Enzymes and Coenzymes Commons^™

Investigating Tau Pathology In The Retina And Anterior Segment Structures Of The Eye In A 3-Nitropropionic Acid–Induced Tauopathy Mouse Model, Mohamed Sayed Ahmed Abdel-Kader Qasem

Theses and Dissertations

Background and Objectives: Alzheimer's disease, the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder in older adults, is characterized by accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau and amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaques in the central nervous system. Given the retina's shared embryological origin with the brain, its direct neural connectivity via the optic nerve, and similarities in vasculature and age-related degeneration patterns, retinal pathology may serve as an early, non-invasive biomarker for Alzheimer's disease. This study employed 3-nitropropionic acid (3NP) as a pathway-specific tauopathy model driven by mitochondrial dysfunction. The study particularly aimed to investigate whether retinal and corneal tau pathology reflects underlying tau-related neurodegeneration triggered by …

Bortezomib And Vorinostat In Combination With Mitoxantrone, Dexamethasone, And Pegasparaginase During Induction And Reinduction For Infants With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia: A Multicentre Single-Arm Phase 1/2 Study, Tanja A. Gruber, Sima Jeha, Rebecca J. Deyell, Victor Lewis, Bill H. Chang, Eric J. Lowe, Jamie Frediani, Catherine Vezina, Bruno Michon, Michael Richards, Erin H. Breese, Thai-Hoa Tran, Norman Lacayo, Christine Bolen, Sunil Desai, Jennifer L. Pauley, Minxuan Huang, Emily Ashcraft, Cheng Cheng, Kirk R. Schultz, Linda Stork, Krysta Schlis, Van T. Huynh, Nathan Gossai, Yoav H. Messinger, Henrique Bittencourt, Terzah M. Horton, Uma Athale, Duncan Stearns, Deborah Schiff, Paul S. Gaynon

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in infants remains a therapeutic challenge. In preclinical studies we previously identified bortezomib and vorinostat as active agents against KMT2A rearranged (KMT2Ar) leukaemia. The aim of this study was to determine the tolerability of incorporating bortezomib and vorinostat into an acute lymphoblastic leukaemia-chemotherapy backbone for newly diagnosed infants with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia both with and without KMT2Ar.

Methods: In this single-arm phase 1/2 study conducted at 18 hospitals in the USA and Canada, we enrolled patients aged 1 year or younger at the time of diagnosis with newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukaemia or undifferentiated leukaemia (with …

Expanded Scorpionate And Siderophore-Inspired Ligands: From Foundational Designs To Modern Applications, Austin Winfield Medley, Trandon Allen Bender

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications

Scorpionate ligands have been advanced significantly through systematic modifications of their apical atoms and heterocyclic arms, expanding their structural diversity and chemical reactivity. Recent biologically inspired variants now enable accurate modeling of complex bioinorganic motifs, such as the Fe₄S₄ clusters of nitrogenase, and support enzyme‐like reactivity under mild aqueous conditions. These developments have broadened the impact of scorpionate chemistry across bioinorganic modeling, homogeneous catalysis, and biorthogonal transformations. In particular, expanded tripodal scaffolds provide modular, tunable platforms for mimicking enzyme active sites and probing biological nitrogen fixation pathways. Beyond fundamental insight, these ligands present practical opportunities for sustainable catalysis by enabling …

Short-Term Preeclampsia Prediction: Cutoff Variations For Sflt-1/Plgf In U.S. Patients With Or Without Hypertensive Disorders, Yaxin Li, Kristen Cagino, Jim Yee, Caroline Andy, Dajana Borova, Ayush Shah, Isla Racine, Tracy Grossman, Zhen Zhao

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

BACKGROUND: Preeclampsia (PE) is a complex disorder with significant maternal and fetal risks. The soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) and placental growth factor (PlGF) ratio shows promise as a diagnostic tool, but its adoption in the U.S. remains limited due to the lack of accessible testing platforms, U.S.-based studies, and evidence-based implementation guidelines.

PATIENTS/MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a cohort study to evaluate the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio for predicting PE within two weeks among pregnant individuals ≥18 years, ≥20 weeks gestation. Serum samples were obtained from routine prenatal visits or triage evaluations. sFlt-1/PlGF ratios were measured using Roche Elecsys assays, and …

Human Kallikrein 2: A Novel Lineage-Specific Surface Target In Prostate Cancer, Fei Shen, Ryan Smith, Theresa Mcdevitt, Krista Menard, Shaozhou Tian, Gerald Chu, Ruchi Chaudhary, Jennifer Mccann, Halley Oyer, Sherry C. Wang, Steven Max, Peter Francis, William K. Kelly, Charles G. Drake

Kimmel Cancer Center Faculty Papers

PURPOSE: Targeted therapies for metastatic prostate cancer are limited, highlighting the need for novel drug targets and mechanisms of action (MoA). Human kallikrein 2 (KLK2) is a prostate-specific antigen expressed across the prostate cancer disease continuum. However, it was not recognized as a therapeutic target for prostate cancer in the past due to limited evidence of its cell surface expression. In this study, we systematically characterized KLK2 expression in prostate cancer, confirmed its cell surface expression, and demonstrated the preclinical efficacy of three KLK2-targeting therapeutics with distinct MoA.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: The KLK2 expression profile in different stages of prostate cancer …

Bard1: A Friend Or Foe In Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma?, Lily Zekavat, Aditi Jain

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive solid malignancy with poor overall prognosis and limited response to standard treatments. Growing interest in the modulation of DNA repair mechanisms, including the homologous recombination (HR) repair pathway, has opened new avenues for therapeutic development. BARD1 (BRCA1-Associated RING Domain 1) plays a complex role in tumor biology, functioning either as a tumor suppressor or as an oncogenic driver, depending on isoform expression, cellular context, and regulatory environment. In this review, we examine the dual roles of BARD1, focusing on its regulation and paradoxical activities in PDAC. We summarize evidence that BARD1 and BARD1 …

Determining Risk Factors And Rate Of Surgery After Collagenase Injections For Dupuytren Contracture, Ryan C. Cha, Juliet S. Chung, Sina Ramtin, Asif M. Ilyas

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

Purpose: Collagenase injections are a nonsurgical treatment for Dupuytren contracture, but their long-term effectiveness in preventing surgery remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the rate of surgical intervention following collagenase treatment and identify whether specific risk factors increase the likelihood of future surgical correction. Methods: This retrospective cohort study utilized the TriNetX US Collaborative network to identify patients diagnosed with Dupuytren contracture between January 2007 and September 2024. Patients initially treated with collagenase injections were identified using relevant current procedural terminology codes. Procedure-specific current procedural terminology codes were then used to determine which patients underwent a subsequent fasciectomy or …

The Loss Of Opa1 Accelerates Intervertebral Disc Degeneration And Osteoarthritis In Aged Mice, Vedavathi Madhu, Miriam Hernandaz-Meadows, Ashley Coleman, Kimheak Sao, Kameron Inguito, Owen Haslam, Paige Boneski, Hiromi Sesaki, Ruteja Barve, John Collins, Makarand Risbud

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

Recent studies have highlighted the importance of mitochondria in NP cells and articular chondrocyte health. Since the understanding of mechanisms governing mitochondrial dynamics in these tissues is lacking, we investigated the role of OPA1, a mitochondrial fusion protein, in their homeostasis. OPA1 knockdown in NP cells altered mitochondrial size and cristae shape and increased the oxygen consumption rate. OPA1 governed the morphology of multiple organelles, including peroxisomes, early endosomes and cis-Golgi and loss resulted in the dysregulation of autophagy. Metabolic profiling and

Advances In Molecular Imaging Of Vegfrs: Innovations In Imaging And Therapeutics, Hanieh Karimi, Sarah Lee, Wenqi Xu, Sigrid A. Langhans, David K. Johnson, Erik Stauff, Heidi H. Kecskemethy, Lauren W. Averill, Xuyi Yue

Department of Radiology Faculty Papers

Vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFRs) are key regulators of angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, and vascular permeability, playing essential roles in both physiological and pathological processes. The VEGFR family, including VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, and VEGFR-3, interacts with structurally related VEGF ligands (VEGFA, VEGFB, VEGFC, VEGFD, and placental growth factor [PlGF]), activating downstream signaling pathways that mediate critical cellular processes, including proliferation, migration, and survival. Dysregulation of VEGFR signaling has been implicated in numerous diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular conditions, and inflammatory disorders. Targeting VEGFRs with radiopharmaceuticals, such as radiolabeled peptides, antibodies, and specific tracers like 64Cu-bevacizumab and 89Zr-ramucirumab, has emerged as a powerful …

Sirt6 Deficiency Promotes Senescence And Age-Associated Intervertebral Disc Degeneration In Mice, Pranay Ramteke, Bahiyah Watson, Mallory Toci, Victoria Tran, Shira N Johnston, Maria Tsingas, Ruteja Barve, Ramkrishna Mitra, Richard Loeser, John Collins, Makarand Risbud

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

Intervertebral disc degeneration is a major risk factor contributing to chronic low back and neck pain. While the etiological factors for disc degeneration vary, age is still one of the most important risk factors. Recent studies have shown the promising role of SIRT6 in mammalian aging and skeletal tissue health, however its role in the intervertebral disc health remains unexplored. We investigated the contribution of SIRT6 to disc health by studying the age-dependent spinal phenotype of mice with conditional deletion of Sirt6 in the disc (Acan^CreERT2; Sirt6^fl/fl). Histological studies showed a degenerative phenotype in knockout mice …

The Correlation Between A Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase Deficiency In Autism Spectrum Disorder Patients And The Presence Of Mental Health Disorders, Hinal Joshi, Andrea Iannuzzelli

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

• Currently little literature exists on connection between Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) deficiency and mental health disorders

• Reduced enzyme activity associated with certain MTHFR variants contributes to altered folate metabolism, elevated homocysteine levels, and disrupted DNA methylation, all of which are implicated in mental health disorders

• Identifying genetic risk factors could facilitate earlier diagnosis and intervention, leading to improved outcomes

• Relevant results could help reduce stigma and promote greater understanding of challenges faced by patients on the spectrum

Targeting Bard1 Suppresses A Myc-Dependent Transcriptional Program And Tumor Growth In Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma, Sohum Patel, Eleanor Jenkins, Rutuj P. Kusurkar, Sherry Lee, Wei Jiang, Avinoam Nevler, Matthew Mccoy, Michael J. Pishvaian, Rosalie C. Sears, Jonathan R. Brody, Charles J. Yeo, Aditi Jain

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the deadliest cancers demanding better and more effective therapies. BARD1 or BRCA1-Associated -Ring Domain-1 plays a pivotal role in homologous recombination repair (HRR). However, its function and the underlying molecular mechanisms in PDAC are still not fully elucidated. Here, we demonstrate that BARD1 is overexpressed in PDAC and its genetic inhibition suppresses c-Myc and disrupts c-Myc dependent transcriptional program. Mechanistically, BARD1 stabilizes c-Myc through ubiquitin-proteasome system by regulating FBXW7. Importantly, targeting BARD1 using either siRNAs or CRISPR/Cas9 deletion blocks PDAC growth in vitro and in vivo, without any signs of toxicity to mice. …

Hdac5 Enzymatic Activity Regulates Scn4b Expression To Control Relapse-Like Cocaine Seeking, Daniel J. Wood

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is a relapsing disorder characterized by repeated seeking and use of psychoactive substances despite negative consequences to the individual. Epigenetic changes within the medium spiny neurons (MSNs) of the nucleus accumbens (NAc) are thought to underly the lasting propensity to relapse in SUD. The epigenetic enzyme histone deacetylase 5 (HDAC5) in NAc MSNs limits the formation of reward-cue associations in rodent models of drug seeking, but not sucrose seeking, leading to decreased relapse-like behavior. However, whether HDAC5 reduces drug seeking behavior through its own deacetylase activity or through the recruitment of co-repressors is unknown. Furthermore, these …

Gatad2b O-Glcnacylation Regulates Breast Cancer Stem-Like Potential And Drug Resistance, Giang Le Minh, Jessica Merzy, Emily Esquea, Nusaiba Ahmed, Riley Young, Ryan Sharp, Tejsi Dhameliya, Bernice Agana, Mi-Hye Lee, Jennifer Bethard, Susana Comte-Walters, Lauren Ball, Mauricio Reginato

Kimmel Cancer Center Faculty Papers

The growth of breast tumors is driven and controlled by a subpopulation of cancer cells resembling adult stem cells, which are called cancer stem-like cells (CSCs). In breast cancer, the function and maintenance of CSCs are influenced by protein O-GlcNAcylation and the enzyme responsible for this post-translational modification, O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT). However, the mechanism of CSCs regulation by OGT and O-GlcNAc cycling in breast cancer is still unclear. Analysis of the proteome and O-GlcNAcome, revealed GATAD2B, a component of the Nucleosome Remodeling and Deacetylase (NuRD) complex, as a substrate regulated by OGT. Reducing GATAD2B genetically impairs mammosphere formation, decreases expression …

5-Fluorouracil Induced Oxidative Stress Is Variable Across Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cell Lines, Rachel L. Walker

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer with treatment limited to chemotherapy. However, not all patient tumors respond to chemotherapy. The variable cytotoxic effects of chemotherapies may be due to how cancer cells regulate reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, we examined two mouse breast cancer cell lines: 4T1 and EO771, vary when treated with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and 5-Fluorouracil (5FU), known ROS-inducing substances. In 4T1 cells H2O2 increased oxidized DNA but caused minimal cell death. While in EO771 cells that same amount of H2O2 caused complete apoptosis. Cell number, ROS, and cell death showed …

Selective And Brain-Penetrant Acss2 Inhibitors Target Breast Cancer Brain Metastatic Cells, Emily Esquea, Lorela Ciraku, Riley Young, Jessica Merzy, Alexandra Talarico, Nusaiba Ahmed, Mangalam Karuppiah, Anna Ramesh, Adam Chatoff, Claudia Crispim, Adel Rashad, Simon Cocklin, Nathaniel Snyder, Joris Beld, Nicole Simone, Mauricio Reginato, Alexej Dick

Kimmel Cancer Center Faculty Papers

Breast cancer brain metastasis (BCBM) typically results in an end-stage diagnosis and is hindered by a lack of brain-penetrant drugs. Tumors in the brain rely on the conversion of acetate to acetyl-CoA by the enzyme acetyl-CoA synthetase 2 (ACSS2), a key regulator of fatty acid synthesis and protein acetylation. Here, we used a computational pipeline to identify novel brain-penetrant ACSS2 inhibitors combining pharmacophore-based shape screen methodology with absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) property predictions. We identified compounds AD-5584 and AD-8007 that were validated for specific binding affinity to ACSS2. Treatment of BCBM cells with AD-5584 and AD-8007 leads to …

Janus Kinase (Jak) Inhibitors: A New Frontier In The Treatment Of Vitiligo, Catherine F. Alapatt, Amanda Greenspan, Mohammad Fardos

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Up to 70 million people worldwide suffer from vitiligo, an autoimmune disease characterized by the destruction of melanin. Current treatment options vary in efficacy. The disease manifests clinically as white circular macules of depigmentation seen primarily on the face and appendages.1 The pathophysiology of vitiligo is multifactorial and still being studied. One proposed mechanism behind the pathophysiology of vitiligo involves the upregulation of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) with downstream effects on JAK/STAT pathways resulting in CXCL10 transcription.1,2 Here we discuss Ruxolitinib, a topical JAK inhibitor, that recently passed its clinical trial phase, and Ritlecitinib, an oral JAK inhibitor which is currently …

Improved Synthesis And Anticancer Activity Of A Potent Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibitor, Dhananjayan Vasu, Cory T. Reidl, Eric Wang, Sun Yang, Richard B. Silverman

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

An improved synthesis of 4-methyl-7-(3-((methylamino)methyl)phenethyl)quinolin-2-amine (1) is reported. A scalable, rapid, and efficient methodology was developed to access this compound with an overall yield of 35%, which is 5.9-fold higher than the previous report. The key differences in the improved synthesis are a high yielding quinoline synthesis by a Knorr reaction, a copper-mediated Sonogashira coupling to the internal alkyne in excellent yield, and a crucial deprotection of the N-acetyl and N-Boc groups achieved under acidic conditions in a single step rather than a poor yielding quinoline N-oxide strategy, basic deprotection conditions, and low yielding copper-free conditions that …

Predicting Survival Of Nsclc Patients Treated With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: Impact And Timing Of Immune-Related Adverse Events And Prior Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Therapy, Michael R. Sayer, Isa Mambetsariev, Kun-Han Lu, Chi Wah Wong, Ashley Duche, Richard Beuttler, Jeremy Fricke, Rebecca Pharaon, Leonidas Arvanitis, Zahra Eftekhari, Arya Amini, Marianna Koczywas, Erminia Massarelli, Moom Rahman Roosan, Ravi Salgia

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Introduction: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) produce a broad spectrum of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) affecting various organ systems. While ICIs are established as a therapeutic option in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment, most patients receiving ICI relapse. Additionally, the role of ICIs on survival in patients receiving prior targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy has not been well-defined.

Objective: To investigate the impact of irAEs, the relative time of occurrence, and prior TKI therapy to predict clinical outcomes in NSCLC patients treated with ICIs.

Methods: A single center retrospective cohort study identified 354 adult patients with NSCLC receiving ICI …

The Effects Of Sex On Zebrafish Bone Metabolism, Simon Bagatto

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

I investigated the effects of diet and sex on zebrafish bone metabolism. Zebrafish were subjected to either a high-calorie or low-calorie diet over a five-week period. After this diet, zebrafish scales were used to measure alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) enzyme activity with a fluorescent substrate. The enzyme activities were markers of the osteoblasts (ALP) and the osteoclasts (TRAP). These data were compared among sex and diet of the zebrafish using a repeated measures ANOVA statistical test. I also measured the number of resorption lacunae per scale (another indicator of osteoclast activity). The results showed higher TRAP …

Biowill - Characterising Willow Bark Bio-Actives For Skin Therapies, Arnold Marisa

ORBioM (Open Research BioSciences Meeting)

Willow bark is considered as a disposable by-product when processing willow for biomass. Willow (Salix) is known to contain high value bioactive compounds which include salicin and its derivatives, and other phytochemicals of interest such as polyphenols and flavonoids. The plant is historically known as the primary source of salicylates to which the well-known drug aspirin is derived from. The work forms part of the Interreg project BioWILL, which is focused on integrated “Zero Waste” biorefinery utilising all fractions of willow feedstock for the production of biochemicals and renewable energy. This project aims to investigate the crude and …

Differential Effect Of Proinflammatory Cytokines On Corneal And Conjunctival Epithelial Cell Mucins And Glycocalyx, Kiumars Shamloo, Priya Mistry, Ashley Barbarino, Christopher Ross, Vishal Jhanji

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Purpose: Ocular surface mucins and glycocalyx are critical for providing ocular hydration as well lubrication and repelling pathogens or allergens. Elevated levels of tear proinflammatory cytokines in dry eye may have detrimental effect on mucins and glycocalyx. The present study tested the effect of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ on membrane-tethered mucins expression, glycocalyx, and viability of ocular surface epithelial cells.

Methods: Stratified cultures of human corneal and conjunctival epithelial cells were exposed to different concentrations of IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ for 24 hours. The mucins gene and protein expressions were quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction …

Variability In Naltrexone Biotransformation, Stephani L. Stancil

Research Days

No abstract provided.

How Can We Stop Cancer?, Joseph R. Current

The Review: A Journal of Undergraduate Student Research

Cancer is a disease that humans have been struggling to combat for centuries. It originates from the accumulation of several mutations over the life of a cell that causes it to evade cell death and multiply rapidly. It can affect any tissue in the body and can spread to other parts of the body through metastasis. Cancer comes in numerous shapes and sizes with different levels of aggression, growth speeds, and health risks. Many treatments for cancer exist today, three of the most popular being surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, which can be used in combinations with other treatments to …

Prostate Field Cancerization And Exosomes: Association Between Cd9, Early Growth Response 1 And Fatty Acid Synthase, Farideh Amirrad, Philip A. Pytak, Neda Sadeghiani-Pelar, Julie P. T. Nguyen, Emily L. Cauble, Anna C. Jones

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Intracapsular and well‑defined adenocarcinomas of the prostate are often surrounded by tissue areas that harbor molecular aberrations, including those of genetic, epigenetic and biochemical nature. This is known as field cancerization, or a field effect and denotes a state of pre‑malignancy. Such alterations in histologically normal tumor‑adjacent prostatic tissues have been recognized as clinically important and are potentially exploitable as biomarkers of disease and/or targets for preventative/therapeutic intervention. The authors have previously identified and validated two protein markers of field cancerization: The expressional upregulation of the transcription factor early growth response 1 (EGR‑1) and the lipogenic enzyme fatty acid synthase …

Oral Contraceptives As Possible Acl Injury Prevention Method, Haley Schweizer

Capstone Showcase

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries are an upsetting setback for many athletes that require a long and costly recovery process. The injury rates are four times greater in women than men. Preventative measures that help to prevent ACL injuries are limited to stretching and strengthening. Therefore, this review aims to investigate if oral contraceptive [I] usage provides a possible new avenue for prevention of ACL injury [O] in young female athletes (ages 18-30) [P] compared to those that do not take oral contraceptives [C].

Methods: A literature review was performed though PubMed, Google Scholar, SCOPUS Database, and ClinicalKey …

The Pharmabiotic For Phenylketonuria: Development Of A Novel Therapeutic, Chloé Elizabeth Lebegue

Senior Theses

Phenylketonuria, now known as phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) deficiency, is a genetic disorder of metabolism affecting approximately one in every 15,000 infants born in the United States. Patients have nonfunctional PAH enzyme secondary to one or more genetic mutations. The enzyme deficit results in destructive supraphysiologic blood phenylalanine levels upon consumption of the essential dietary amino acid phenylalanine. Current standards of care mitigate signs and symptoms of the disorder, but do not approach a cure. The methods for creating a prototype pharmabiotic as an innovative treatment strategy for PAH deficiency are described herein.

DNA molecular cloning techniques were utilized to engineer …

“Do We Know Jack” About Jak? A Closer Look At Jak/Stat Signaling Pathway, Emira Bousoik, Hamidreza Montazeri Aliabadi

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Janus tyrosine kinase (JAK) family of proteins have been identified as crucial proteins in signal transduction initiated by a wide range of membrane receptors. Among the proteins in this family JAK2 has been associated with important downstream proteins, including signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs), which in turn regulate the expression of a variety of proteins involved in induction or prevention of apoptosis. Therefore, the JAK/STAT signaling axis plays a major role in the proliferation and survival of different cancer cells, and may even be involved in resistance mechanisms against molecularly targeted drugs. Despite extensive research focused on the …

Cardiac-Specific Inactivation Of Lpp3 In Mice Leads To Myocardial Dysfunction And Heart Failure, Mini Chandra, Diana Escalante-Alcalde, Shenuarin Bhuiyan, Anthony Wayne Orr, Christopher Kevil, Andrew J. Morris, Hyung Nam, Paari Dominic, Kevin J. Mccarthy, Sumitra Miriyala, Manikandan Panchatcharam

Internal Medicine Faculty Publications

Lipid Phosphate phosphatase 3 (LPP3), encoded by the Plpp3 gene, is an enzyme that dephosphorylates the bioactive lipid mediator lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). To study the role of LPP3 in the myocardium, we generated a cardiac specific Plpp3 deficient mouse strain. Although these mice were viable at birth in contrast to global Plpp3 knockout mice, they showed increased mortality ~ 8 months. LPP3 deficient mice had enlarged hearts with reduced left ventricular performance as seen by echocardiography. Cardiac specific Plpp3 deficient mice had longer ventricular effective refractory periods compared to their Plpp3 littermates. We observed that lack of Lpp3 enhanced cardiomyocyte …

Chat Expression In Chlamydia Muridarum-Infected Female Murine Genital Tract, Hallie Sartain

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Chlamydia trachomatis is the most prevalent agent of bacterial sexually transmitted infections in the world. However, a profuse number of cases are unreported, as the infection is often asymptomatic. Sequelae such as pelvic inflammatory disease, an increased risk of cervical cancer, premature birth, and perinatal infections in pregnant women can occur. Inflammation occurs in the body in response to infection or injury. Although inflammation can lead to some unwanted secondary effects, such as pain, it serves to return the body to homeostasis by restoring injured tissues and eliminating pathogens. One recently identified connection between the central nervous system and the …