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Expression of microRNA in Alveolar Macrophages Deficient in PPARy
(East Carolina University, 2014)
The nuclear transcription factor Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) is a negative regulator of macrophage activation and inflammatory mediators. Alveolar macrophages of healthy individuals constitutively express PPARgamma Decreased activity and expression of PPARgamma are observed in the alveolar macrophages from patients suffering from inflammatory conditions such as pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) and sarcoidosis. These finding suggest that PPARf× activity may have an integral role in maintaining lung homeostasis. This study tested the hypothesis that microRNA expression would be dysregulated in murine alveolar macrophages deficient in PPARgamma. microRNA (miR) are small non-coding RNA molecules that post-transcriptionally regulate the expression of messenger RNA. Evaluation of microRNA in the murine model of PAP, the GM-CSF-KO mouse, demonstrates the elevation of miR-27a and miR-27b which target PPARgamma. The deficiency of PPARgamma and the lipid transporters ABCA1 and ABCG1 have been shown to contribute to the pathology of PAP. The microRNA miR-33-3p and miR-33-5p, which target these lipid transporters, were also elevated in GM-CSF-KO mice. Pulmonary granulomas comparable to those observed in pulmonary sarcoidosis are induced by instillation of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) in C57Bl/6 mice. These animals have decreased PPARgamma activity and show elevated expression of miR-27a and miR-27b. It was also observed that the expression of the transporters ABCA1 and ABCG1 were decreased in MWCNT instilled mice. Expression of miR-33-3p and miR-33-5p was elevated in MWCNT instilled animals. The expression of microRNA that affects the activity of NF-£eB is also elevated in both murine models. We next investigated the use of PPARgamma agonist rosiglitazone on the expression of microRNA and messenger RNA. The use of rosiglitazone altered the expression of microRNA in both GM-CSF-KO and C57Bl/6+MWCNT mice. Rosiglitazone treatment altered the expression of the lipid transporter ABCA1and ABCG1 in C57Bl/6+MWCNT mice. The elevation of proinflammatory cytokines was also observed. Taken together, these observations support the hypothesis that PPARgamma activity effects the microRNA and gene expression in alveolar macrophages which is critical to overall lung homeostasis. Understanding the relationship between PPARgamma and microRNA in alveolar macrophage biology will provide insight into the regulation of the lung environment and possible therapeutic targets. ...
Gesture Prediction Model for the Guitar Fingering Problem
(East Carolina University, 2014)
In this thesis we provide a method for finding the fingering of a music piece on any type of guitar using a hand model. Adapting to the real world conditions by deploying a model of the user's hand, and considering the ...
Blue Guardian Original TV Series : Two Episodes, Blue Tornado and Blue Mountains
(East Carolina University, 2014)
Blue Guardian is an original TV series with two episodes presented here, entitled "Blue Tornado" and "Blue Mountains." It is in the mystery genre without particularly dealing with murder investigations. Rather, each ...
SEAFARING WOMEN : An Investigation of Material Culture for Potential Archaeological Diagnostics of Women on Nineteenth-Century Sailing Ships
(East Carolina University, 2014)
During the 19th century, women went to sea on sailing ships. Wives and family accompanied captains on their voyages from New England. They wrote journals and letters that detailed their life on board, adventures in foreign ...
A Determination Worthy of a Better Cause : Naval Action at the Battle of Roanoke Island 7 February 1862
(East Carolina University, 2014)
The Battle of Roanoke Island, during the American Civil War, was one of the first major amphibious landing operations in U.S. military history. As the Union Army landed troops on the island, an accompanying Union Naval ...
Developmental lead exposure and the exacerbation of Alzheimer's pathology: an immunological analysis
(East Carolina University, 2014)
Early neuroimmune dysfunction may play a driving role in the etiopathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD), stemming from the hypothesis that many late-stage adult diseases have an early-life basis. Here we explore whether ...
Interrelated role of Notch signaling and mTORC pathways in prostate cancer cell survival and growth
(East Carolina University, 2014)
Prostate cancer is currently the second highest leading cause of
cancer death in men. Notch is a transmembrane receptor protein that
is part of a signaling pathway necessary in the normal development of
the prostate. ...
Comparison of ZnO nanoparticles and ZnCl₂ induced germ cell apoptosis in Caenorhabditis elegans
(East Carolina University, 2014)
There is inadequate research data available on manufactured ZnO nanoparticles. Manufactured nanoparticles are widely used in various products and production of manufactured nanoparticles is becoming increasingly abundant. ...
Elizabeth I, Visual Icon : A Title Unintended
(East Carolina University, 2014)
This thesis explores Elizabeth I's relationship with her official state portraiture to show that she placed little value in its meaning and authority for political and diplomatic uses. Understanding her personal relationship ...
Maternal input of Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis) : Determining a mother's life history from its progeny in coastal North Carolina
(East Carolina University, 2014)
Otolith studies have become more prevalent in recent years as use has expanded from ageing to examination of migration patterns and fidelity to natal habitats, and more recently examining otoliths for possible maternal ...