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1
Hall, Richard James, and n/a. "Chromosome 18 and autoimmune disease." University of Otago. Department of Biochemistry, 2005. http://adt.otago.ac.nz./public/adt-NZDU20070221.141018.
Full textAbstract:
The autoimmune diseases embody a diverse range of common human conditions that are caused by a loss of self-tolerance in the host immune system to a specific organ or tissue type. Approximately 5% of the general population are affected by autoimmune diseases which include type 1 diabetes (T1D), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Graves disease (GD). The majority of the autoimmune diseases are multifactorial in origin, brought about by a combination of both environmental and genetic factors. Numerous susceptibility loci have been identified for each autoimmune disease and a number of these loci have been shown to be shared amongst the autoimmune diseases. The fine-mapping of susceptibility loci to the underlying disease genes remains the current challenge facing complex disease genetics. This project aimed to further characterise the autoimmune disease susceptibility locus IDDM6 on chromosome 18q12-21. This was achieved by using a comparative mapping approach that incorporates the study of genetic association in human autoimmune disease alongside the consomic mapping of the orthologous region in the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse model of autoimmunity.
Deleted in colorectal carcinomas (DCC) provided a strong candidate gene at IDDM6 and the resident R201G polymorphism was identified as a functional candidate A potential mechanism for the R201G polymorphism involvement in T1D aetiology was identified where the polymorphism may affect the ability of DCC to induce apoptosis in vitro. However, no evidence for R201G association could be detected in autoimmune disease case-control datasets from the New Zealand (NZ) population (T1D n = 428, RA n = 730, autoimmune thyroid disease n = 192 (AITD); versus n = 1246 healthy controls). In addition, no evidence for R201G involvement in T1D could be provided in a transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) incorporating 382 affected sib-pair families (54.2% transmission; P = 0.15). Significant association of R201G with GD was detected in a United Kingdom (UK) dataset (P = 0.002) from the Newcastle population (423 cases vs. 393 controls) but this was not replicated in an additional dataset from the UK Birmingham population (731 cases vs 668 controls; P = 0.81). It was concluded that the R201G polymorphism may encode susceptibility to GD but is unlikely to be the sole aetiological variant that accounts for the linkage previously observed at IDDM6 in autoimmune disease. To further investigate DCC as a positional candidate at IDDM6, five SNPs were selected from a 100 kb window surrounding a DCC-resident microsatellite that had previously been associated with T1D, called "88,21". The five SNPs were genotyped in the NZ T1D dataset, and the ascertainment of estimated haplotypes in this dataset revealed association of a rare haplotype with T1D, called haplotype H (3.31% cases vs 1.17% controls; P = 0.0044), in addition to global association of all haplotypes (P = 0.018). Haplotype H was also associated in an independent case-control dataset from the UK comprised of 400 T1D subjects and 443 healthy controls (P = 0.038). Maximum support for association of haplotype H was extended when both the UK and NZ T1D datasets were combined (P = 0.0017). Association of haplotype H could not be verified in a family-based test for association using the 382 UK T1D families (P = 0.40). However, the inclusion of the DCC SNPs in a TDT analysis of the published DCC-resident microsatellites "88,21" and "55,26", that had been used to identify IDDM6, extends support for the previously-associated 2-10 haplotype (2-10 refers to the published allele nomenclature at "88,21" and "55,26" respectively; 2-10-haplotype A; 59.6% T; P = 0.0058). There was no evidence for association of the five SNPs with RA or AITD when using either individual SNP analyses or estimated haplotypes in the NZ datasets. A similar lack of association was reported for the UK Newcastle GD dataset. Taken together, these data further support DCC, or a nearby gene, as conferring susceptibility to T1D.
The human genetic data that supports IDDM6 involvement in autoimmune disease is further strengthened by consomic mapping of the orthologous region in mouse, using the non-obese diabetic mouse (NOD) model of autoimmune disease. In this thesis, the first evidence for a diabetes and thyroiditis susceptibility locus on mouse chromosome 18 is presented, which have been designated Idd21 and Sat1 respectively. This was achieved by using a chromosome-replacement strain with chromosome 18 derived from the diabetes-resistant Biozzi ABH strain on a diabetes-susceptible NOD genome, called NOD.ABH[Chr�⁸]. Mouse chromosome 18 contains orthology to both IDDM6 and the rat diabetes-susceptibility locus Iddm3. The NOD.ABH[Chr�⁸] mice showed a dramatic and significant reduction in diabetes incidence (30% of females were affected by 7 months of age versus 85% in NOD; P <0.0001) and that of thyroiditis (15.5% at 12 months compared to 37.4% in NOD; P <0.002).
The comparative mapping of the chromosome 18 autoimmune susceptibility locus IDDM6 in human and mouse presented in this thesis provides further support for this locus. This research also clearly defines the next steps required to fine-map IDDM6 to the underlying disease genes, especially in regard to the DCC gene.
2
Yang, Min, and 杨敏. "Role of regulatory B cells in autoimmune disease." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2012. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B48079832.
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Although B cells are well-known for their functions in antibody production and antigen presentation, certain B cell subsets have been recently identified as regulatory B cells to modulate immune responses through cytokine production. However, the microenvironmental factors involved in the induction of regulatory B cells remain largely uncharacterized. B cell-activating factor (BAFF), a member of TNF family cytokines produced by myeloid cells, is a key regulator for B cell maturation and function. However, it remains unknown whether BAFF plays a role in modulating the generation of regulatory B cells and how regulatory B cells suppress autoimmune pathogenesis. In this study, treatment with BAFF significantly increased IL-10-producing B cells in culture of mouse splenic B cells, an effect specifically abrogated by neutralization with TACI-Fc. BAFF-induced IL-10-producing B cells showed a distinct CD1dhiCD5+(B10) phenotype. Phenotypic analysis further indicated that these BAFF-induced B10 cells were marginal-zone (MZ)-like B cells. Interestingly, BAFF treatment in vivo also increased the number of IL-10-producingB cells in splenic MZ regions. Moreover, chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis revealed that BAFF activated the transcription factor AP-1 for binding to IL-10 promoter, demonstrating a novel function for BAFF in inducing IL-10 production. Furthermore, those BAFF-induced B10 cells exhibited significant suppressive effects on CD4+T cell proliferation and Th1 cytokine production in culture.
To explore whether these BAFF-induced B10 cells possess a regulatory function in suppressing autoimmune progression in vivo, collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mouse model was employed. In vitro-expanded B10 cells and other control B cells were intravenously transferred into DBA/1J mice on the day of 2ndcollagen II (CII)-immunization. After adoptive transfer of BAFF-induced B10 cells, CII-immunized mice exhibited a delayed onset of arthritis and substantially reduced severity of clinical symptoms. The pathogenesis of IL-17-producing CD4+T cells (Th17) in the development of arthritis has been well-recognized, which has led me to test the hypothesis whether B10 cells ameliorate the development of arthritis via modulating Th17 cells. During the progression of CIA, IL-10-producing B cells were decreasedwhereasTh17 cells were significantly increased at the acute phase of CIA. Upon transfer of BAFF-induced B10 cells, a substantially reduction ofTh17 cells in both lymphoid organs and inflamed joints were detected. To verify whether B10 cells inhibit Th17 cell generation in culture, CFSE-labeled na?ve CD4+T cells were cocultured with B10 cells in Th17 cell polarization medium. It was found that B10 cells suppressed Th17 cell differentiation via reducing STAT3 phosphorylation and RORt expression. Although adoptive transfer of Th17 cells triggered the development of CIA in IL-17-/-DBA mice, cotransfer of B10 cells with Th17 cells profoundly delayed the onset of delayed the onset of arthritisand remarkably reduced the infiltration of Th17 cells in synovial fluid.
Taken together, I have identified a novel function of BAFF in the induction of IL-10-producing regulatory B cells. My findings that adoptive transfer of BAFF-expanded B10 cells can effectively suppress the development of experimental arthritisin mice via the inhibition of Th17 cell generation may contribute to the development of new therapeutic strategies in treating human rheumatoid arthritis.published_or_final_version
Pathology
Doctoral
Doctor of Philosophy
3
Hollis-Moffatt, Jade Elissa, and n/a. "Fine mapping and characterisation of an autoimmune diabetes locus, insulin dependent diabetes 21, (Idd21) on mouse chromosome-18." University of Otago. Department of Biochemistry, 2006. http://adt.otago.ac.nz./public/adt-NZDU20070130.151657.
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Autoimmune disease is comprised of a wide variety of disorders characterised by a loss of self-tolerance towards a target organ or systemic region leading to its eventual destruction. Type 1 diabetes (T1D), autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are debilitating organ-specific disorders. These disorders arise from a combination of genetic factors and environmental triggers. A greater level of basic understanding of these disorders is required to delay and/or prevent their effects. Numerous autoimmune susceptibility loci have been implicated in the development of these disorders, but only a few causative genes have been identified. The aim of this project was to use comparative mapping between the human and mouse genomes to provide a greater understanding of the human autoimmune susceptibility locus, IDDM6, shown to be involved in a number of autoimmune disease conditions.
Hall et al., (2003) previously demonstrated that the mouse autoimmune diabetes locus, Idd21, on distal mouse chr18 contains orthology to human IDDM6, IDDM10, IDDM18 and rat Iddm3. As part of this project the Idd21 locus was fine mapped using the congenic mapping technique. Beginning with the consomic mouse strain, NOD.ABHChr18 (90Mb of Biozzi/ABH-derived diabetes-resistant chr18 introgressed onto a non-obese diabetic (NOD) genetic background), 13 NOD.ABHIdd21 congenic mouse strains were established. The diabetes incidences of these congenic mouse strains were statistically compared stepwise along mouse chr18 and Idd21 was fine mapped to at least four independent autoimmune diabetes loci. Idd21.1 and Idd21.2 were located on distal mouse chr18 in regions orthologous to human IDDM6 and rat Iddm3 and Idd21.3a/b and Idd21.4 were located on proximal mouse chr18 in regions orthologous to human IDDM18 and IDDM10 respectively. Candidate genes of notable interest include Map3k8, Spink5, Cd14, Dcc, Smad4 and 7, Miz1, Nfatc1 and Cd226.
Idd21.1 was further fine mapped. Beginning with the NOD.ABHD18Mit8-D18Mit214[(75-85.1Mb)] (Idd21.1) congenic strain (containing at least 10.1Mb of distal chr18 Biozzi/ABH diabetes-resistant DNA introgressed onto a NOD genetic background), seven subcongenic mouse strains were created. The diabetes incidence of these subcongenic mouse strains were statistically compared stepwise along mouse chr18 and Idd21.1 was fine mapped to at least three independent autoimmune diabetes loci; Idd21.11 (72.6-76.1Mb), Idd21.12a/b (75-76.1Mb and 80.6-81.4Mb) and Idd21.13 (84.8-85.1Mb). Candidate genes of interest in these regions include Dcc, Smad4 and 7, Miz1, Nfatc1, and Cd226.
Functional characterisation of the Idd21.1 locus was performed by adoptively transferring splenocytes from female NOD or NOD.ABHIdd21.1 mice into cohorts of severe combined immune deficient (scid) female mice, NOD/LtSz.Prkdc[scid] and NOD/LtSz.Prkdc[scid].ABHIdd21.1. There were two notable findings from this work. Firstly, NOD.ABHIdd21.1 splenocytes are not as effective as NOD at transferring diabetes to either NOD/LtSz.Prkdc[scid] (P = 0.0004) or NOD/LtSz.Prkdc[scid].ABHIdd21.1 (P = 0.0178), suggesting that Idd21.1 acquired immune cells are not as diabetogenic as NOD. Secondly, NOD/LtSz.Prkdc[scid].ABHIdd21.1 mice are more resistant to autoimmune attack than NOD/LtSz.Prkdc[scid] when injected with either NOD (P = 0.0015) or NOD.ABHIdd21.1 splenocytes (P = 0.0014), suggesting that Idd21.1 either acts by altering the intrinsic resistance of beta-cells to autoimmune attack or due to changes in the innate immune system.
Other NOD-based models of autoimmune disease, spontaneous and experimental autoimmune thyroiditis and spontaneous colitis, were also investigated to determine whether Idd21.1 is a common autoimmune disease locus. When bred onto the NOD.Cg-H2[h4] (thyroiditis model) genetic background Idd21.1 was demonstrated to increase the development of thyroiditis and reduce the incidence of insulitis in spontaneous (untreated) but not experimental (NaI-induced) NOD.Cg-H2[h4] mice. When bred onto the NOD.Cg-Il10[tm1Cgn] (colitis) genetic background Idd21.1 was demonstrated to inhibit the development of rectal prolapse in breeding female NOD.Cg-Il10[tm1Cgn] mice.
Data from this thesis demonstrate that the IDDM6 orthologous region in mouse, Idd21.1, contains several loci that influence autoimmune diabetes, thyroiditis and colitis in NOD-based mouse models. These findings are consistent with previous knowledge that IDDM6 is a common autoimmune susceptibility locus.
4
Narayanan, Harish Anandha. "Molecular Understanding of Selected Autoimmune Diseases." Thesis, The University of Arizona, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/146614.
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Pathogens that affect the immune system, or defects in the immune system contribute to numerous autoimmune diseases. In this paper, we are going to review, analyze and understand recent findings in literature. The papers that are to be reviewed explore the observation of loss of regulatory T cells in individuals with multiple sclerosis, the importance of CD4+ during HIV infection, the role of CCR6 in the immune system and the importance of Pan-DR-Binding Hsp60 self-epitopes in rheumatoid arthritis. So this literary review is limited to understanding major defects in specific parts of the immune system and its role in causing the specific autoimmune disease. The reason for this focus is to highlight the importance of the immune system in the functioning of many processes in our body and more specifically the importance of T cells and its regulators in maintaining the immune system.
5
Halonen, Maria. "Monogenic model for autoimmune diseases : molecular basis of autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED)." Helsinki : University of Helsinki, 2003. http://ethesis.helsinki.fi/julkaisut/laa/haart/vk/halonen/.
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Tam, Chun-yee, and 譚雋怡. "Dissecting the physiological role of the novel lupus-associated C-type lectin-like protein CLEC16A." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10722/206749.
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The CLEC16A locus has been identified as a susceptibility gene for multiple autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis, type-I diabetes and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), in genome-wide association studies. CLEC16A encodes a novel C-type lectin-like protein, by virtue of a predicted C-type lectinlike domain (CTLD), with unclear function. Studies on the disease-associated SNPs have suggested that CLEC16A polymorphisms affect the expression of neighboring genes, while the effect on its own expression is unclear. Several functional studies have interrogated the physiological role(s) of CLEC16A in disparate directions. The Drosophila ortholog of CLEC16A, Ema, has been reported to regulate endosomal protein trafficking and the autophagic process, while CLEC16A has been found to participate in LPS-induced inflammatory cytokine response in rat astrocytes. Since there is not a consenting role ascribed to CLEC16A, this study was undertaken to investigate the functional involvement(s) of CLEC16A in mammalian cells and the expression of CLEC16A in lupus patients, with the attempt to comprehend the association between CLEC16A and SLE.
By overexpressing in non-immune epithelial cells, CLEC16A was revealed to be an intracellular protein of ~130 kDa in size. CLEC16A displayed a punctated expression pattern, which did not co-localize with endosomes, lysosomes, autophagosomes or endoplasmic reticulum in steady state. When treated with rapamycin or serum-starved, CLEC16A-overexpressing cells exhibited a reduced autophagic response, suggesting that CLEC16A may have an inhibitory role in autophagy. Besides the predicted CTLD, motif prediction has also implicated an immunomodulatory role for CLEC16A. Due to the observed inhibition on autophagy, coupled with recent findings linking autophagy and inflammasome activation, the involvement of CLEC16A in NLRP3 inflammasome was investigated. By knocking down CLEC16A in the human macrophage-like THP-1 cells, CLEC16A was found to potentially regulate NLRP3 inflammasome activation via inhibiting the LPS-induced pro-IL-1aasynthesis. Finally, the expressions of the long and short isoforms, CLEC16A_V1 and CLEC16A_V2 of CLEC16A in PBMCs were compared between healthy controls and SLE patients. A higher CLEC16A_V1 expression was observed in SLE patients, whereas the reverse was found for CLEC16A_V2. The expressions of the isoforms, however, were not correlated with the disease severity and clinical manifestations.
The finding that CLEC16A may inhibit autophagy is in contrast with the reported function of Ema in supporting autophagy, and such discrepancy could be because of the different cell systems used. The finding that CLEC16A may downregulate NLRP3 inflammasome activation has not been previously reported, and the mechanism(s) of such regulation warrant(s) future studies. The molecular basis of how CLEC16A regulates autophagy and inflammasome waits to be delineated. Such knowledge, together with information of where endogenous CLEC16A is expressed, shall incite better understanding of the contribution of CLEC16A to SLE development.published_or_final_version
Medicine
Doctoral
Doctor of Philosophy
7
Mulcahy, Anthony Francis. "The molecular cloning and characterisation of autoantigens." Thesis, University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, 1998. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.242453.
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龔慧慈 and Wai-chee Annie Kung. "Thyroglobulin gene expression and thyroid functions in health and autoimmune thyroid diseases." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 1990. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B31981355.
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Ye, Ping. "Autoimmunity in chronic periodontitis." University of Sydney, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/2123/4256.
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Doctor of PhilosophyProfound perturbation of epithelial structure is a characteristic feature of the immunopatholoical response to bacterial antigens considered to be central in the pathogenesis of the destructive lesion of periodontitis. The pathological basis for the disturbance of epithelial structure is not understood. It was demonstrated that the structural integrity and functional differentiation of the lining epithelium is compromised in relation to inflammatory changes associated with destructive periodontitis. In the pathological lining epithelium of the periodontal pocket there was a marked reduction of epithelial cadherin important in intercellular adhesion, of involucrin, a marker of terminal differentiation, and of the gap junction connexions that form intercellular communication channels. These changes were associated with alterations of filamentous actin expression, collectively indicating profound perturbation of epithelial structure. The data reported support the concept that the ability of the pathological lining epithelium to function as an effective barrier against the ingress of microbial products into the tissues is severely compromised (Ye et al., 2000). In addition, a recent study (Ye et al., 2003) by Western analysis of serum IgG from all 22 patients with chronic periodontitis tested indicated recognition of multiple epithelial components in individual patterns. In contrast, subjects with a healthy periodontium displayed only trace recognition of epithelial antigens. Levels of epithelial-reactive antibodies were significantly correlated with attachment loss as an indication of disease activity. To investigate a possible relationship between the bacterial flora adjacent to the diseased sites and the presence of epithelial-reactive antibodies, subgingival plague samples were taken from deep periodontal pockets and cultured anaerobically. Gram positive bacteria containing antigens potentially cross-reactive with epithelial cells were reproducibly isolated by probing membrane colony lifts with affinity-isolated (epitheial-specific) antibodies. The bacteria were identified as streptococci (S. mitis, S. constellatus and two S. intermedius strains) and Actinomyces (A. georgiae, and A. sp. oral clone) by 16S rDNA sequence homology. Recognition by affinity-isolated antibodies of antigens from the captured organisms was confirmed by Western analysis. Conversely, absorption of affinity-isolated antibodies with bacterial species specifically reduced subsequent recognition of epithelial antigens. To identify the auto-antigens, a human keratinocyte cDNA expression library in Lambda phage was probed using a pooled sera. Groups of responders were detected for CD24 (a recently described adhesion molecule also known as P-selectin ligand), antioxidant protein 2 (a newly recognised member of the thiol-dependment anti-oxidant proteins), lavtate dehydrogenase A, the transcription factor NFAT5, and for three genes encoding novel proteins. Six identified bacteria, especially S intermedius were demonstrated to absorb antibodies reaching with identified auto-antigens in patterns varying between individuals. This evidence indicated that during the course of periodontits, subjects develop increased levels of antibodies to common oral bacteria amongst which are included tissue cross-reactive antigens. Periodontitis could therefore present a risk for the subsequent initiation or exacerbation of a broad spectrum of disease processes including autoimmune, inflammatory, proliferative and degenerative disorders.
10
Silver, Karlee Linnea. "Genotypic and phenotypic approaches to pathways involved in humoral autoimmunity." Thesis, University of Oxford, 2006. http://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:1a18398f-942a-49a4-bd2e-a8ec4b4f647f.
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Lin, Yan-kai, and 林欣佳. "Silencing of B cell activation factor gene and its implication in treating autoimmune arthritis." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2007. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B45011370.
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Jim, Jin-to, and 詹展韜. "Genetics and molecular characterization of degenerative disc disease." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2005. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B35720189.
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Liu, Yang, and 劉洋. "The role of regulatory B cells in the development of autoimmune diabetes in NOD mice." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10722/197509.
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Interleukin (IL)-10-secreting regulatory Bcells(B10) are acknowledged to play important roles in balancing cellular immunity and fighting against autoimmune diseases. Since the early discovery of the potential of B cells in suppressing autoimmunity by secreting IL-10 in a murine model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis(EAE),accumulating evidences have revealed the existence and regulatory function of B10 cells in the progression of several autoimmune diseases including multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus and autoimmune arthritis, suggesting potential values of therapeutic intervention.
Autoimmune diabetes is an autoimmune disease in animal models characterized by progressive insulitis and mass destruction of βcells in pancreatic islets. However, the role of Bregsin the development of this disease remains largely unclear. To explore whether Bregs possess a regulatory function in suppressing diabetes, B10 cells were generated from B-cell activation factor (BAFF)-stimulated B cells of Non-obese diabetic (NOD)mice. Notably, NOD mice receiving B10 transfer exhibited delayed diabetes onset and substantially reduced incidence, suggesting some therapeutic effect against autoimmune diabetes. As an important contributor to inflammation and autoimmune disorders, the pathogenic function of IL-17 producing CD4+cells (Th17) in autoimmune diabetes has been increasingly identified, which attracts me to investigate whether B10 cells can contribute to amelioration of autoimmune diabetes via suppressing Th17 cells. During the development of autoimmune diabetes in NOD mice, both B10 and Th17 significantly increased at prediabetic stage and rapidly declined after disease onset. Upon adoptive transfer of B10 cells into prediabetic NOD mice, Th17 cells in pancreatic lymph nodes and pancreas were profoundly reduced. To verify whether B10 cells can directly inhibit Th17 generation in vitro, CFSE-dilution assay combined to Th17 polarization assay was performed. Results indicated that B10 cells suppress Th17 polarization in an IL-10 independent manner, but inhibit Th17 proliferation in an partially IL-10 dependent way. Finally I transferred B10 together with naive CD4+T cells reactive to islets into lymphopenic NOD-SCID mice and detected substantially reduced Th17 frequencies in pancreatic lymph nodes and pancreas, suggesting a potential way of developing new therapeutic strategies in treating Type 1 diabetes in humans.published_or_final_version
Pathology
Master
Master of Philosophy
14
Hansson, Helene. "Methodological aspects on anti-nuclear antibody determination in canine autoimmunity and in vitro studies of antigen-specific cellular responses /." Uppsala : Swedish Univ. of Agricultural Sciences (Sveriges lantbruksuniv.), 1999. http://epsilon.slu.se/avh/1999/91-576-5439-5.pdf.
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Marshall, Aiden Christopher James 1976. "The role of Fas and TNFα in experimental autoimmune gastritis." Monash University, Dept. of Pathology and Immunology, 2003. http://arrow.monash.edu.au/hdl/1959.1/9413.
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Lau, Kin-chong, and 劉健莊. "Microarray-based investigations of genetic diseases." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2011. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B45894760.
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Roscioli, Tony Clinical School Prince of Wales Hospital Faculty of Medicine UNSW. "The genetic basis of veno-occlusive disease with immunodeficiency syndrome." Awarded by:University of New South Wales. Clinical School - Prince of Wales Hospital, 2007. http://handle.unsw.edu.au/1959.4/40599.
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This thesis addresses the genetic basis of a rare autosomal recessive primary immunodeficiency disorder with the characteristic additional feature of venoocclusive disease of the liver (VODI). The interest in this condition was stimulated both by the potential to identify the genetic basis of a rare immunodeficiency and the opportunity to gain an insight into the biological basis of hepatic veno-occlusive disease, a poorly understood condition that is encountered most frequently in Australia as a consequence of bone marrow transplantation. The gene responsible for VODI was identified by homozygosity mapping and DNA sequence analysis of positional candidates and was shown to be the PML Nuclear Body expressed protein Sp110. This is the first time a PML Nuclear Body protein has been shown to be involved in immunodeficiency disorder. Subsequent immunofluorescence studies of affected patient cell lines showed absence of Sp110 in patient B cells. The role of SP110 alleles in the susceptibility of bone marrow transplant patients to hepatic veno-occlusive disease was investigated using a cohort of patients from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle. A SNP association study identified initial evidence for an association, but the study lacked sufficient power after correction for multiple testing. Contemporaneously, Dr Igor Kramnik published a report that the murine homologue of Sp110, Ifi75 (also termed Ipr1) was deleted in mice that were supersusceptible to infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. A further SNP association study was therefore performed utilising a NSW cohort of Mantouxpositive South East Asian migrants, which detected evidence that alleles of SP110 may be associated with progression of M. tuberculosis infection. Again, the limited size of this cohort precluded definitive findings.
18
Sigurdsson, Snaevar. "Large-Scale Genotyping for Analysis of the Type I Interferon System in Autoimmune Diseases." Doctoral thesis, Uppsala : Acta Universitatis Upsaliensis : Univ.-bibl. [distributör], 2006. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-6792.
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Chan, Cheuk-wing Wilson, and 陳卓榮. "ER stress in the pathogenesis of osteochondrodysplasia." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2009. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B43085192.
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Makubalo, Zola. "Mutation screening of candidate genes and the development of polymorphic markers residing on chromosome 19q13.3, the progressive familial heart block I gene search area." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2000. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/51838.
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Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2000.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Progressive familial heart block type I (PFHBI) is a cardiac ventricular conduction disorder of unknown cause associated with risk of sudden death, which has been described in several South African families. Clinically, PFHBI is characterised by right bundle branch block on ECG, which may progress to complete heart block, necessitating pacemaker implantation. The disease shows an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance with evidence of genetic anticipation. Using genetic linkage analysis, the PFHBI-causative gene was mapped to a 10 eentimorgan (cM) gene-rich area of chromosome (C) 19q13.3, which has, subsequently, been reduced to 7cM by fine mapping with polymorphic dinucleotide (CA)n short tandem repeat (STR) markers. Several attractive candidate genes, including muscle glycogen synthase (GSY 1) and histidine-rich calcium binding protein (HRC), lie within this region. The aim of the present study was two-fold: 1) to identify and characterise tetranucleotide (AAAT)n STRs within the PFHBI critical region that could be developed as polymorphic markers for use in genetic fine mapping and 2) to screen selected regions of GSY 1and HRC, positional candidate genes, for the presence ofPFHBI-causing mutation(s). Cosmids harbouring CI9q13.3 insert DNA were screened for the presence of (AAAT)n STRs by dot blot and Southern blot hybridisation using a radiolabelled (AAAT)lO oligonucleotide probe. To characterise the harboured (AAAT)n STRs, the positively hybridising fragments identified by Southern blot were sub-cloned, sequenced and primers designed from the unique repeat-flanking sequences. These primers were used to genotype the (AAAT)n repeat locus to assess its polymorphic nature in a panel of unrelated individuals. Alternatively, vectorette PCR, a rapid method of identifying repeat sequences and obtaining the flanking sequences in large inserts, was employed to develop polymorphic markers from the positively hybridising clones. Selected exons of GSY1 and HRC were screened for the presence of potentially disease-causing mutations by PCR-SSCP analysis and direct sequencing, respectively, in PFHBI-affected and unaffected family members. Of the available cosmid clones that gave strong signals on dot blot and Southern blot hybridisation, three, 29395, 24493 and 20381, were located within the critical PFHBI area and were used for marker development. An interrupted (AAAT)n repeat motif (n less than 5) was identified in cosmid 29395, however, the repeat locus was not polymorphic in the tested population. No (AAAT)n motif, single or repeated was observed in the partial sequence of the sub-cloned fragment of cosmid 24493. Using vectorette peR, no repeated (AAAT)n motif was identified on sequencing the generated products in either cosmid 24493 or 2038l. However, diffuse single AAAT motifs were detected in both cosmids. Exons 4, 5, 11, 12 and 16 of GSY 1, containing domains that are conserved across species, and the conserved eterminus- encoding exons 2-6 of HRC were selected for screening for potential PFHBI-causing mutation(s). However, no sequence variations were detected. The interrupted (AAAT)n repeat identified in cosmid 29395 was not polymorphic, which confirmed reports that complex repeats, especially those containing AAAT motifs of less than 6 repeats, are not polymorphic. One possible explanation for the absence of a repeated AAAT motif in cosmids 24493 and 20381, which both gave positive hybridisation signals, is that the low annealing temperature of the AfT -rich repeat-anchored primers used in vectorette peR may have resulted in transient annealing to the diffuse single AAAT motifs detected on sequencing. The screened regions of candidate genes GSYI and HRC were excluded from carrying the disease-causing mutation(s). The availability of new sequence data generated by the Human Genome Project will influence future strategies to identify the PFHBI gene. Electronic searches will allow identification of STR sequences for development of polymorphic markers and gene annotation will allow selection of new candidate genes for mutation screening.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Sien volteks vir opsomming
21
Breve, André Luis da Silva. "Predição In Silico de Epítopos de Microrganismos com Identidade a Autoantígenos Humanos." Universidade de São Paulo, 2010. http://www.teses.usp.br/teses/disponiveis/17/17135/tde-26052011-113627/.
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A origem das doenças autoimunes é multifatorial, sendo que envolve condições ambientais e predisposição genética, dificultando sua identificação. Muitos pesquisadores têm estudado a associação entre agentes infecciosos e autoimunidade, a qual pode ser disparada pelo processo conhecido por mimetismo molecular. Neste caso, respostas imunes cruzadas envolvendo antígenos próprios têm sido documentadas. O presente projeto tem como objetivo a busca in silico por associações entre epítopos de microrganismos e autoantígenos humanos. Iniciaram-se as análises pela identificação de semelhanças de sequências de aminoácidos entre epítopos de microrganismos e autoantígenos humanos por meio do alinhamento local de sequências efetuado pelo programa BLASTP. As sequências de epítopos dos microrganismos e autoantígenos humanos foram previamente adquiridas nos bancos de dados Immune Epitope Database and Analysis Resource (IEDB) e no Genbank, respectivamente. Foram também realizadas modelagens de estruturas proteicas para o antígeno e o autoantígeno que obtiveram melhores valores de alinhamento, com base no valor do E-value, por meio dos programas Modeller e Rosetta. Por fim, a predição de epítopos foi executada, pelo uso dos softwares NetMHC e NetMHCII, para avaliar a possibilidade de epítopos de microrganismos e de autoantígenos humanos se associarem aos mesmos alelos de HLA. Como resultado, foram encontradas similaridades tanto de sequências proteicas quanto de afinidade a 4 tipos de alelos de HLA entre um epítopo do antígeno LSA-1 de Plasmodium falciparum e o autoantígeno de miosina, o que sugere uma associação entre eles, atingindo o objetivo deste trabalho.The origin of autoimmune diseases is multifactorial. It involves environmental conditions and genetic predisposition that difficulties its identification. Several researchers have studied the association between infectious agents and autoimmunity, which can be initiated by a process named molecular mimicry. In this case, cross immune responses involving self antigens have been documented. This project aims to search in silico for associations between microorganisms epitopes and human autoantigens. The first step was the identification of similarities in amino acid sequences between microorganisms epitopes and human autoantigens by use of sequence local alignment performed by the program blastp. The sequences of the microorganisms epitope and the human autoantigens had been previously acquired in the Immune Epitope Database and Analysis Resource (IEDB) and Genbank, respectively. The modeling of protein structures for the antigen and autoantigen was also carried out to show the best alignment values, based on the E-value, using the programs Modeller and Rosetta. Finally, the prediction of epitopes was performed by use of NetMHC and NetMHCII softwares to evaluate the possibility of microorganisms epitopes and human autoantigens join the same HLA alleles. Similarities of protein sequences was found for both. It was possible to observe affinity of 4 HLA alleles between an epitope from LSA-1 Plasmodium falciparum antigen and the myosin, suggesting an association between them, reaching the goal of this work.
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Kvarnström, Maria. "Mechanisms in inflammatory demyelinating diseases of the nervous system : immunological and methodological aspects /." Linköping : Linköpings universitet, 2005. http://www.bibl.liu.se/liupubl/disp/disp2005/med892s.pdf.
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Choi, Wai-yee Junet, and 蔡偉儀. "Serum neopterin for early assessment of severity of severe acute respiratory syndrome and Dengue virus infection." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2005. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B32031579.
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Wong, Tsz-yeung, and 王子揚. "Molecular characterization of IBDV-induced apoptosis in vitro using cDNA microarrays." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2005. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B36375998.
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Litjens, Tom. "The molecular genetics of mucopolysaccharidosis type VI /." Title page, contents and abstract only, 1994. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09PH/09phl776.pdf.
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Fazeli, Claudia Fariba. "Molecular detection of grapevine leafroll associated closteroviruses (GLRaVs) and the genome organisation of GLRaV-1." 1998, 1998. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09PH/09phf2868.pdf.
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Zhou, Li, and 周莉. "The molecular mechanisms of aristolochic acid nephropathy." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2009. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B43224349.
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Bianco-Miotto, Tina. "Loss of ABO antigens in haematological malignancies." Adelaide, S.A, 2002. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09PH/09phb578.pdf.
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"May 2002" Includes bibliographical references (leaves 229-251) Describes the investigation of the alteration of ABH antigen expression on the surface of red blood cells in patients with haematological malignancies.
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Vallée, Alexandre. "Molecular thermodynamic aspects of dissipative structures in oncology, inflammatory and degenerative processes of Central Nervous System diseases." Thesis, Poitiers, 2017. http://www.theses.fr/2017POIT1409.
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Le métabolisme énergétique est le principal facteur déterminant de la viabilité cellulaire. Les maladies présentent de nombreuses anomalies métaboliques et énergétiques. En effet, les cellules altérées proviennent de procédés exergoniques et émettent de la chaleur vers leur environnement proche. De nombreux processus irréversibles peuvent se produire en modifiant le taux de production d'entropie. Ce niveau représente une quantité thermodynamique qui mesure ces processus irréversibles. Le niveau d'entropie est augmenté par plusieurs anomalies métaboliques et thermodynamiques dans les tumeurs cérébrales, les processus inflammatoires et les maladies neurodégénératives. Les travaux de recherche de cette thèse ont démontré et mis en évidence l'existence d'une diaphonie entre la voie canonique WNT/beta-caténine et le PPAR gamma qui joue un rôle majeur dans la reprogrammation du métabolisme de l'énergie cellulaire entre la phosphorylation oxydative, la glycolyse aérobie et la glycolyse anaérobie, dont le point d'équilibre de cette diaphonie entre ces voies moléculaires varie selon les maladies. Ces maladies sont des structures dissipatives, qui échangent de l'énergie ou de la matière avec leur environnement. Ce sont des systèmes ouverts, loin de l'équilibre thermodynamique qui opèrent sous un régime non linéaire évoluant vers des états non stationnaires. La thermodynamique loin de l'équilibre est une notion axée sur les rythmes circadiens. En effet, les rythmes circadiens participent directement à la régulation de cette diaphonie étudiée. Celle-ci représente une cible innovante dans le cadre l'imagerie moléculaire pour le diagnostic positif et différentiel de ces maladiesEnergy metabolism is the primary determinant of cellular viability. Diseases are the sites of numerous metabolic and energetic production abnormalities. Indeed, the altered cells are derived from exergonic processes and emit heat that flows to the surrounding environment. Many irreversible processes can occur through changing the rate of entropy production. This rate represents a thermodynamic quantity that measures these irreversible processes. Entropy rate is increased by several metabolic and thermodynamics abnormalities in brain tumors, inflammatory processes and neurodegenerative diseases. The research works of this thesis have demonstrated and highlighted the existence of a crosstalk between canonical WNT/beta-catenin pathway and PPAR gamma which plays a major role in the reprogramming of cellular energy metabolism between oxidative phosphorylation, aerobic glycolysis and anaerobic glycolysis, of which the equilibrium point of crosstalk between these molecular pathways varies according to tumor, inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases. These diseases are dissipative structures, that exchange energy or matter with their environment. They are open systems, far-from the thermodynamic equilibrium that operate under non-linear regime evolving to non-stationary states. Far-from-equilibrium thermodynamics are notions driven by circadian rhythms. Indeed, circadian rhythms directly participate in regulating the crosstalk of the studied molecular pathways. This crosstalk represents an innovative therapeutic target, and molecular data usable for molecular imaging in both positive and differential diagnosis of these diseases
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Li, Yick-yeung, and 李亦揚. "Molecular and phylogenetic analysis of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and porcine circovirus type 2(PCV2)." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2003. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B29297102.
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Cheng, Tak Sum. "Molecular identification and characterization of novel osteoclast V-ATPase subunits." University of Western Australia. School of Surgery and Pathology, 2008. http://theses.library.uwa.edu.au/adt-WU2008.0068.
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[Truncated abstract] Osteoclasts are multinucleated giant cells responsible for the resorption of the mineralized bone matrix during the process of bone remodelling. During activation towards bone resorption, polarization of the osteoclast results in the formation of a unique plasma membrane, the ruffled border, the actual resorptive organelle of the osteoclast. Through this domain protons are actively pumped into the resorption lacuna creating an acidic microenvironment that favours the dissolution of the mineralized bone matrix. The polarised secretion of protons is carried out by the action of the vacuolar-type (H+)-ATPase (V-ATPase), composed of functionally and structurally distinct subunits of the V1 and V0 domains. The general structure of the V-ATPase complex is highly conserved from yeast to mammals, however, multiple isoforms for specific V-ATPase subunits do exist exhibiting differential subcellular, cellular and tissue-specific localizations. This study focuses on the molecular identification and characterization of V-ATPase accessory subunit Ac45 and the d2 isoform of the V0 domain d subunit in osteoclasts. Using the techniques of cDNA Subtractive Hybridization and DNA Micro-Array analyses respectively, the accessory subunit Ac45 and the d2 isoform of the V0 domain d subunit were identified in RAW264.7-cells derived OcLs. ... Using web-based computational predictions, two possible transmembrane domains, an N-terminus 'signal anchor' sequence and a C-terminus dilysine- like endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention signal were identified. By confocal microscopy, EYFP-tagged e was found to localize to the perinuclear region of transfected COS-7 cells in compartments representing the ER and Golgi apparatus with some localization in late endosomal/lysosomal-like vesicles. ER truncation of e did not alter its subcellular localization but exhibited significantly weaker association with Ac45 compared to the wild-type as depicted by BRET analyses. Association with the other V0 subunits remain unaffected. This may hint at a possibility that Ac45 may play a role in the masking of the ER signal of e following it's incorporation into the V0 domain. Although no solid evidence for a role in the assembly of the mammalian VATPase have been established, subunit e still represents a potential candidate whose role in the V-ATPase complex requires further investigation. Collectively, the data presented in this thesis has provided further insight into the composition of the osteoclast V-ATPase proton pump by: 1) identifying an accessory subunit, Ac45 which shows promise as a potential candidate for the regulation and/or targeting of the V-ATPase complex in osteoclasts and truncation of its targeting signal impairs osteoclastic bone resorption; 2) identification and preliminary characterization of the d2 isoform of the V0 domain d subunit whose exact role in the V-ATPase complex and in osteoclasts remains to be determined, although its has been implicated to be essential for osteoclastic function; and 3) Preliminary characterization of subunit-e, a potential assembly factor candidate for the mammalian V-ATPase V0 domain.
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Agenbag, Gloudi. "Molecular genetic analysis of familial breast cancer in South Africa." Thesis, Link to the online version, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/10019/953.
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Wang, Cathy Ting-Peng. "Molecular dissection of RANKL signaling pathways in osteoclasts." University of Western Australia. School of Surgery and Pathology, 2007. http://theses.library.uwa.edu.au/adt-WU2008.0037.
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[Truncated abstract] Bone remodeling is intricately regulated by osteoclast-mediated bone resorption and osteoblast-mediated bone formation. The elevation in osteoclast number and/or activity is a major hallmark of several common pathological bone disorders including post-menopausal osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, Paget's disease, and tumour-mediated osteolysis. Receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) is a key cytokine for osteoclast differentiation and activation. The association of RANKL to its cognate receptor, RANK, which is expressed on osteoclast precursors and mature osteoclasts, is essential for osteoclast formation and activation. The intimate interaction between RANKL and RANK triggers the activation of a cascade of signal transduction pathways including NF-κB, NFAT, MAPK and PI3 kinase. Although osteoclast signaling pathways have been intensively studied, the precise molecules and signaling events which underlie osteoclast differentiation and function remain unclear. In order to dissect the molecular mechanism(s) regulating osteoclast differentiation and activity, this thesis herein explores the key RANKL/RANK-mediated signaling pathways. Four truncation mutants within the TNF-like domain of RANKL [(aa160-302), (aa160-268), (aa239-318) and (aa246-318)] were generated to investigate their potential binding to RANK and the activation to RANK-signal transduction pathways. All were found to differentially impair osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption as compared to the wild-type RANKL. The impaired function of the truncation mutants of RANKL on osteoclast formation and function correlates with their reduced ability to activate crucial RANK signaling including NF-κB, IκBα, ERK and JNK. Further analysis revealed that the truncation mutants of RANKL exhibited differentially affinity to RANK as observed by in vitro pull-down assays. ... It is possible that Bryostatin 1 acts via upregulation of a fusion mechanism as the RANKL-induced OCLs are morphologically enlarged, exhibiting increased nuclei number expressing high level of DC-Stamp. Furthermore, Rottlerin was shown to inhibit NF-κB activity, whereas Bryostatin 1 showed the opposing effects. Both inhibitor and activator were also found to modulate other key osteoclastic signaling pathways including NFAT and total c-SRC. These findings implicate, for the first time, Protein Kinase C delta signaling pathways in the modulation of RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation and activity. Taken together, the studies presented in this thesis provide compelling molecular, biochemical and morphological evidence to suggest that: (1) RANKL mutants might potentially serve as peptide mimic to inhibit RANKL-induced signaling, osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption. (2) A cross talk mechanism between extracellular Ca2+ and RANKL exist to regulate on osteoclast survival. (3) TPA suppressed RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis predominantly during the early stage of osteoclast differentiation via modulation of NF-κB. (4) Selective inhibition of Protein Kinase C signaling pathways involved in osteoclastogenesis might be a potential treatment method for osteoclast-related bone diseases. (5) Protein Kinase C delta signaling pathways play a key role in regulating osteoclast formation and function.
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Cheng, King-yip, and 鄭競業. "APPL1 as a novel signaling mediator of adiponectin and insulin: molecular mechanisms and physiologicalimplications." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2009. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B42182177.
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Gu, Zhengming. "Studies on molecular mechanisms of transformation by human papillomavirus : the role of E6 and E5 oncogenes." Thesis, McGill University, 1996. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=40133.
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The ability of the HPV-18 E6 gene to impair p53-mediated transcriptional activity induced by DNA damaging agents was investigated. It is demonstrated that E6 can abolish DNA damage induced p53-mediated transcription and that a region from amino acid residue 113 to 117 of HPV-18 E6 protein was necessary for E6 to direct the degradation of p53. The biological importance of the E6/p53 interaction was then directly examined in HPV-16 containing cervical carcinoma derived cells by introducing the monomeric p53 mutant which is resistant to E6 mediated degradation. The two major observations made from this study were: (i) loss of p53 activity plays an important role in maintaining the malignant phenotype of these cells with respect to cell proliferation; (ii) the monomeric p53 mutant without its C-terminal regulatory region was biologically functional with respect to impairing cell proliferation in HPV-16 containing cervical carcinoma derived cells. Finally, it was revealed that the cellular MAP kinase signal transduction pathway was more active in cells expressing the HPV-16 E5 gene than in control cells or cells expressing E6 and E7. These observations help to define the mechanisms by which HPV oncogenes contribute to the development and maintenance of the neoplastic phenotype.
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Blignaut, Marguerite. "The molecular and biological characterisation of ORF5 of three South African variants of Grapevine Vitivirus A." Thesis, Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/2421.
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Thesis (MSc (Genetics))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009.Grapevine Vitivirus A (GVA), genus Vitivirus, family Flexiviridae is a well characterised single-stranded RNA virus that has been implicated in the grapevine diseases, Kober stem grooving and Shiraz disease. The virus infects both its host, Vitis vinifera and the experimental model plant, Nicotiana spp.. Biological studies performed on the virus in its herbaceous host, Nicotiana benthami- ana, revealed that many divergent variants of the virus exists in South Africa and can induce di erent symptoms in the model plant. Further molecular analysis divided the variants into three molecular groups based on molecular heterogeneity and nucleotide identity. The establishment of an infectious full-length cDNA clone of GVA contributed towards the elucidation of gene functions for 4 of the 5 open reading frames (ORF's), and indicated ORF5 as the pathogenicity determinant within the genome. Further studies also showed that ORF5 encodes for a nucleic acid binding protein that exhibits suppression activity of a plants' natural virus silencing mechanism. Many proteins that have previously been identi ed as the pathogenicity determinant within a viral genome have been found to encode for suppression activity. Although suppression activity has been elucidated within the ORF5 of the Italian cDNA clone of GVA, IS 151, no such study has yet been performed on the divergent South African variants of GVA. Three variants, GTR1-1, GTR1- 2 and GTG11-1, which represent each of the molecular groups (Group III, II and I), were selected for this study. The aim of this study was to visually elucidate suppression activity of RNA transgene silencing by the ORF5's of GTR1-1, GTR1-2 and GTG11-1 in a transient expression assays in transgenic N. benthamiana (line 16c). Pathogenicity studies for these variants were also performed. The ORF5 of the infectious full-length clone, GVA118, which can also serve as an expression vector, was deleted and provided with restriction enzyme sites into which the respective ORF5s and the marker genes, GFP and GUS could be cloned directionally. Infectivity, symptom development and systemic movement were compared between the di erent full length clones after co-in ltration in N. benthamiana. Preliminary results obtained in this study failed to visually indicate any suppression activity encoded by the ORF5 of GTR1-1, GTR1-2 and GTG11-1. The deletion of ORF5 within GVA118 was successful and rendered the infectious full length clone asymptomatic. Directional cloning of the ORF5 of GTR1-1 into the unique restriction enzymes provided previously, resulted in much milder symptoms than those observe for GTR1-2 and GTG11-1. No GFP and GUS accumulation could be detected. This study has established an infectious full-length cDNA clone, pBINSN-e35SGVA118 ORF5-1-1-pA, that can possibly induce much milder symptoms in the herbaceous host, N. benthamiana. This construct can be further characterised as a possible expression vector of foreign proteins in herbaceous hosts and grapevine.
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Yogalingam, Gouri. "Molecular characterisation of feline MPS VI and evaluation of gene therapy /." Title page, contents and abstract only, 1998. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09PH/09phy54.pdf.
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Lim, Ai Ing, and 林艾盈. "Shedding of kidney injury molecule-1 by kidney proximal tubular epithelial cells: the role of matrixmetalloproteinase-3." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2012. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B49799745.
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Regardless of the original cause and etiology, the progression of kidney disease follows a final common pathway associated with tubulointerstitial injury, in which proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTEC) are instrumental. Kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) is an emerging biomarker of kidney tubular damage. It is markedly expressed and released into urine in various animal models and human kidney diseases. This study aimed to explore the underlying mechanism regulating the release of KIM-1 by PTEC.
First, expression and release of KIM-1 by primary cultured human PTEC were examined. In quiescent PTEC, KIM-1 was detected at the plasma membrane and in the cytoplasm. A transwell system, in which PTEC were grown as monolayer on permeable membrane, was used to examine the polarized release of KIM-1. PTEC constitutively released KIM-1 from their apical surface, and the release was independent of gene expression or protein synthesis. The KIM-1 release process by PTEC was enhanced dose- and time-dependently by two important kidney injury mediators, human serum albumin (HSA) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and was inhibited by the presence of broad-spectrum inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP).
Second, the potential sheddases responsible for KIM-1 shedding were identified by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) array system, in which the gene expression of a panel of MMP members was screened. The gene expression of MMP-3, MMP-7 and MMP-9 was up-regulated by PTEC under HSA or TNF-α activation. Blockade experiments with synthetic MMP inhibitors or MMP gene knockdown by small interfering RNA transfection, revealed that the constitutive or accelerated KIM-1 shedding was mediated by MMP-3, but not MMP-7 or MMP-9. The role of MMP-3 in KIM-1 shedding was further defined by additional data showing the enhanced MMP-3 synthesis by HSA- or TNF-α-stimulated PTEC, and the up-regulated KIM-1 shedding by PTEC following exogenous MMP-3 treatment.
Third, the regulatory mechanism of MMP-3-mediated KIM-1 shedding was investigated. Treatment of PTEC with HSA or TNF-α up-regulated the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and its kinetics ran parallel to the increase of KIM-1 shedding and MMP-3 synthesis. In addition, exogenous hydrogen peroxide dose-dependently induced KIM-1 shedding and MMP-3 synthesis, which were abolished by the presence of an oxidation inhibitor. These evidence suggest that ROS play an essential role in regulating the MMP-3-mediated KIM-1 shedding by PTEC.
Finally, a mouse model of acute kidney injury induced by renal ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) was established to translate the in vitro findings. Reduced kidney function and increased urinary KIM-1 level were observed in mice after renal I/R treatment. Strikingly, the expression of MMP-3 and KIM-1 in the I/R treated mice was most profound in the S3 segments of the proximal tubules, where is the most susceptible area to oxidative stress. Taken together, these in vivo data have further strengthened the distinct roles of ROS and MMP-3 in KIM-1 shedding during PTEC injury.
In conclusion, ROS generated by the injured PTEC activate MMP-3, which release the soluble KIM-1 through the ectodomain shedding process.published_or_final_version
Medicine
Master
Master of Philosophy
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Bradshaw, Jeremy Peter. "A study of the structure of biological macromolecules." Thesis, University of Oxford, 1985. http://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:e7d9dce0-b5f8-4e24-96c2-8fe79c273ae6.
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Efstathiou, Jason Alexander. "The role of adhesion molecules in colorectal carcinogenesis." Thesis, University of Oxford, 2000. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.670210.
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Ma, Ching-man, and 馬靜雯. "Molecular epidemiology and characterization of the receptor binding ofporcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2)." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2006. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B38227204.
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李亦揚 and Yick-yeung Li. "Molecular characterization and co-infection of North American and European porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus in HongKong." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2008. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B39558174.
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Jing, Yu, and n/a. "The acute effects of lithium on the rat kidney." University of Otago. Department of Physiology, 2008. http://adt.otago.ac.nz./public/adt-NZDU20080930.145652.
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The aim of the experiments reported in the present work was: first, to generate a rat model of lithium-induced nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI), and, second, to use this to test the hypothesis that the effects of lithium were far more reaching than merely the inhibition of vasopressin induced translocation and synthesis of the water channel protein AQP2. Specifically, the effect of lithium on the abundance and distribution of the other water channel proteins, AQP1, AQP3 and AQP4 was investigated. It was found that AQP3 protein abundance was significantly reduced in the renal medulla while AQP4 was not affected. In addition, it was further hypothesized that, given the known effects of lithium on the urea transporter UT-A1 and on sodium channels and transporters, the renal medullary osmotic gradient would be dissipated by lithium. This was examined indirectly by determining the amounts of organic osmolytes in the renal medulla of rats with lithium-induced NDI. Myo-inositol was found to be 85 � 9 mmol kg⁻1 protein in the NDI rats, a reduction of 38% compared with control values, sotbitol fell from 35� 9 mmol kg⁻� in the control rats to 2.5 � 0.5 mmol kg⁻�, and glycerophosphorylcholine levels in the experimental animals were 91 � 18 mmol kg⁻� protein compared with 372 � 72 mmol kg⁻� in the controls. In addition, betaine decreased to 38 � 2 mmol kg⁻� protein from 69 � 10 mmol kg⁻� protein in the control. The urea content of the medulla was found to have fallen from 2868 � 558 mmol kg⁻� protein to 480 � 105 mmol kg⁻� protein. These data indicated that indeed the medullary osmotic gradient, the driving force for AVP-dependent fluid reabsorption in the kidney was greatly reduced during lithium-induced NDI.
Thirdly, it was proposed that the sodium-channel blocker, amiloride, by acting to prevent lithium entry into the cells of the collecting duct, should ameliorate or abolish the adverse effects of lithium on the kidney. Treatment of rats with established NDI, with amiloride, reversed to a large extent the reduction in aquaporin protein expression and re-established the medullary osmotic gradient, as assessed by the ability of treated rats to concentrate their urine, and by the rise in amounts of medullary osmolytes. Administration of 0.5 mmol l⁻� amiloride to lithium-treated rats led to medullary AQP2 and AQP3 protein abundance increasing by 82% � 16% and 110% � 4% of the control level respectively. The content of urea in the medulla also increased to 2474 � 557 mmol kg⁻� protein.
Finally, since in humans it is known that the chronic effect of lithium on the kidney is to cause cortical fibrosis and renal failure, microarray studies were commenced to look for evidence of early changes in gene activity in response to lithium-administration. The results showed that 77 genes were either up- or down-regulated, in particular, genes that are involved in the apoptosis pathway.
In the light of these results it is plausible to suggest that the acute renal effects of lithium to induce NDI can be effectively mitigated, and reversed, by administration of amiloride. Whether this can serve to offset the chronic effects of lithium on the kidney awaits further investigation.
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Jew, Kara Lynn. "Development of a Prolyl Endopeptidase Expression System In Lactobacillus reuteri to Reduce the Clinical Manifestation of Celiac Disease." DigitalCommons@CalPoly, 2019. https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/theses/2065.
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Celiac Disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder that emerges due to the ingestion of gluten, a protein found in a variety of common grains such as wheat, rye, and barley. Approximately 1 in 100 individuals in the US suffer from CD, making it the most commonly diagnosed gastrointestinal disorder (Ciclitira et. al., 2005). These proline-rich gluten peptides are resistant to proteolysis and accumulate in the duodenum of the small intestine. Once in the duodenum, these peptides illicit an autoimmune response resulting in villous atrophy. Current treatment for CD requires a rigorous adherence to a gluten-free diet. Nevertheless, gluten-containing grains are ubiquitous in the western diet, so accidental
exposure to gluten remains as a persistent threat.
The approach of this project centers on genetically engineering a strain Lactobacillus reuteri to secrete a Myxococcus xanthus prolyl endopeptidase (PEP), an enzyme that hydrolyzes a peptide bond adjacent to an internal proline residue. The data from this study revealed that recombinant M. xanthus PEP purified from E. coli was effective in degrading Suc-Ala-Pro-pNA, a chromogenic substrate containing an internal proline residue. When introduced into a L. reuteri expression vector, mutations accumulated in the vector over the course of 5 days. These data suggested that toxicity was possibly associated with M. xanthus PEP and the amyl signal peptide.
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Ockert, Candice. "Identification of molecular markers for the diagnostic identification of the intracellular prokaryote associated with the appearance of withering syndrome in the abalone Haliotis midae." Thesis, Link to the online version, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/10019/1148.
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Cedergren, Jan. "Radical aspects on arthritis : the role of neutrophil generation of nitric oxide and superoxide in inflammatory conditions." Doctoral thesis, Linköping : Univ, 2007. http://www.bibl.liu.se/liupubl/disp/disp2007/med984s.pdf.
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Halpern, Melissa Dale. "The in vivo and in vitro effects of diethyldithiocarbamate on autoimmune New Zealand Black/White F₁ hybrid, MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr and related and normal murine strains." Diss., The University of Arizona, 1989. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/184940.
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New Zealand Black/White F₁ hybrid (NZB/W) and MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr (MRL/lpr) mice spontaneously develop a Systemic Lupus Erythematosus-like autoimmune disease. While the primary immunologic defect in the NZB/W is due to B cells, in the MRL/lpr it is a result of T cell abnormalities. Diethyldithiocarbamate (DTC), an agent suggested to enhance T cell function, was used to treat both strains. Weekly treatment of NZB/W mice with 25 mg/kg DTC had no significant effect upon survival or autoantibody levels but did induce changes in cell surface antigen expression. MRL/lpr mice treated with DTC displayed normalization of cell surface antigen expression (particularly increased expression of Lyt-2, macrophage markers and Lyt-2⁺/L3T4⁺ thymocytes), decreased lymphoproliferation and thymic atrophy, decreased serum autoantibody levels and kidney deposition of C3 and IgM, restored responses to mitogens and significantly prolonged survival. To determine both the influence of MRL background and lpr genes and to better understand on what cell populations DTC effects, changes in cell surface antigen expression were examined in DTC treated MRL-+/+, Balb/c, and Balb/lpr strains. The only consistent similarities observed between all strains tested were DTC induced changes in Mac-1 splenocyte surface antigen expression. In vitro studies showed DTC to have variable effects upon the mitogenic responses of lymphoid cells to phytohemagluttinin, but DTC alone stimulated both MRL/lpr and Balb/lpr lymphocytes. DTC stimulated the null cell population that predominates in lpr gene-bearing mice, but all observed in vitro effects of DTC were dependent upon the adherent cell population included in culture. DTC had no apparent direct effects upon adherent cells alone however. These studies have shown that DTC is capable of positive effects upon one autoimmune murine strain, the MRL/lpr, but not the NZB/W. DTC appears to affect macrophages, but other cell populations are required to obtain full activity of this compound. The variable effects of DTC emphasize the need to define the immunopathology of individual patients with autoimmune disease before initiating treatment with immunomodulative therapy.
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Zhian, Samaneh. "Molecular Genetic Analysis of CRELD1 in Patients with Heterotaxy Disorder." PDXScholar, 2011. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/410.
Full textAbstract:
Heterotaxy refers to the abnormal arrangement of internal organs in relation to each other. Model organism studies have shown that functions of more than eighty genes are required for normal asymmetric left-right organ development. CRELD1 has been shown to be necessary for proper heart development and mutations in CRELD1 are known to increase risk of cardiac atrioventricular septal defects (AVSD). AVSD is the most common form of heart defect associated with heterotaxy, and we have previously shown that some individuals with heterotaxy-related AVSD have mutations in CRELD1. Therefore, we propose to examine the CRELD1 gene in a large sample of patients with heterotaxy syndrome. Our goal was to determine if mutations in CRELD1 are associated with other manifestations of heterotaxy or if they only coincide with AVSD. To achieve this aim, a sample size of 126 patients with heterotaxy collected by Dr. Belmont, Baylor college of Medicine, Texas, with approximately 66% of the heterotaxy population with different types of heart defects, were used for this study. Ten exons, promoter regions, and regulatory elements in the introns of CRELD1 gene were sequenced and analyzed. In this study three different heterozygous missense mutations in CRELD1 were identified in three unrelated individuals. These three individuals were diagnosed with different forms of heart defects in addition to AVSD. All three mutations were identified in highly conserved regions of CRELD1 possibly altering the CRELD1 properties. This demonstrates that mutations in CRELD1 may increase the susceptibility of AVSD in heterotaxy population. This information can help us to find factors effecting disease susceptibility in heterotaxy patients since the heart defects are a complex trait with incomplete penetrance.
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Filkowski, Jody, and University of Lethbridge Faculty of Arts and Science. "The effect of pathogens on plant genome stability." Thesis, Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Dept. of Biological Sciences, 2004, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/10133/254.
Full textAbstract:
Resistance (R) genes, a key factor in determining the resistance of plants, have been shown often to be highly allelic entities existing in duplicated regions of the genome. This characteristic suggests that R-gene acquisition may have arisen through frequent genetic rearrangements as a result of transient, reduced genome stability. Tabacco plants transgenic for a recombination construct exhibited reduced genome stability upon infection with a virulent pathogen (tobacco mosaic virus). The reduced genome stability manifested as an increase in recombination events in the transgene. Such increases were observed following a virulent pathogen attack. This increase in recombination was shown to be systemic and was observed prior to systemic viral movement suggesting the presence of a systemic recombination signal. Further molecular analyses revealed that specific R-gene loci experience a large frequency of rearrangements following a virulent pathogen encounter. The possible targeting of instability to R-gene regions may be controlled through epigenetic processes, in particular, DNA methylation.xiii, 119 leaves ; 29 cm.
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Mkhize, Thokozani M. "The detection of cherry leaf-roll nepovirus and the use of molecular markers for germplasm identification in walnuts (Juglans regia L.)." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/53624.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2003.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to combine two common diagnostic tools: serological kits and genetic fingerprinting to identify cherry leaf-roll nepovirus (CLRV), and to establish a marker system to characterize walnut germplasm. The detection of plant viruses is difficult. Restrictions are imposed for quarantine purposes on the importation of plant material from foreign countries. Modern techniques such as a PCR based screening method for CLRV are required to ensure material do not harbour viruses. A primer pair was designed to amplify a 430 bp non-coding homologous region. For the choice of primers, consensus sequences were considered and areas where the sequence data shared 98.5% homology, were chosen. The sensitivity of this detection method was 100-fold higher when compared to the ELISA. The PCR fragment was verified by nucleotide sequencing. AFLP technology was used to identify polymorphic fragments for 6 walnut cultivars and a rootstock, and SCARs were developed from AFLP specific bands. The AFLP technique distinguished all the walnut cultivars and the rootstock. However, conversion of AFLP fragments to SCAR markers for the development of a simple robust technique for cultivar discrimination, was not successful. Using 27 AFLP primer combinations, polymorphic fragments as high as 47.8% were scored. The reason for the lack of efficient conversion was as the result of the AFLP technique. The SCAR primers were generated from sequences internal to the AFLP primers but the specificity of the markers was in the AFLP primers not the internal sequence. In this study using AFLP, walnut cultivars were found to be closely related. The AFLP primer pairs used, provided polymorphic fragments. From these fragments, 7 SCAR markers were developed. It was expected that these SCARs derived from the AFLP markers would detect slight differences between cultivars. The Paradox SCAR marker was the only one that could divide the cultivars into two groups. When Chandler SCAR products were digested with the restriction enzyme Rsal, the same banding pattern as that of Paradox SCAR products was observed.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie was om twee algemene opsporingstegnieke te kombineer: serologiese toetsstelle en genetiese vingerafdrukke om cherry leaf-roll nepovirus (CLRV) te eien en om In merkersisteem te ontwikkel wat okkerneut kiemplasma kan karakteriseer. Die opsporing van plant virusse is baie moeilik. As gevolg van kwarantyn vereistes, word daar beperkinge geplaas word op die invoer van plant materiaal vanuit die buiteland. Moderne tegnieke soos hierdie een wat op PKR berus, word benodig om te verseker dat CLRV nie in plantmateriaal teenwoordig is nie. In Stel inleiers is ontwerp wat In 430 bp nie-koderende homoloë area amplifiseer. Hiervoor is konsensus volgordes bestudeer en slegs die volgordes wat 98,5% homologie getoon het, is gekies. In vergelyking met ELISA was die sensitiwiteit van hierdie deteksie metode 100 maal beter. DNA volgordebepaling is op die resulterende fragment gedoen om die PKR produk te verifieer. AFLP tegnologie is gebruik om polimorfiese fraqmente vir 6 okkerneut kultivars en 'n onderstok te identifiseer en SCARs is uit hierdie fragmente ontwikkel. Die AFLP tegniek kon tussen al die okkerneut kultivars en die onderstok onderskei. Die omskakeling van die AFLP fragmente in SCAR merkers om sodoende In eenvoudige kragtige tegniek vir kultivar onderskeiding te ontwikkel, was egter nie suksesvol nie. Met die gebruik van 27 AFLP inleier kombinasies, kon polimorfiese fragmente van so hoog as 47.8% verkry word. Die rede hoekom omskakeling onsuksesvol was lê by die aard van die AFLP tegniek. Die SCAR inleiers is ontwikkel uit volyordes intern tot die AFLP inleiers, maar die spesifisiteit van die merkers het juis in die AFLP inleiers gelê en nie in die interne volgordes nie. In hierdie studie, met die gebruik van AFLP, is gevind dat okkerneut kultivars baie naby verwant is. Die AFLP inleierstelle wat gebruik is, het polimorfiese fragmente gelewer. Uit hierdie fragmente is 7 SCAR merkers ontwikkel. Daar is verwag dat die SCARs wat uit die AFLP merkers ontwikkel is, klein verskille tussen kultivars sou opspoor. Dit was egter net die Paradox SCAR merker wat die kultivars in twee groepe kon verdeel. Restriksie ensiem vertering met Rsalop die Chandler SCAR produkte het dieselfde bandpatrone as die van die Paradox SCAR produkte gelewer.