Publication Date
2010
Document Type
Thesis
Committee Members
Larry Arlian (Advisor), Barbara Hull (Committee Member), Courtney Sulentic (Committee Member)
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Abstract
The prevalence of allergenic diseases and sensitization to stored product mites is increasing worldwide. Stored product mites are prevalent in homes, foods, and some work environments. Stored product mites need to be further studied so we can characterize their inflammatory properties to understand their role in skin disease, and provide proper treatment to patients with mite allergies. The purpose of the study was to show the role of stored product mites in modulating the inflammatory and immune response to human dermal endothelial cells in the skin. The epidermis serves as the first line of defense between the body and the environment. Disturbance of the epidermal barrier can allow the penetration of allergens and other exogenous molecules into the skin. Interaction between allergens and other mite molecules, and cells in the epidermis and dermis such as keratinocytes, fibroblasts, antigen presenting cells, leukocytes and microvascular endothelial cells in the skin may trigger inflammation and immune reactions. Once inside the skin, mite allergens and other mite molecules contact endothelial cells, and those molecules may affect endothelial cell function. Endothelial cells control the movement of inflammatory cells from the blood into the dermis during allergic reactions (atopic dermatitis) and other skin diseases. Our experiments tested the hypothesis: components of stored product mites influence functioning of normal human dermal microvascular endothelial cells. Stored product mite extracts regulated cell adhesion molecule expression and cytokine secretion by microvascular endothelial cells. Acarus siro up-regulated ICAM-1. A. siro down-regulated the TNF-α induced expression of VCAM-1. Chortoglyphus arcuatus down-regulated the TNF-α induced expression of E-selectin. Tyrophagus putrescentiae down-regulated the TNF-α induced expression of ICAM-1. A. siro and Lepidoglyphus destructor down-regulated the constitutive secretion of VEG-F. A. siro induced secretion of GM-CSF and IL-6. C. arcuatus induced secretion of IL-6 and IL-8. These responses were not mediated through PARs or TLRs.
Page Count
83
Department or Program
Department of Biological Sciences
Year Degree Awarded
2010
Copyright
Copyright 2010, all rights reserved. This open access ETD is published by Wright State University and OhioLINK.
