Return to search

Differential thrombospondin expression on T lymphocytes in a Feline Immunodeficiency Virus model

CD4+CD25+ T regulatory cells represent an important subset of lymphocytes whose function is to suppress autoimmune disease and control normal immune responses. There is much research indicating a direct role for TGF-beta expressed on the surface of Tregs in the suppressor function of these cells. TGF-beta, whether bound to the cell surface or secreted, is produced as part of a complex that renders the cytokine inactive. Thrombospondin is the primary activator of biologically latent TGF-beta. This research demonstrates that thrombospondin is expressed on the surface of T lymphocytes isolated from the blood and lymph nodes of normal and FIV positive felines. Thrombospondin is expressed at significantly higher levels on CD4+CD25+ T lymphocytes, but can be induced in culture by activating T helper cells in the presence of LPS and IL2. We also observed that the CD4+CD25- T helper cells isolated from FIV negative control lymph nodes were able to markedly upregulate surface thrombospondin expression compared with similarly stimulated CD4+CD25- T helper cells from FIV positive sources. These findings are initial steps in working to understand the mechanism behind latent TGF-beta activation on CD4+CD25+ T regulatory cells and the role this cell type plays in FIV/HIV pathogenesis.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:NCSU/oai:NCSU:etd-06152007-103921
Date06 August 2007
CreatorsRogers, Melinda Cadd
ContributorsDr. Sue Tonkonogy, Dr. Gregg Dean, Dr. Mary Tompkins
PublisherNCSU
Source SetsNorth Carolina State University
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
Typetext
Formatapplication/pdf
Sourcehttp://www.lib.ncsu.edu/theses/available/etd-06152007-103921/
Rightsunrestricted, I hereby certify that, if appropriate, I have obtained and attached hereto a written permission statement from the owner(s) of each third party copyrighted matter to be included in my thesis, dis sertation, or project report, allowing distribution as specified below. I certify that the version I submitted is the same as that approved by my advisory committee. I hereby grant to NC State University or its agents the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible, under the conditions specified below, my thesis, dissertation, or project report in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. I retain all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis, dissertation or project report. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis, dissertation, or project report.

Page generated in 0.0019 seconds