Effects of Long-Term Lif Exposure on Myotube Diameter and Protein Synthesis

School Name

Governor's School for Science & Mathematics

Grade Level

12th Grade

Presentation Topic

Cell and Molecular Biology

Presentation Type

Mentored

Mentor

Mentor: James Carson, University of South Carolina

Abstract

Cachexia is a muscle wasting syndrome found in patients with late stages of cancer. It leads to rapid loss of body fat and skeletal muscle tissue and has a significant impact on the mortality rates of patients. Cachexia is multifactorial, but studies have shown that high levels of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and LIF induce symptoms that promote this muscle wasting. However, it is unknown whether this is from an overexpression of protein synthesis or an increased protein degradation. LIF is a cytokine in the IL-6 family, and its impact on cachexia needed to be measured. C2C12 cells were treated with LIF for 24 hours prior to collection and the rates of myotube atrophy and protein synthesis were measured in order to determine the role of LIF on cachexia. Myotubes were photographed and the average diameters of the groups grown with LIF and without LIF were calculated. Puromycin, which was introduced to the cell cultures 30 minutes prior to collection, and p6070SK content was measured for the control and experimental groups using a western blot. Cell groups that were introduced to LIF had smaller myotube diameter and were less organized than the control group. Cell groups with LIF had significantly lower amounts of puromycin and p6070SK in their cells. Based upon these results, LIF induces symptoms myotube atrophy symptoms, as well as the rate of protein synthesis. However, further research is required to understand LIF’s signaling pathways and the affect other cytokines have on cachexia.

Location

Wall 209

Start Date

3-25-2017 10:00 AM

Presentation Format

Oral and Written

Group Project

No

COinS
 
Mar 25th, 10:00 AM

Effects of Long-Term Lif Exposure on Myotube Diameter and Protein Synthesis

Wall 209

Cachexia is a muscle wasting syndrome found in patients with late stages of cancer. It leads to rapid loss of body fat and skeletal muscle tissue and has a significant impact on the mortality rates of patients. Cachexia is multifactorial, but studies have shown that high levels of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and LIF induce symptoms that promote this muscle wasting. However, it is unknown whether this is from an overexpression of protein synthesis or an increased protein degradation. LIF is a cytokine in the IL-6 family, and its impact on cachexia needed to be measured. C2C12 cells were treated with LIF for 24 hours prior to collection and the rates of myotube atrophy and protein synthesis were measured in order to determine the role of LIF on cachexia. Myotubes were photographed and the average diameters of the groups grown with LIF and without LIF were calculated. Puromycin, which was introduced to the cell cultures 30 minutes prior to collection, and p6070SK content was measured for the control and experimental groups using a western blot. Cell groups that were introduced to LIF had smaller myotube diameter and were less organized than the control group. Cell groups with LIF had significantly lower amounts of puromycin and p6070SK in their cells. Based upon these results, LIF induces symptoms myotube atrophy symptoms, as well as the rate of protein synthesis. However, further research is required to understand LIF’s signaling pathways and the affect other cytokines have on cachexia.