Immune System Diseases Commons^™

Link, Retain, Suppress: A Grounded Theory Study Of Medical Case Management In The Philadelphia Hiv Service Agencies, Shakeera Wynne

Social Work Doctoral Dissertations

Medical case management (MCM) plays a critical role in supporting engagement in HIV care; however, differences in implementation across agencies may influence service delivery and outcomes. Existing research has focused primarily on outcomes such as retention in care and viral suppression, while less is known about how the MCM intervention is implemented in practice. The purpose of this grounded theory study was to explore how medical case management is implemented within HIV care settings and to examine the structural, organizational, and relational factors that shape service delivery. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with medical case managers working within Ryan White-funded agencies …

Examining The Ligands, Location, And Function Of Toll-Like Receptor 10, Kiefer Keanu Tam

Master's Theses

Toll-like receptors are a class of innate immune pattern recognition receptors that detect pathogen-associated molecular patterns and regulate downstream inflammatory responses. Toll-like receptor 10 remains the only human TLR whose ligand specificity, cellular localization, and immunological function are not fully defined. Emerging evidence suggests that TLR10 may play an anti-inflammatory role and can heterodimerize with TLR2 to modulate immune signaling. Previous studies from our laboratory demonstrated that stimulation with heat-killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis promotes TLR2-TLR10 heterodimerization and trafficking to the cell surface. In this study, we expanded our ligand panel to include additional gram-positive bacteria, particularly anti-inflammatory probiotic species, to further …

Identifying Modulators Of Stable Klrg1+Il7ra+ Memory Cd8+ T-Cells, Christina Ocampo Valdez

Honors Projects

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease targeting the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas. The discovery of insulin revolutionized the treatment of T1D, but current research into T1D has progressed from disease management to possible prevention or delayed onset of diagnosis. One drug currently in use is teplizumab, an anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody that has been shown to delay the onset of T1D in some, but not all, at-risk individuals. High levels of a subset of peripheral blood CD8+ T cells we call SKIMs (stable KLRG1+ IL7Ra+ memory cells), which include MAIT (mucosal-associated invariant T) cells, have been associated …

Adaptive Leggings For Crohn’S/Colitis/Isbs Patients With A Colostomy Bag, Sarah E. Liebbe

Apparel Merchandising and Product Development Undergraduate Honors Theses

As the prevalence of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, continues to rise in the United States, an increasing number of individuals undergo colostomy or ileostomy procedures requiring the use of an ostomy bag (Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, 2023). While these medical devices are essential for maintaining health and quality of life, they often introduce challenges related to clothing, including discomfort, lack of support, limited concealment, and restricted self-expression (Hubbard et al., 2019). Despite growing attention to inclusive design within the fashion industry, adaptive apparel for ostomy patients remains limited in availability, style, and affordability, leaving …

Identifying Major Sources Of Leptospira Interrogans In San Juan Bay And Río Grande De Loíza Estuaries Of Puerto Rico, Logan Mccullers, Dave Bachoon

Biology Theses

This study evaluated the presence of pathogenic Leptospira interrogans, potential carriers, and environmental factors influencing their occurrence in the San Juan Bay Estuary (SJBE) and Río Grande de Loíza (RGDL) watersheds of Puerto Rico from 2024–2025. Detection of this pathogen from water samples was performed using the lipL32 PCR assay. The likely hosts of L. interrogans were determined using fecal source tracking (FST) assays for human (HF-183), canine (BacCan-UCD), equine (HoF597), and rat mitochondrial DNA NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 gene (RatMt) markers. In 2024, 91 samples were collected (March: 50; June: 41), and in 2025, 124 samples were collected …

An Analysis Of Eating Disorders As A Comorbidity Of Autoimmune Diseases, Madeleine Shore

Scripps Senior Theses

For many autoimmune disease patients, psychiatric conditions are a common comorbidity. Although there are many shared mechanisms between autoimmune disease and psychiatric conditions, current research surrounding mental health among autoimmune disease patients often focuses on mood disorders rather than eating disorders. Despite the high risk for developing psychiatric conditions, most autoimmune disease patients are not screened for eating disorders. This lack of screening is significant, because if an eating disorder is missed by a healthcare provider, the autoimmune or eating disorder condition could be exacerbated, resulting in severe illness or even fatality. Given an existing link between comorbid psychiatric disorders, …

Analysis Of Alternative Gene Splicing Of Natural Killer Cell Exhaustion Markers During Siv Infection, Soledad B. Zayas

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Natural killer cells play a critical role in the innate immune response against Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Simian Immunodeficiency Virus infections. During HIV/SIV infection, NK cells undergo functional impairment characterized by an imbalance between activating and inhibitory surface receptors. The upregulation of inhibitory receptors, TIGIT and TIM-3, has proven to contribute to NK cell exhaustion during different retroviral infections. Although alternative splicing regulates immunity related genes, its role in TIGIT and TIM-3 expression during SIV infection remains poorly understood. This study aimed to characterize alternative splicing patterns of TIGIT and TIM-3 and evaluate transcript variant expression during SIV infection in …

Investigating The Role Of Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine For Cancer Symptom Management In Older Adults: A Rapid Review, Isabelle C. Karshner

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Background: Patients with cancer often experience symptoms related to disease, complications, and treatment. One potential method of alleviating these symptoms is traditional Chinese herbal medications (TCHM). This rapid review explores the role of traditional Chinese herbal medications in treating cancer-related symptoms in older adults.

Purpose: The purpose of this rapid review is to gain and provide a better understanding of the effects of TCHM on cancer-symptom management in the older adult population. This review explores the association between TCHM and effects on cancer symptoms in older adults, including interactions, toxicity, and signs/symptoms of TCHM use that may be useful information …

Proposed Theoretical Model Of Pediatric Onset Multiple Sclerosis And Restrictive Eating Behaviors, Anna L. Smith

Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects

Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a chronic, demyelinating, autoimmune disease that causes an array of physical and cognitive symptomatology, is commonly diagnosed in adulthood. Pediatric Onset Multiple Sclerosis (POMS) is characterized by diagnosis of the disease before age 18 and accounts for about 5% of MS cases. While there is a growing body of literature examining the impact of adult-onset multiple sclerosis on psychosocial functioning, research specifically addressing POMS remains limited. Moreover, there is a notable gap in the literature regarding the risk of eating disorders among individuals with POMS. This paper will explore a constellation of potential risk factors that may …

Intestinal Stromal Cells Play A Critical Role In Protection Mediated By Male Microbiota-Derived Metabolites And Androgens Against Disease In Lupus-Prone Mice., Jing Ma

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease involving broad immune dysregulation. Despite decades of research, most lupus treatments still have limited effectiveness and can cause serious side effects. Both genetic and environmental factors contribute to lupus susceptibility, and a better understanding of how environmental factors influence disease could guide future therapeutic strategies. SLE shows a strong female predominance. Growing evidence implicates the gut microbiota and sex hormones as key environmental contributors to some autoimmune diseases, including lupus. The gut microbiota can influence host immune function, and interestingly, recent studies have revealed sex-bias in microbiota composition and function. Moreover, …

Intention To Take Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (Prep) As An Hiv Preventive Medication: An Application Of The Health Belief Model And Theory Planned Behavior, Besuthu Nakekelwa Nkambule

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

South Africa (SA) has 7.7 million citizens (12.6% of its 2023 population) living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as an antiretroviral medication for HIV-negative individuals is a promising HIV prevention strategy in SA that can help the attainment of an HIV free generation. PrEP offers greater than 90% protection against HIV acquisition. Despite SA’s efforts in increasing PrEP coverage for its citizens, primarily to those at substantial risk, its adoption remains relatively low. Structural barriers related to access, costs, lack of awareness, and, more recently, US funding cuts exacerbate the challenges of PrEP’s potential …

A Literature-Informed Nutrition Patient Communication Toolkit For Hashimoto’S Thyroiditis, Kieren Ritter

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

This project is intended to help bridge the gap in nutrition education and treatment for the autoimmune disease Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT). Current research was synthesized and converted into a communication tool for adults diagnosed with HT. The toolkit was based on 33 articles, from three databases, that passed the inclusion and exclusion criteria for analysis. The education toolkit was intended to be practical and valuable for below a high school reading level. The aforementioned articles reviewed the effects of dietary changes on HT with vitamin D, selenium, gluten removal, dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean diet and Autoimmune Protocol, and …

Navigating Insulin Access For Pediatric Type 1 Diabetes: Caregivers' Experiences And Challenges, Ella Anderson

Doctoral Dissertations

Between 2012 and 2018, the annual 14% increase in insulin prices made Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) the most expensive chronic health condition, significantly raising out-of-pocket costs for uninsured or underinsured individuals in the United States (Hayes & Farmer, 2020; Willner et al., 2020). This study utilized a qualitative content analysis methodology to explore the challenges and experiences of parents with children diagnosed with T1D with accessing insulin for their child. Five participants from various areas of the United States responded to open-ended questions both in person and via Zoom. The analysis revealed three main themes: pragmatics of managing diabetic care, …

Mechanisms Of Macrophage Metabolic Activation And Paracrine Wnt Signaling In The Pathogenesis Of Systemic Sclerosis, Emily Ann Morris

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic autoimmune disease of unknown etiology. We have previously shown that macrophages (MØs) play a critical role in its pathogenesis; however, the mechanisms driving MØ activation in SSc remain poorly understood. This dissertation investigates the molecular signaling pathways and biochemical mechanisms underlying profibrotic MØ activity in SSc.

First, I identify a novel MØ-specific effect of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), the standard-of-care treatment for SSc. While MMF is a well characterized lymphostatic, my findings demonstrate that its active metabolite, mycophenolic acid (MPA), is also capable of directly inhibiting myeloid viability and profibrotic MØ activation by suppressing de …

Impact Of Hiv-2 Rod9 Vpx Mutations On Samhd1 Degradation And Vpx Nuclear Trafficking, Tolulope R. Oladimeji

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a leading cause of death in many parts of the world. HIV-2, endemic to West Africa, has infected over 2 million people globally. A key difference between HIV-2 and the more widespread HIV-1 is the HIV-2 protein Vpx, which facilitates infection in non-dividing cells by targeting SAMHD1, a host innate immune protein, for proteasomal degradation. This research aims to identify specific amino acid residues in HIV-2 ROD9 Vpx that are essential for mediating SAMHD1 degradation by the proteosome. I hypothesize that amino acid residues located in the C-terminal region of Vpx play a critical role …

Therapeutic Roles For Alkaline Phosphatases To Target Intestinal Dysfunction In Mouse Models Of Experimental Sepsis And Ischemic Stroke, Rhiannon V. Macom

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Abstract

Therapeutic Roles for Alkaline Phosphatases to Target Intestinal Dysfunction in Mouse Models of Experimental Sepsis and Ischemic Stroke

Rhiannon V. Macom

Stroke is a disease that primarily affects the brain; however, ongoing research continues to show that stroke has far reaching systemic effects that can affect both short- and long-term recovery. The gastrointestinal tract has been shown to be affected post-stroke, and these effects are likely due to the bidirectional communication between the gut and the brain via the gut-brain-axis. Alkaline phosphatases (APs) are common membrane bound enzymes that are known to have a role in mitigating inflammation. The …

Identifying The Role And Influence Of Interleukin-27 On The Neonatal Immune Response, Jordan Kane Vance

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The first month of life is a critical and vulnerable developmental stage, characterized by a heightened risk of life-threatening infections. Each year, 1.3 million newborns succumb to neonatal bacterial sepsis. The immune system during the neonatal period has unique features that lead to inefficiencies at clearing infection. Early life immunity is characterized by a Th2-biased profile with decreased IL‑12, IFN-γ, and TNF-α, along with increased IL‑6 and IL‑23. Additionally, IL‑27, an immunosuppressive cytokine, is also elevated during this period and further contributes to susceptibility to infection. Early diagnosis and intervention are critical in administering effective care in newborns and there …

Combination Therapy Of Ido1 Inhibition And Anti-Pd1 Mediates Anti-Tumor Immunity By Promoting Memory Immunity Development And Cytotoxicity Of Γδ T And Nk Cells Via Il-2 Signaling And By Overcoming Pro-Tumor Effects Of Tgf-Β Signaling, Hyuk Jee

Dartmouth College Master’s Theses

Cutaneous melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer even though it takes only about 1% of all skin cancers. Even among all cutaneous melanomas, NRAS-mutant melanoma is more aggressive than any other, and about 10-25% of all cutaneous melanoma cases have mutations in NRAS. NRAS is a member of the RAS family of proto-oncogenic GTPase proteins, and it plays a key role in signal transduction pathways responsible for cellular survival, proliferation, and metabolism. Immunotherapy is the first line of defense against NRAS-mutant melanoma because, despite tremendous efforts made for decades, it has not been successful to develop small …

Understanding The Role Of Mastl In Colon Homeostasis And Colitis-Associated Cancer Development, Kristina Pravoverov

Theses & Dissertations

Colitis-associated cancer (CAC) is the most devastating complication of longstanding inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Understanding the mechanisms underlying the switch from damage-repair to dysplasia in IBD is critical for identifying novel therapies to facilitate mucosal healing while mitigating CAC risk. Microtubule-associated serine-threonine kinase-like (MASTL), though crucial in cell growth and repair, is upregulated in sporadic colorectal cancer and CAC. This study sought to delineate the role of MASTL in colitis and CAC development.

First, we examined whether MASTL is associated with colitis and recovery. Review of publicly available data found significant elevation of MASTL and interleukin (IL)-22 in biopsies from …

In Vivo Examination Of Peripheral Drivers Of Alzheimer’S Disease, Celso Catumbela

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia worldwide, and predominantly affects elderly populations. This disease is well known for its effects on the brain, but a wealth of clinical reports show that dementia can also modify, or be modified by, various peripheral and systemic processes. Yet, the pathological contribution of peripheral comorbidities to AD remains to be fully understood. In an attempt to address some knowledge gaps, we characterized the cerebral and peripheral pathology in mice with history of either liver injury or sepsis. In the former subjects, we found that even in the absence of genetic risk …

Genomic Data Science Approaches For Understanding Human Diseases, Snehal Shah

All Dissertations

The intricate interplay of genetic predisposition, environmental influences, and lifestyle acts as the multifactorial landscape of diseases. Understanding this complexity presents a significant challenge. Molecular insights into disease mechanisms, particularly the interactions of DNA, RNA, and proteins with environmental and lifestyle factors, have revolutionized disease diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. High-throughput technologies, such as next-generation sequencing, generate large amounts of molecular data, holding a wealth of knowledge. These datasets unveil the roles of genes and their interactions with various factors through analysis, shedding light on previously unknown molecular mechanisms underlying disease pathogenesis. Furthermore, they facilitate the discovery of biomarkers crucial for …

Exploring The Experiences Of Hiv Positive Pregnant Women On Prevention Of Vertical Transmission Of Hiv/Aids In Rural Malawi, Gertrude Finyiza

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to be the primary conduct that HIV is transmitted to children worldwide. The problem of HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is having a great impact on the world's children. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Malawi continues to be a serious public health issue, especially for expectant mothers. The health outcomes of mothers and children remain significantly threatened by vertical HIV transmission, even with improvements in preventive and treatment efforts. The purpose of this thesis was to explore the experiences of HIV-positive pregnant women in Malawi. I conducted semi structured interviews with thirteen …

Therapeutic Effects Of Bet Protein Inhibition In B-Cell Malignancies And Beyond, Audrey L. Smith

Theses & Dissertations

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) develops through a combination of intrinsic genetic defects, constitutively active survival/proliferation signaling pathways, and complex microenvironment interactions. Redundant tumor microenvironment (TME) immuno-suppressive mechanisms and epigenetic maintenance of terminal T-cell dysfunction also greatly hinder anti-tumor T-cell responses in CLL. Small-molecule agents targeting the B-cell receptor (BCR) pathway and anti-apoptotic proteins alone or in combination with chemo-immunotherapy have revolutionized the management of CLL, yet there is still a significant need for novel therapeutic strategies to yield durable tumor elimination. Bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) proteins are epigenetic readers that bind to acetyl-lysine residues on histones to regulate gene …

Novel Spirocyclic Dimer (Spid3) Displays Potent Preclinical Effects In Hematological Malignancies, Alexandria Eiken

Theses & Dissertations

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a heterogeneous disease characterized by the accumulation of mature CD5⁺ B-cells in the peripheral blood, bone marrow, and secondary lymphoid tissues (e.g., spleen and lymph nodes).Despite the efficacy of front-line therapies, CLL is still an incurable disease, highlighting the need for development of novel therapeutics and further study of resistance mechanisms. Within the lymph node CLL tumor microenvironment (TME), there is an upregulation of gene signatures associated with B-cell receptor (BCR) and downstream nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling compared to CLL cells found within the blood or bone marrow niches. Additionally, BCR signaling …

Evaluating The Association Of Influenza Vaccination On Long-Term Covid-19 Symptoms In U.S. Adults, Ratnakar Pingili

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Objective. To evaluate the association of influenza vaccination in the past 12 months with Long COVID effects and clinical and sociodemographic factors.

Methods. Cross-sectional study with data from the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), covering 415,132 non-institutionalized U.S. adults with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis and influenza vaccination reported within the last 12 months. Logistic regression was conducted between influenza vaccination (exposure) and Long COVID (outcome), controlling for demographic variables, pre-existing health conditions, and socioeconomic status.

Results. Of 120,603 participants, 21.89% reported Long COVID symptoms and 42.04% had received an influenza vaccine. Findings indicate a statistically significant 13% reduction …

Development And Implementation Of An Evidence Based Practice Guideline Related To The Management Of Adult Angioedema, Megan Przybysz

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Angioedema (AE) is a potentially life-threatening medical condition that occurs with a higher frequency than medical providers may expect, with the emergency department (ED) serving as the usual first point of medical contact for patients. Any hesitation in recognizing AE or inconsideration of the disease process in differential diagnoses may lead to a dangerous delay of care. Due to the potential rapid progression of airway obstruction in AE, inexperienced providers should not attempt intubation, instead deferring to providers experienced in alternative airway techniques (i.e., anesthesia providers). The primary goal of this project is to develop an evidencebased practice guideline for …

Engineering Mesenchymal Stromal Cells To Suppress Inflammation And Increase Beta-Cell Mass For Treating Type 1 Diabetes, Dhruva Patel

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a life-threatening autoimmune disease where the immune system destroys the insulin producing beta-cells in the pancreas. There is no cure for the disease, and the current treatment involves life-long, daily injection of insulin. An ideal therapy for T1D will be the suppression of autoimmunity and increased functional beta-cell mass. The immune regulatory cytokine IL10 can suppress inflammation in various autoimmune diseases. On the other hand, several growth factors and peptide hormones are known to promote an increase in beta-cell mass, through neogenesis and beta-cell proliferation. However, efficient induction of increased beta-cell mass requires preferential and …

Citrullinated And Malondialdehyde-Acetaldehyde Modified Proteins Promote Cellular Inflammatory And Fibrotic Responses Associated With Rheumatoid Arthritis, Nozima Aripova

Theses & Dissertations

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic, autoimmune disease primarily characterized by perpetual synovial inflammation that results in synovial tissue proliferation and fibrosis (pannus). Although joint involvement is the predominant manifestation of RA, extra-articular features, such as interstitial lung disease (ILD), contribute significantly to the elevated mortality associated with the condition. Post-translational modifications play a significant role in RA and RA-ILD pathogenesis. Circulating anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs) are a highly diagnostic tool implicating a potential role for citrullinated antigens in RA and RA-ILD.

Recently, antibodies to malondialdehyde acetaldehyde adducts (MAA) have been markedly elevated in patients with RA and RA-ILD. MAA …

Intestinal Microbiome, Fecal Fermentation Profile, And Health Indices In Hiv Infected Men Versus Non-Infected Controls, Mary Andreae, Mary C. Andreae Mrs

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Many HIV-positive (HIV+) males on Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART) experience metabolic abnormalities, including Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and lipodystrophy. The intestinal microbiota and short chain fatty acids (SCFA), participate in bidirectional communication with their host. Dysbiosis in HIV+ males on HAART demonstrate a Prevotella-rich enterotype shaped by multiple factors including, medications, adiposity, diet, intestinal permeability, and lifestyle; our objective was to investigate these factors. 19 HIV+ and 21 HIV- males were enrolled. BMI and hip-to-waist ratio (H:W) were obtained, and FibroScan for liver health. Intestinal permeability markers Claudin-21, flagellin, and intestinal fatty acid binding protein (IFABP) in …

Adherence To A Gluten-Free Diet And Depression, And Nutrient Distribution In Participants With Celiac Disease, Mohammad K. Shushari

Theses and Dissertations

Celiac disease (CD), an autoimmune disorder affecting millions of Americans, poses significant obstacles leading to a normal life. With no known cure, adherence to a strict glutenfree diet (GFD) is essential. However, the cost and limited availability of gluten-free alternatives can burden individuals with CD. Additionally, factors such as socioeconomic status, nutrient deficiencies, and the nature of the disease may contribute to mental health issues. This study aimed to investigate the influence of adherence to a GFD on depression in CD patients. The prevalence of depression among individuals with CD from diverse backgrounds was examined, along with the analysis of …