Neuroscience and Neurobiology Commons^™

Developing A Contrast Agent For The In Vivo Detection Of Apoptosis, Mary R. Cobb

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Currently, there is no way to assess apoptotic cell death in living organisms. We have developed a novel contrast agent targeted toward the detection of caspase-3 activity, the key enzymatic mediator of apoptosis. Our contrast agent consists of a dual magnetic resonance imaging/fluorescent probe coupled to a cell penetrating peptide (CPP) sequence by a peptide backbone containing a caspase-3 cleavage site. The CPP allows the agent to cross cell membranes and the blood brain barrier. In cells undergoing apoptosis, activated caspase-3 will cleave the agent removing the CPP and trapping the imaging probes inside the cell.

The purpose of this …

Mechanisms Of Neural Precursor Cell Apoptosis By Microglia-Derived Cytokines, Jennifer Guadagno

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The persistence of neural precursor cells (NPCs) in distinct niches of the adult brain and spinal cord provides an important opportunity for regeneration in the affected nervous system. In the adult brain, neural precursor cells (NPCs) generate new neurons that can be integrated into the CNS circuitry to replace damaged or lost neurons, and contribute to learning and memory processes. Deregulated neurogenesis has been observed under both acute and chronic neurological conditions including stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. The extent to which neurogenesis contributes to brain repair is severely limited by the neuroinflammatory processes associated with these neurodegenerative conditions. …