Month: July 2019

Targeting VEGF to Prevent Tumor Angiogenesis

July 2, 2019 Michael Byington
Michael Byington Introduction Vascular endothelia growth factors (VEGFs, letter labeled VEGF-A through VEGF-D) are a collection of protein hormones with significant structural similarities which induce angiogenesis through interactions with the VEGF receptors (VEGFRs, three unique VEGFRs have been identified VEFR-A, VEGFR-B, and VEGFR-C). Because tumor size is limited by the…
Cancer

Macrophage Activation in the Development and Progression of Atherosclerosis

July 2, 2019 Napoleon Busbuso
Napoleon Busbuso Introduction. Cardiovascular disease originating from atherosclerosis is the leading cause of death worldwide1. In the setting of dyslipidemia, LDL accumulates within the intima of arteries, and subsequent oxidation of LDL by free radicals incites a persistent inflammatory reaction that ultimately produces an atherosclerotic plaque2. Macrophages appear in the…
Cardiology Immunology Inflammation

Promoting Renal Lymphangiogenesis as a Means to Increase Renal Immune Cell Extravasation and Attenuate Hypertension

July 2, 2019 Brooke Burgess
Brooke Burgess Introduction: Hypertension (HTN) is a state of abnormally high blood pressure and is the most common chronic disease world-wide.1 HTN can lead to significant morbidity over time. Current pharmacological treatments have many side effects and are not effective in 12.8% of the population. Therefore, developing an alternative treatment…
Cardiology Immunology

The Effect of Dietary Products in Combination with Gut Microbes That Enable Localized Generation of SCFA on Histone Modifications and the Pathogenesis of Colon Cancer

July 2, 2019 Michael Buchholz
Michael Buchholz Introduction. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the 3rd most common cause of cancer worldwide, with a 10x higher incidence in Western countries1. CRC is, however, increasing in some Asian countries as they shift to a Western diet2. A high fiber diet (HFD) is associated with decreased incidence of CRC3.…
Cancer Microbiology

Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) Influence the Differentiation of Regulatory T cells and Th17 Cells for the Treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

July 2, 2019 Iain Bryant
Iain Bryant Introduction: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic complex autoimmune disease. Immune complex formation and deposition in various tissue provide a wide framework of symptoms including, but not limited to, vasculitis, nephritis, and arthritis.1 Additionally, studies have shown that roughly 80% of cases occur in women and incidence…
Immunology Inflammation

Alpha-7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Regulation of NF-kB and Nerve Growth Factor Expression Resulting in Airway Hyperresponsiveness

July 2, 2019 Abigail Bourland
Abigail Bourland Introduction. The dangers of tobacco smoke are well known in today’s world.1, 2, 3 Cigarette smoking has many adverse effects, some including, airway hyperresponsiveness, altered tissue structure, and more.1 Airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) is the constriction of airway smooth muscle cells and is a hallmark of asthma.1, 4 Understanding…
Respiratory

ROS Production by Dysfunctional Mitochondria Leads to Cell Senescence and Bone Aging

July 2, 2019 Roma Bhandarkar
Roma Bhandarkar  Introduction. Some damaged cells display cellular senescence, which is a stress response that results in permanent cell cycle arrest 2. Senescent cells secrete chemicals known as senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) that drive pathologies associated with aging, such as osteoarthritis 3. Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease characterized by degeneration…
Aging Orthopedics