Medical Cell Biology Commons^™

Hepatocyte Peroxisome Biogenesis And Phytol-Induced Metabolic Stress In Liver Disease, William Galloway

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Hepatocyte peroxisomes are required for metabolism of phytol-derived branched-chain fatty acids through the ACOX2-SCPx beta-oxidation pathway. This study tests whether hepatocyte-specific deletion of PEX16 (Pex16^Alb-Cre), which eliminates peroxisome biogenesis, sensitizes the liver to phytol-induced injury. The Pex16^Alb-Cre mice and their normal control Pex16^fl/fl mice were fed the Lieber-DeCarli liquid with or without 0.1 percent phytol for eight weeks. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and liver index were measured. Liver sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and Masson’s trichrome. Immunoblot analysis of peroxisomal enzyme expression was also performed. Phytol had no effect in Pex16^fl/fl mice as …

Anti-Egfr Aptamer Exhibits Direct Anti-Cancer Effects In Nsclc Cells Harboring Egfr L858r Mutations, Brian J. Thomas, Sania Z. Awan, Trupti Joshi, Mark A. Daniels, David Porciani, Donald H. Burke

Biomedical Sciences

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is a leading cause of death worldwide. Activating mutations in the tyrosine kinase domain of the oncogene epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are responsible for ~10–50% of all LUAD cases. Although tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been effective in prolonging patient survival and quality of life, acquired resistance and disease progression are inevitable, presenting a clear unmet need for alternative or adjuvant therapeutics. Here we show that an anti-EGFR aptamer (EGFRapt) decreases viability and tumor growth of LUAD cell lines harboring the L858R ± T790M mutation in EGFR. Additionally, we elucidate …

Small And Long Non-Coding Rna Analysis For Humantrophoblast-Derived Extracellular Vesicles And Their Effect On The Transcriptome Profile Of Human Neural Progenitor Cells, Jessica A. Kinkade, Pallav Singh, Mohit Verma, Teka Khan, Toshihoko Ezashi, Nathan J. Bivens, R. Michael Roberts, Trupti Joshi, Cheryl S. Rosenfeld

Biomedical Sciences

In mice, the fetal brain is dependent upon the placenta for factors that guide its early development. This linkage between the two organs has given rise to the term, the placenta–brain axis. A similar interrelationship between the two organs may exist in humans. We hypothesize that extracellular vesicles (EVs) released from placental trophoblast (TB) cells transport small RNA and other informational biomolecules from the placenta to the brain where their contents have pleiotropic effects. Here, EVs were isolated from the medium in which human trophoblasts (TBs) had been differentiated in vitro from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) and from cultured …

Role Of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Signaling In Diet-Enhanced Bone Elongation, Cassaundra A. White

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Childhood obesity has increased precipitously to the point that almost 20% of children between the ages of 2 and 19 have been diagnosed with obesity. While obesity is a complex metabolic disorder, one contributing factor is diet, particularly a diet high in fat. Among many problems associated with diet-induced obesity, the impact on skeletal health is often overlooked. In addition to increased stress on the skeleton due to excess weight, obesity also disrupts the endocrine and immune systems that, in turn, can secondarily alter skeletal growth. Obesity during the early years of childhood is particularly detrimental because the skeleton is …

Role Of Thymidine Phosphorylase In Type 2 Diabetes-Associated High-Risk Of Thrombosis, Adam Belcher

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), such as ischemic heart disease and stroke, are the leading causes of death globally that disproportionally affects patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) at a 2-4-fold rate compared to non-diabetic patients. These CVDs result from a blood clot, also known as a thrombus, formed in arteries that can block blood flow resulting in tissue damage and death. Antiplatelet drugs, such as aspirin and clopidogrel, used to prevent thrombosis have been found to be less effective in diabetics and increase the risk of hemorrhagic events. The T2DM epidemic has made it imperative to find therapies that decrease …

Na/K-Atpase Alphα1 Regulates Adipogenesis Via Its Conserved Caveolin Binding Motif, Minqi Huang

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The Na/K-ATPase (NKA) was identified in 1957 by Dr. Jens C. Skou. It belongs to the P-type ATPase family, which can actively transport ions across cell membranes by using the energy from adenosine triphosphate (ATP) hydrolysis. During the second half of the 20th century, the molecular mechanism of the NKA catalytic cycle was clarified, and the isoform diversity of NKA in different species and organs was identified. The active ion transport through NKA generates cell membrane ion gradients and the electric potential. Hence, the enzymatic function of NKA is critical for cell viability as well as multiple physiological processes including …

The Epigenetic Effects Of Omega-3 Fatty Acids In Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma, Tanner Jeffrey Bakhshi

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of lymphoma. It is an aggressive cancer, with 50-70% of patients diagnosed at an advanced stage and 30-50% of patients not cured by chemoimmunotherapy. DLBCL is almost always caused by genetic damage sustained during the germinal center (GC) reaction. The mechanisms that govern the GC reaction bear a striking resemblance to those that drive DLBCL. Genomic studies have shown that some of its most common mutations occur in genes that encode epigenetic modifiers, including the lysine (histone) acetyltransferases CREBBP and p300. These mutations prevent the acetylation of multiple histone residues, …

Targeting Epigenetic Mechanisms In Endometriosis, Sarah Elizabeth Brunty

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Endometriosis is a complex and elusive gynecological disease in which the inner lining of the uterus grows in locations outside of the uterus and forms lesions. It is known to affect 1 in 9 women of reproductive age worldwide. Symptoms of endometriosis include severe pain, heavy periods, and infertility. While multiple theories of origin exist, none fully encompass all aspects of the disease, although all theories agree that this is an inflammation-driven disease. Due to this, many researchers are turning towards epigenetics to explain the initiation and progression of endometriosis. However, what is causing these epigenetic changes is still a …

Crippling Rapid Evolution Of Metastasis And Drug Resistance In A549 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells With The Clinically Relevant Hsp90 Inhibitor Auy922, Nickolas Anthony Bacon

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The ability for species to evolve new features in response to changing circumstances in order to survive and propagate is a ubiquitous observation on both the macroscopic and microscopic levels of living systems. It should be no surprise, then, that diseases such as cancer utilize their own forms of adaptation to perpetuate themselves when exposed to external threats. Indeed, concepts drawn from Darwinian evolution are now widely accepted to help explain certain aspects of carcinogenesis and malignant progression, the sum of which have come to be known as the theory of tumor evolution. Since metastasis and drug resistance are features …

Genetic And Epigenetic Determinants Of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma, Tanner Bakhshi, Philippe T. Georgel

Biomedical Sciences

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of lymphoma and is notorious for its heterogeneity, aggressive nature, and the frequent development of resistance and/or relapse after treatment with standard chemotherapy. To address these problems, a strong emphasis has been placed on researching the molecular origins and mechanisms of DLBCL to develop effective treatments. One of the major insights produced by such research is that DLBCL almost always stems from genetic damage that occurs during the germinal center (GC) reaction, which is required for the production of high-affinity antibodies. Indeed, there is significant overlap between the mechanisms that …

Dysfunctional Mitochondrial Biogenesis: A Potential Underlying Cause For Metabolic Diseases, Caroline Ann Hunter

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Mitochondria are essential organelles that play crucial roles in many aspects of cellular homeostasis. More importantly, the mitochondria are home to the majority of the metabolic pathways within the cell and are responsible for producing most of the cell’s useable energy in the form of adenine triphosphate (ATP) through oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). In mammals, the majority of OXPHOS complex subunits are encoded by nuclear deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA); however, 13 core subunits essential for the function of OXPHOS complexes I, III, IV, and V are encoded in the mitochondrial (mt) DNA (mtDNA) and are synthesized within the mitochondria by its own …

Mechanistic Study Of Diatrizoic Acid Induced Proximal Tubule Cytotoxicity, Dakota Blake Ward

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Radiocontrast media (RCM) are necessary for many diagnostic procedures such as arteriography, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and computed tomography. Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is the third most common cause of hospital-associated kidney damage accounting for 10-25% of cases worldwide. The mechanisms of contrast-induced renal impairment are not entirely known, but diminished renal hemodynamics, inflammatory responses, and direct cytotoxicity have been hypothesized. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanisms of direct cytotoxicity observed in HK-2 cells following treatment with diatrizoic acid (DA) and to determine the source of this damage. Mitochondrial function, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, oxidative …

Regulation Of Na-K-Atpase By Arachidonic Acid Metabolites In Intestinal Epithelial Cells, Niraj Nepa

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The integral membrane protein sodium potassium adenosine triphosphate (Na-K-ATPase), has been extensively studied in various animal cell models. Na-K-ATPase is a multifunctional enzyme which plays a significant role in cellular physiology by regulating electrochemical potential, cell volume, pH, cytosolic calcium, and many nutrient and electrolyte transport processes. As such, it has been implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and has been shown to play a vital role in the malabsorption of nutrients and electrolytes. In this context, a significant amount of research has been done over the last two decades to understand the mechanisms of alteration of …

Potential Applications Of Capsaicinoids In Small Cell Lung Cancer Therapy, Jamie Rae Friedman

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Lung cancer continues to be the leading cause of cancer related mortality worldwide. Lung cancer is not a single disease but an umbrella that encompasses two major classifications, nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). SCLC represents about 15- 20% of all lung cancer cases and is almost exclusively diagnosed in smokers. Typically, patients will respond very well to first line treatment, but face inevitable relapse. The fact that SCLC still carries a grim 5-year survival rate of less than 5% highlights the lack of advancement in treatment options to effectively improve patient response and survival. …

Endogenous Antioxidant Overexpression As An Adjuvant To Diet Or Exercise Intervention As Therapy To Counteract Obesity And Beneficially Shift The Gut Microbiome, Deborah Lynn Amos

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Oxidative stress plays a key role in metabolic syndrome which includes obesity and cardiometabolic diseases. It is implicated that oxygen-derived free radicals generated during the mitochondrial electron transport chain alter the function of specific biological components, thus activating obesogenic pathways such as glucose and lipid signaling. Research on this topic is of vital importance as obesity is a high-risk factor in the development and progression of severe, debilitating, life-threatening maladies such as cardiometabolic diseases, chronic inflammatory pathologies, and cancer. Furthermore, there is no universal effective therapy to combat the rising rates of obesity with over 1.9 billion (39%) adults classified …

Naktide Targeted To Adipocytes Ameliorates Western Diet Induced Obesity, Rebecca D. Pratt

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Obesity has become a worldwide epidemic and is a major risk factor for metabolic syndrome. It is believed that cellular oxidant stress plays a key role in both the development and maintenance of obesity as well as its associated comorbidities such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). We have previously reported that systemic administration of pNaKtide, which targets the Na/K-ATPase oxidant amplification loop was able to decrease oxidative stress and adiposity in mice fed a high fat and fructose supplemented western diet (WD). As adipocytes are believed to play an active role in the development of obesity and …

Understanding Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Alginate Regulation And Its Link To Chronic Lung Infections In Cystic Fibrosis Patients, Roy Al Ahmar

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder caused by mutations in the gene encoding Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR). This disorder results in thick lung secretions which compromise the patient’s immune system. Chronic lung infections with Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms is a major factor that contributes to poor outcome for clinical treatment. The overall hypothesis of this dissertation is that small colony variant and pyrimidine biosynthesis are linked with biofilm formation, alginate production is dependent on MucA proteolysis, rifaximin can be repurposed to treat biofilm infection and multiplex PCR can be used to rapidly measure the bacterial cell density in …

Doxorubicin Cytotoxicity In A Human Proximal Tubular Epithelial Cell Line Was Attenuated By The Natural Product Resveratrol, Morghan Schuyler Getty

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The cancer chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin (DOX), Adriamycin, is part of the treatment regimen for breast, ovarian, small cell lung cancer and acute/chronic lymphoid leukemia. Adverse effects associated with DOX are cardiotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Interventions are needed to reduce DOX nephrotoxicity. Resveratrol (RES) is a phytochemical contained in grapes, berries and nuts, which possesses antioxidant and anticancer properties. This study tested the hypothesis that RES will attenuate DOX renal cytotoxicity in human noncancerous renal proximal tubular epithelial (HK-2) cells and that RES will reduce DOX mediated changes in mitochondrial function. HK-2 cells were plated and grown for 48 hours (h). Cells …

Theaflavin-3, 3'-Digallate Induces Apoptosis And G2 Cell Cycle Arrest Through The Akt/Mdm2/P53 Pathway In Cisplatin-Resistant Ovarian Cancer A2780/Cp70 Cells, Youying Tu, Eunhye Kim, Ying Gao, Gary O. Rankin, Bo Li, Yi Charlie Chen

Pharmacology, Physiology and Toxicology

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological cancer among women worldwide. Adverse side effects and acquired resistance to conventional platinum based chemotherapy are major impediments in ovarian cancer treatment, and drive the development of more selective anticancer drugs that target cancer-specific defects. In this study, theaflavin-3, 3'-digallate (TF3), the major theaflavin monomer in black tea, exhibited a potent growth inhibitory effect on the cisplatinresistant ovarian cancer A2780/CP70 cells (IC50, 23.81 μM), and was less cytotoxic to a normal ovarian IOSE‑364 cells (IC50, 59.58 μM) than to the cancer cells. Flow cytometry analysis indicated that TF3 induced preferential apoptosis and G2 …

Delaying Chemotherapy In The Treatment Of Stage Iv Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Does Not Adversely Affect Survival Outcome, Mohammad Mozayen Md, Mohamed Alsharedi, Inderjit Mehmi, Todd W. Gress Md, Maria Tria Tirona Md

Biochemistry and Microbiology

Background: Whether a delay in the initiation of chemotherapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can affect overall survival is not well studied. We aim to evaluate the effect of the time interval between diagnosis and initiation of chemotherapy on overall survival in patients with stage IV NSCLC.

Methods: A retrospective review of newly diagnosed stage IV NSCLC patients who received chemotherapy between 1995 and 2012 was conducted. Demographics, histology and site(s) of metastases of patients were reviewed. Time interval between the date of diagnosis and the date of starting chemotherapy was calculated in days. Patients were divided in …

Gallic Acid, A Phenolic Compound, Exerts Anti-Angiogenic Effects Via The Pten/Akt/Hif-1Α/Vegf Signaling Pathway In Ovarian Cancer Cells, Zhiping He, Allen Y. Chen, Yon Rojanasakul, Gary O. Rankin, Yi Charlie Chen

Pharmacology, Physiology and Toxicology

Gallic acid (GA), a polyphenol, is widely found in numerous fruits and vegetables, particularly in hickory nuts. In the present study, we found that gallic acid, a natural phenolic compound isolated from fruits and vegetables, had a more potent growth inhibitory effect on two ovarian cancer cell lines, OVCAR-3 and A2780/CP70, than the effect on a normal ovarian cell line, IOSE-364. These results demonstrated that GA selectively inhibits the growth of cancer cells. Gene expression was examined by ELISA and western blot analysis, and gene pathways were examined by luciferase assay. It was found that GA inhibited VEGF secretion and …

Myricetin Inhibits Proliferation Of Cisplatin-Resistant Cancer Cells Through A P53-Dependent Apoptotic Pathway, Haizhi Huang, Allen Y. Chen, Xingqian Ye, Bingyun Li, Yon Rojanasakul, Gary O. Rankin, Yi Charlie Chen

Pharmacology, Physiology and Toxicology

Cisplatin is a commonly used drug for cancer treatment by crosslinking DNA, leading to apoptosis of cancer cells, resistance to cisplatin treatment often occurs, leading to relapse. Therefore, there is a need for the development of more effective treatment strategies that can overcome chemoresistance. Myricetin is a flavonoid from fruits and vegetables, showing anticancer activity in various cancer cells. In this study, we found myricetin exhibited greater cytotoxicity than cisplatin in two cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cell lines, OVCAR-3 and A2780/CP70, and it was less cytotoxic to the normal ovarian cell line IOSE-364. Myricetin selectively induced apoptosis in both cisplatinresistant cancer …

Investigation Of Ultrasound Targeted Microbubbles As A Therapeutic Gene Delivery System For Prostate Cancer, Rounak Paramjeet Nande

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

A major challenge for effective gene therapy is systemic delivery of viruses carrying therapeutic genes into affected tissue. The immunogenic nature of human adenoviruses (Ads) limits their use for intratumoral (IT) injection in gene therapy. Ads transfection is further hampered by the fluctuating presence of Coxsackie and Adenovirus Receptor (CAR) and integrins on the cells’ surface. To circumvent these limitations we developed a novel approach wherein Ads are encapsulated inside the shell of lyophilized, lipid-encapsulated, perfluorocarbon microbubbles (MBs)/ultrasound (US) contrast agents, which act as delivery vehicles for a sitespecific gene transfer system.

We performed infection studies with Ad.GFP (Green Fluorescent …

Identification And Characterization Of Downstream Effector Protein(S) Regulated By P53 And Prb, Miranda B. Carper

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

A commonality among cancer types is the high frequency of mutations that inhibit or alter signaling of the p53 and pRb (Retinoblastoma) tumor suppressors. These genes regulate processes vital for cancer suppression such as apoptosis, senescence, and cell cycle arrest among others. Loss of both p53 and pRb promotes processes that support cancer progression and is associated with decreased patient survival and increased rates of tumor reoccurrence. Although data points to the ability of p53 and pRb to collaborate and to inhibit tumorigenesis, it remains unclear how p53 and pRb cooperate toward this task. Using RNA expression profiling, 179 p53 …

Benzyl Isothiocyanate As An Adjuvant Chemotherapy Option For Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Mary Allison Wolf

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Isothiocyanates (ITCs) are natural phytochemicals produced by cruciferous vegetables. Recent evidence supports that, in addition to cancer prevention, ITCs can use various mechanisms to target malignant cells. Current therapies for cancer often provoke detrimental side effects, however clinical evidence supports that ITCs have little to no side effects in patients. Consequently, ITCs may be a promising treatment option for cancer patients, especially patients suffering from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Despite recent improvements in cancer treatment, overall survival of advanced HNSCC has not improved in the past three decades. Metastasis and chemoresistance represent two detrimental events that greatly …

Role Of Iron In Ethanol Derived Hepatic Stress, Jesse A. Thornton

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Chronic alcohol abuse is the third leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Ethanol metabolism causes liver injury through alterations in hepatic metabolic state, redox status, and acetaldehyde adduct formations. Increased iron absorption is associated with chronic ethanol consumption and may play a role in ethanol induced oxidative stress. We tested the hypothesis that normal labile iron in the liver plays a role in ethanol related pathological stress, using C57/Bl6 mice pair-fed Lieber-DeCarli liquid ethanol diets for 11 and 22 weeks. Normal iron group mice received 55mg/kg iron as ferric citrate, whereas the low iron groups received 5mg/kg. …

Mussel Inspired Protein-Mediated Surface Modification To Electrospun Fibers And Their Potential Biomedical Applications, Jingwei Xie, Praveesuda Lorwattanapongsa Michael, Shaoping Zhong, Bing Ma, Matthew R. Macewan, Chwee Teck Lim

MIIR Faculty Research

Mussel inspired proteins have been demonstrated to serve as a versatile biologic adhesive with numerous applications. The present study illustrates the use of such Mussel inspired proteins (polydopamine) in the fabrication of functionalized bio-inspired nanomaterials capable of both improving cell response and sustained delivery of model probes. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis confirmed the ability of dopamine to polymerize on the surface of plasma-treated, electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) fiber mats to form polydopamine coating. Transmission electron microscopy images demonstrated that self-polymerization of dopamine was induced by pH shift and that the thickness of polydopamine coating was readily modulated by adjusting the concentration …

The Role Of Ptip In Breast Cancer, Lina Niu

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

In the U.S., breast cancer comprises about 30% of all cancer cases (excluding skin cancer) in women. Such a high incidence makes breast cancer a significant health concern, but our understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of this disease is still limited. Growing evidence suggests that the development of human breast cancer may involve epigenetics, which attributes changes in phenotype to mechanisms other than changes in the DNA sequence itself. Histones as the chief proteins of chromatin work on gene expression, and methylation of histone 3 lysine 4 (H3K4) results in transcriptional activation. Lately, Paired box (Pax) trans-activation domain-interacting …

Redox Regulation Of Differentiation In Neuroblastoma, Anne Marie Silvis

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor in childhood, ranking third in prevalence among infant cancers. Despite intensive therapy with surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, there is a high chance of tumor recurrence. These children are therefore given retinoids in the maintenance phase to differentiate the tumor cells and to avoid/lessen this incidence. Although 13-cis retinoic acid (13-cis RA) is currently used to treat neuroblastoma, there is much evidence supporting the prevalence of its metabolite, all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), to be the main signaling retinoid in vivo.

The SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cell line, which is composed of three sub-types: sympatheoadrenal neuroblasts …

Down-Regulation Of The Transcription Factor Snail In The Placentas Of Patients With Preeclampsia And In A Rat Model Of Preeclampsia, Larissa Federova, Cara Gatto-Weis, Sleiman Smaili, Nauman Khurshid, Joseph I. Shapiro M.D., Deepak Malhorta, Terrence Horrigan

Biochemistry and Microbiology

Background: Placental malfunction in preeclampsia is believed to be a consequence of aberrant differentiation of trophoblast lineages and changes in utero-placental oxygenation. The transcription factor Snail, a master regulator molecule of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in embryonic development and in cancer, is shown to be involved in trophoblast differentiation as well. Moreover, Snail can be controlled by oxidative stress and hypoxia. Therefore, we examined the expression of Snail and its downstream target, e-cadherin, in human normal term, preterm and preeclamptic placentas, and in pregnant rats that developed preeclampsia-like symptoms in the response to a 20- fold increase in sodium intake.

Methods: Western …