Advisor

Schountz, William A.

Committee Member

Burns, Patrick

Committee Member

Jurin, Richard

Committee Member

Pulos, Steven

Department

Biological Science

Institution

University of Northern Colorado

Type of Resources

Text

Place of Publication

Greeley (Colo.)

Publisher

University of Northern Colorado

Date Created

12-1-2011

Genre

Thesis

Extent

202 pages

Digital Origin

Born digital

Description

Hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) is characterized by fatigue, fever, and thrombocytopenia and results in pulmonary edema and shock. HCPS currently has a 36% mortality rate in the United States. The small animal model for studying HCPS was the Syrian golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus), which develops a similar disease when infected with Andes (ANDV) or Maporal hantavirus (MAPV). We tested the use of anti-inflammatory cytokines, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFβ1) or interleukin-10 (IL-10) as therapeutic agents for attenuating disease severity. Gene expression in both lung and spleen suggested an innate immune response with elevation of STAT 1 and MxA. The administration of TGFβ1appeared to suppress expression of several vasoactive cytokines, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in the lungs of infected animals and decreased lung congestion and pleural fluid volume; however, no significant attenuation of lesion severity was observed. Administration of IL-10 resulted in increased lesion score and no suppression of gene expression. This suggested that the noncognate functions of TGFβ1 may play a role in HCPS pathology and that IL-10 augments disease pathology.

Notes

Released from one-year embargo.

Degree type

PhD

Degree Name

Doctoral

Language

English

Local Identifiers

James_unco_0161D_10112.pdf

Rights Statement

Copyright is held by author.

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