Publication Date

2008

Document Type

Thesis

Committee Members

Larry G. Arlian (Advisor), James Mcdougal (Committee Member), Mill Miller (Committee Member)

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Abstract

Sarcoptes scabiei infests its host through burrowing into the stratum corneum layer of skin. Keratinocytes and fibroblasts responding to the burrowing mite(s) and/or mite products produce inflammatory and immune activating cytokines and chemokines. The purpose of this study was to determine if an extract of S. scabiei can modulate cytokine and chemokine expression from keratinocytes and fibroblasts in vitro. Normal human keratinocytes and fibroblasts were exposed to an extract of S. scabiei var. canis with or without various pro-inflammatory stimuli. Cytokine and chemokine expression were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Scabies extract increased expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6), growth-related oncogene-α (GRO-α), transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α), and cutaneous T-cell attracting chemokine (CTACK) by keratinocytes. In contrast, scabies extract decreased expression of interleukin-8 (IL-8) by keratinocytes. In comparison, scabies extract increased expression of IL-6 and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) by fibroblasts. In contrast, scabies extract decreased expression of granulocyte/macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and IL-8 by fibroblasts. These findings demonstrate that S. scabiei can modulate cytokine and chemokine expression by human keratinocytes and fibroblasts.

Page Count

142

Department or Program

Department of Biological Sciences

Year Degree Awarded

2008


Included in

Biology Commons

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