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.
