandra S. Chaves, Jennifer R. Verani, Marc-Alain Widdowson, Andrew Wilson, Irina Bergenfeld, Courtni Andrews, Vincent L. Fenimore, Ines Gonzalez-Casanova, Paula M. Frew, Saad B. Omer, Fauzia A. Malik

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

Background Pregnant women and newborns are at high risk for infectious diseases. Altered immunity status during pregnancy and challenges fully vaccinating newborns contribute to this medical reality. Maternal immunization is a strategy to protect pregnant women and their newborns. This study aimed to find out how patient-provider relationships affect maternal vaccine uptake, particularly in the context of a lower middle- income country where limited research in this area exists. Methods We conducted semi-structured, in-depth narrative interviews of both providers and pregnant women from four sites in Kenya: Siaya, Nairobi, Mombasa, and Marsabit. Interviews were conducted in either English or one …

Identifiying High Risk Areas Of Zika Virus Infection By Meteorological Factors In Columbia, Lung-Chang Chien, Francisco Sy, Adriana Perez

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

Background Several Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreaks have occurred since October 2015. Because there is no effective treatment for ZIKV infection, developing an effective surveillance and warning system is currently a high priority to prevent ZIKV infection. Despite Aedes mosquitos having been known to spread ZIKV, the calculation approach is diverse, and only applied to local areas. This study used meteorological measurements to monitor ZIKV infection due to the high correlation between climate change and Aedes mosquitos and the convenience to obtain meteorological data from weather monitoring stations. Methods This study applied the Bayesian structured additive regression modeling approach to include …

From The Human To The Planetary: Speculative Futures Of Care, Miriam Ticktin

Publications and Research

This is largely a theoretical, speculative essay that takes on the question of what ‘care’ looks like at a moment when climate change is increasingly taking center stage in public and political discussions. Starting with two new practices, namely, humanitarian care for nonhumans and One Health collaborations, I seek to determine what forms of political care can incorporate the well-being of future generations and future iterations of the earth. After an exploration of One Health as an approach to planetary care, I ask what its parts enable us to think, despite its limitations; I focus on the new human-nonhuman assemblages …