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2021 Projects

Developing Therapeutics for the Prevention of Crystalline Silica-Induced Inflammation by Anti-Depressant Drugs

Mentor: 
Andrij Holian, PhD, Professor, Director CEHS; Biostatistician: Raymond Hamilton, MS
Graduate Student: 
Rebekah Kendall, PhD Candidate, PreDoctoral-NRSA Recipient
SURP Student: 
Yaneiza González Altieri, SOT Intern, University of Puerto Rico at Aguadilla

Silicosis is a chronic inflammation disease where currently no cure is available. This disease occurred after exposure of silica (cSiO2) particles that affects the Lysosome Membrane Permeabilization (LMP) of the phagolysosome in macrophages. Resulting in a leakage of cathepsin and other proteases that activate the NLPRP3 inflammasome complex and secretion of the proinflammatory cytokines. This study was design to use two Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved antidepressant drugs in mice macrophage cells as a treatment for silicosis to repurpose these drugs.

Mechanism of Acrolein Toxicity

Mentor: 
Andrij Holian, PhD, Professor, Director CEHS; Biostatistician: Raymond Hamilton, MS
Graduate Student: 
Rebekah Kendall, PhD Candidate, PreDoctoral-NRSA Recipient
SURP Student: 
Kathryn Lund, The University of Montana – Western

Acrolein is a colorless, acrid-smelling chemical commonly produced by tobacco smoke, cooking grease, and the dehydration of glycerol to form other compounds such as biocides. Exposure to acrolein can cause negative health effects such as nose, skin, and respiratory irritation. Toxic effects due to acrolein can vary depending on the dose and duration of exposure. Acrolein is the simplest beta-unsaturated aldehyde, with an electrophilic-alpha carbon and carbonyl group making it highly reactive.

Impacts of Inhaled Environmental Particles on Macrophage Inflammatory Functions

Mentor: 
Christopher Migliaccio, PhD, PharmD., Research Associate Professor
SURP Student: 
Hailey Madison, SOT Intern, The University of Montana – Western

Exposure to environmental particles can cause long term health effects including obstructive pulmonary disease. A key cell in the response to inhaled environmental exposures is the alveolar macrophage (AM). The AM plays important roles in both the induction and resolution of inflammatory responses. Efferocytosis is the process in which apoptotic cells are recognized and cleared by phagocytic cells that results in reduction of inflammation, which reduces the production of inflammatory cytokines like TNF.

Exposure to persistent organic pollutants and global DNA methylation in whales

Mentor: 
Yoon Hee Cho, PhD., MPH, Associate Professor
SURP Student: 
Gabriela Martinez, University of Puerto Rico at Aguadilla

Environmental influences can result in physiological changes through epigenetics, which is the study of heritable changes in gene activity or function that is not associated with any change of the DNA sequence itself. Epigenetic modifications such as hypomethylation or hypermethylation have been shown to occur when exposed to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) which are known to disrupt the endocrine system. POPs are chemical substances that persist in the environment and pose a risk of causing adverse effects to human health and the environment.

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