TGFβ/TGFβR3 Signaling Pathways in Autoimmune Disease

Authors

  • Reggie Holifield The University of Montevallo

Keywords:

Autoimmune Disease, Cell Signaling, Immunoglobulin, Transgenic

Abstract

This research project focuses on the effect that the TGFβ/TGFβR3 immune cell signaling pathway has on antibody production in mice immunized with a T cell-independent antigen. Sera were collected from two groups of mice immunized with a trinitrophenyl (TNP) antigen: a transgenic group lacking the TGFβ/TGFβR3 signaling pathway and a littermate control group with an intact signaling pathway. Sera were collected 0-42 days following immunization. The indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was utilized to detect different subclasses of anti-TNP antibodies (IgM, IgG1, IgG2b, IgG2c, and IgG3). This project contributes to investigating whether variations in the TGFβ/TGFβR3 cell signaling pathway affect antibody production associated with certain types of autoimmune disease and the potential for therapies targeting this pathway as treatment for such diseases.

Faculty Mentor: Christine Sestero

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Published

2017-05-08

Issue

Section

Natural Sciences