Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
- Discipline
Articles 1 - 2 of 2
Full-Text Articles in Immunopathology
Investigations Into Avian Skeletal Adaptations And Spine Fusion Events, Tori Huey
Investigations Into Avian Skeletal Adaptations And Spine Fusion Events, Tori Huey
All Theses
Avian dinosaurs evolved skeletal adaptations resulting in numerous fused spinal structures, like the synsacrum, present in extant birds. The synsacrum is a highly fused region necessary for stiffening the spine, and it fuses the spine to the pelvic ilium. Conventional wisdom suggests that fusion occurred in ovo during embryonic development via the cartilage matrix that patterns the future vertebrae. We show that post hatch birds have intervertebral discs separating all vertebrae of the spine, leading us to re-examine this notion in chickens up to 10 weeks of age. Intervertebral discs undergo constant remodeling, then degenerate and undergo tissue clearance, followed …
Macrophage Rac2 Promotes Suppression Of Germination During Aspergillus Fumigatus Infection, Chris D. Tanner
Macrophage Rac2 Promotes Suppression Of Germination During Aspergillus Fumigatus Infection, Chris D. Tanner
All Theses
Aspergillus fumigatus is a fungus found ubiquitously in the environment including in the air we breathe. Though not a threat to most people, immunodeficient or immunosuppressed individuals are at risk for developing severe infection, including the life-threatening condition of invasive aspergillosis. The hematopoietic cell specific GTPase protein Rac2 is associated with major roles in innate immune defense. Currently Rac2 has been demonstrated to be crucial for survival against a variety of infections. Here, we use a rac2 null mutant zebrafish line and morpholino approaches to elucidate roles of Rac2 in mounting the macrophage host defense response against A. fumigatus infection. …