Immunology and Infectious Disease Commons^™

The Role Of Alarmins, Invariant Nkt Cells And Senescence In The Pathophysiology Of Sterile Intra-Amniotic Inflammation, Olesya Plazyo

Wayne State University Dissertations

Preterm birth is defined as the delivery of a live baby prior to the 37th week of gestation. It is the leading cause of neonatal mortality worldwide. Preterm neonates are at a higher risk for short- and long-term complications, and prematurity places significant burden on our society. Elucidation of the mechanisms that lead to spontaneous preterm labor will enable development of therapies to prevent this syndrome. We aimed to study pathological inflammation that is implicated in the pathophysiology of spontaneous preterm labor.

Pathological inflammation can be initiated by the activation of innate immunity either by microorganisms or alarmins, which are …

Cross-Sectional Analysis Of Salivary Cortisol And Cyathostome Infestation In Horses, Danielle L. Keating

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects

With an increase in anthelmintic resistance and decreased efficacy of many commercial dewormers, understanding factors that contribute to parasite infestations in horses is integral to their management. The goal of this study was to look at the potential relationship between parasites and stress response by evaluating salivary cortisol levels and cyathostome egg shedding levels. Using a sample size of n = 200 horses from the state of Ohio, fecal and saliva samples were collected from each horse. Fecal egg counts were performed for each horse with a modified Stoll method, and saliva samples were tested with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay …

The Expression Of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor In Raw 264.7 Macrophages In The Presence Of Socs1 Peptide And Socs3 Peptide Mimetic And Cells Infected With Hsv-1, Maher Salem Alwethaynani

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Macrophages play a crucial role for our immune system and protect our body from infection. Suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) proteins negatively regulate cytokine receptor and TLRs. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) also performs an important role in immunity. This study investigated the changes in expression of AhR in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells after the addition of SOCS1 and SOCS3 peptide mimetics and also examined AhR expression in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells before and after the addition of HSV-1 RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cell lines which are from male BALB/c mice were used in this study. The addition of the …

How Compatible Is Cow’S Milk With The Human Immune System?, Mindy Knopfler

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Cow’s milk has been part of the human diet for at least 8,000 years and provides a rich source of proteins, lipids, vitamins, and minerals. Despite its longstanding importance in human nutrition, questions remain about how compatible cow’s milk is with our immune system. Cow’s milk allergy (CMA) is the most common form of food allergy in infants and children and cow’s milk has been implicated in a number of immune-mediated disorders. Reviewing current research obtained through Google Scholar and Touro’s library database on CMA and the potential role of cow’s milk in systemic inflammation and autoimmunity reveals a tangle …

Genomic Insights Into The Ixodes Scapularis Tick Vector Of Lyme Disease, Monika Gulia-Nuss, Andrew B. Nuss, Jason M. Meyer, Daniel E. Sonenshine, R. Michael Roe, Robert M. Waterhouse, David B. Sattelle, Jose De La Fuente, Jose M. Ribeiro, Karine Megy

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Ticks transmit more pathogens to humans and animals than any other arthropod. We describe the 2.1 Gbp nuclear genome of the tick, Ixodes scapularis (Say), which vectors pathogens that cause Lyme disease, human granulocytic anaplasmosis, babesiosis and other diseases. The large genome reflects accumulation of repetitive DNA, new lineages of retro-transposons, and gene architecture patterns resembling ancient metazoans rather than pancrustaceans. Annotation of scaffolds representing ~57% of the genome, reveals 20,486 protein-coding genes and expansions of gene families associated with tick-host interactions. We report insights from genome analyses into parasitic processes unique to ticks, including host 'questing', prolonged feeding, cuticle …

Characterization Of Il-22-Producing Cells In The Human Thymus And The Mechanism By Which Il-22 Expression Is Modulated By Thymic Epithelial Cells., Nadine N. Morgan

Master's Theses

Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) are indispensable for T cell development and maturation. Therefore, damages to the thymic epithelial cells are detrimental to thymic function and immune response. In young healthy individuals, TECs have a high regenerative potential and are capable of renewal from serious damage; however, the molecular mechanism of this recovery is unclear. A recent study has shown that IL-22-producing ILCs are present in the mouse thymus and can regenerate thymic epithelial cells following radiation induced injuries. However, it is unknown whether IL-22-producing cells are also found in the human thymus. Thus, the goal of this study is to …

A Study Of Immune-Regulation Of Microbiota Supernatant On Macrophage Function, An N. Nguyen

Master's Theses

The diverse human microbial ecosystem colonizes many different body sites. The gastrointestinal (GI) tract, especially, is a major region that that harbors a complex microbial community composed of trillions of commensal bacteria. Interactions between the commensal bacteria and the host immune system begin at birth and continue through the human lifespan. In the gut, commensal bacteria help the host to ensure the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis as well as the mucosal barrier structure through host stimulation of mucus and antimicrobial molecules. The secretion of these host factors functions to inhibit pathogenic invasion and maintain the population of commensal bacteria. The …

Defining The Role Of A Putative Peptidase In Staphylococcus Aureus Quorum Sensing And Pathogenesis, Chelsea Rose White

Master's Theses

The pathogenic bacterium Staphylococcus aureus encounters a variety of immune cells that restrict bacterial growth and dissemination during infection. However, S. aureus counters these immune cell functions by producing myriad virulence factors that facilitate evasion of host defenses. Therefore, it is important to understand S. aureus-immune cell interactions and the virulence factors that perturb normal immune function to promote pathogenesis. In a genetic screen designed to identify S. aureus secreted factors that modulate macrophage activity our lab identified a transposon insertion mutant in the gene SAUSA300_1984, encoding a putative membrane spanning peptidase. To investigate the role of 1984 in pathogenesis, …

Microbes And Alzheimer's Disease, Ruth Itzhaki, Richard Lathe, Brian J. Balin, Melvyn J. Ball, Elaine L. Bearer, Heiko Braak, Maria J. Bullido, Chris Carter, Mario Clerici, Et Al.

PCOM Scholarly Works

We are researchers and clinicians working on Alzheimer's disease (AD) or related topics, and we write to express our concern that one particular aspect of the disease has been neglected, even though treatment based on it might slow or arrest AD progression. We refer to the many studies, mainly on humans, implicating specific microbes in the elderly brain, notably herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1), Chlamydia pneumoniae, and several types of spirochaete, in the etiology of AD. Fungal infection of AD brain has also been described, as well as abnormal microbiota in AD patient blood. The first observations of HSV1 …

The Expression Of Major Histocompatibility Class I And Major Histocompatibility Class Ii On Macrophages In The Presence Of Aryl Hydrocarbon Antagonist (Ch-223191), Caitlin Wilson

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Macrophages are crucial for ridding the body of debris and foreign cells. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) also plays a critical role in immunity. This study examined the effect of the AhR on the expression of major histocompatiability complex class I (MHCI) and MHC class II (MHCII) in two murine macrophage cell lines. This study used Raw264.7 and J774A.1 murine macrophage cell lines. The Raw264.7 cells are from male BALB/c mice while the J774A.1 cells are from female BALB/cN mice. The addition of the AhR anatagonist CH-223191 (AhRa) showed that the AhR does not significantly impact MHCI expression. However, MHCII …

Endohelminth Parasites Of Some Midwater And Benthopelagic Stomiiform Fishes From The Northern Gulf Of Mexico, Michael J. Andres, Mark S. Peterson, Robin M. Overstreet

Gulf and Caribbean Research

: Mesopelagic fishes represent significant ecological links between mesozooplankton and the larger pelagic squids, fishes, and marine mammals. As such, these fishes also play a significant role as intermediate or paratenic hosts for parasites that require a crustacean intermediate host and mature in marine mammals or pelagic fishes. We examined a total of 208 individuals representing 5 species of Sternoptychidae and 88 individuals representing 2 species of Phosichthyidae from 20 locations in the northern Gulf of Mexico (nGOM). Six of the 7 species we examined are mesopelagic and one species was benthopelagic. We found the larval stages of Anisakis brevispiculata …

Role Of Adrenergic Neurons In Motor Control: Examination Of Cerebellar Purkinje Neurons In Mice Following Selective Adrenergic Cell Ablation In Vivo, Monica Mansour

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (Pnmt) is the enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of noradrenaline to adrenaline. These catecholamines are synthesized in the medulla of the adrenal gland and by some neurons of the central nervous system. The precise location of Pnmt action in the brain and its physiological significance are unknown. Prior studies led by Aaron Owji, a graduate student in Dr. Ebert’s laboratory, showed that mice with selectively ablated Pnmt cells show signs of neurological defects such as abnormal gait, weakened grip strength, lack of balance, reduced movement, and defective reflexes during tail suspension tests.

The cerebellum is a small section of …

The Utilization Of Morphological And Genetic Diagnostic Techniques For The Description Of Trematode Species Collected From Waterbirds From Lake Winnibigoshish, Minnesota, Usa, Tyler Joseph Achatz

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Historically, morphological techniques for species identification were the leading diagnostic methodology, however, the increased usage of genetic techniques has led to a decrease in reports of morphometrics. The decrease in morphological reports increases the chance of missing diagnostic morphometrics. The three studies described herein used morphological and genetic diagnostic methods to identify trematodes from five families in order to improve genetic and morphological information for trematode species identification.

The first study identified ten species of trematodes from intestines of waterbirds previously collected from Lake Winnibigoshish, Minnesota. Nine of the species were sequenced for 28S ribosomal DNA (rDNA). Two species were …

Differences In Rhodococcus Equi Infections Based On Immune Status And Antibiotic Susceptibility Of Clinical Isolates In A Case Series Of 12 Patients And Cases In The Literature, Praveen Gundelly, Yasuhiro Suzuki, Julie A. Ribes, Alice C. Thornton

Internal Medicine Faculty Publications

Rhodococcus equi is an unusual zoonotic pathogen that can cause life-threatening diseases in susceptible hosts. Twelve patients with R. equi infection in Kentucky were compared to 137 cases reported in the literature. Although lungs were the primary sites of infection in immunocompromised patients, extrapulmonary involvement only was more common in immunocompetent patients (P > 0.0001). Mortality in R. equi-infected HIV patients was lower in the HAART era (8%) than in pre-HAART era (56%) (P > 0.0001), suggesting that HAART improves prognosis in these patients. Most (85–100%) of clinical isolates were susceptible to vancomycin, clarithromycin, rifampin, aminoglycosides, ciprofloxacin, and imipenem. …

Acanthocephala Of Arkansas, Including New Host And Geographic Distribution Records From Fishes, C. T. Mcallister, D. J. Richardson, M. A. Barger, T. J. Fayton, H. W. Robison

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Little is known about the spiny- or thorny-headed worms (Phylum Acanthocephala) of Arkansas and there are no summaries on the acanthocephalans of the state. Here, we provide a checklist of the 22 acanthocephalans that occur in Arkansas’ vertebrates based on previously published records and new data presented herein. In addition, we document a new state record as well as 13 new host records for some fish acanthocephalans.

The Ticks (Arachnida: Acari: Ixodida) Of Arkansas, C. T. Mcallister, L. A. Durden, H. W. Robison

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Although ticks are a nuisance to humans and other animals, they are an important part of the biota of North America. In addition, they are vectors of many tick-borne disease agents that can negatively affect higher vertebrates. In Arkansas, there have been no recent comprehensive summaries of the ticks (Acari: Ixodida) in the last 40+ yrs. Here, we provide a summary of the ticks of the state and note the disease agents they can transmit.

Analysis Of Fy Promoter And Hepatocystis Load In South African Vervet Monkeys (Chlorocebus Aethiops), Benjamin J. Gombash

All Master's Theses

There are species of Hepatocystis and Plasmodium, related blood parasites, that enter the cell through a chemokine receptor, coded for by the Duffy antigen/receptor for chemokines in humans, and the FY*0 (FY Null) allele in the promoter of this gene results in the absence of this receptor on the exterior of the cell (Miller et al., 1977; Miller et al., 1975; Miller et al., 1976; Barnwell et al., 1989; Perkins and Schall, 2002; Martinsen et al., 2008; Tung et al., 2009). Humans without the receptor show resistance to multiple strains of Plasmodium (Tournamelle, et al., 1995; Zimmerman, et al. …

High Diversity Of Trypanosoma Cruzi Discrete Typing Units Circulating In Triatoma In Western Mexico, Uyen T. Nguyen

All Master's Theses

Chagas disease is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which is transmitted to domestic and sylvatic mammals via the feces of hematophagous hemiptera of the subfamily Triatominae (Reduviidae). Trypanosoma cruzi is found only in the Americas and displays remarkable genetic diversity. Seven discrete typing units (DTUs) are currently recognized (TcI–TcVI and TcBat). In Jalisco, Mexico, where Chagas disease has a high prevalence rate, TcI has historically been the only DTU reported. This study focused on the molecular identification of T. cruzi DTUs circulating in Triatoma near the Estación de Biología Chamela, on the southwest coast of Jalisco, Mexico. …

Vaccinations: Weighing The Risks And Benefits, Yosis Shapiro

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Research has proven that vaccines prevent disease. Important medical organizations conclusively support and advise the administration of vaccinations to prevent diseases that once caused devastating effects both in the individual who contracted, and in communities where these diseases spread. While some groups protest against the constitutionality of vaccinating, others counter that failure to do so subjects the unvaccinated to illness and death by contracting and spreading of the sickness. Despite statistics on reduced incidence of diseases with few consequences as a result of vaccine-induced passive immunity, fears of harm secondary to vaccination loom. In the 21st Century, many people are …

Effects Of Vaccine Preservatives And Adjuvants On Childhood Neurodevelopment, Reut Raveh

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Parental concerns about the safety of childhood vaccinations began in the 1990’s and continue until today. A primary concern of many parents is whether the adjuvants and preservatives added to the vaccines have the potential to cause neurodevelopmental disorders in young children. An overview of various studies was done to determine if thimerosal affects childhood neurodevelopment with studies suggesting that thimerosal potentially causes neurodevelopmental disorders. However, some studies suggest the opposite. As a result it is impossible to conclude whether thimerosal affects childhood neurodevelopment. However, measures should be taken to remove thimerosal from the childhood vaccination schedule. Additionally, the studies …