An Investigation of the Role of Neuraminidase in Lupus Nephritis
School Name
South Carolina Governor's School for Science & Mathematics
Grade Level
12th Grade
Presentation Topic
Cell and Molecular Biology
Presentation Type
Mentored
Abstract
Lupus Nephritis is an autoimmune disease that results in the deterioration of one’s kidneys. The origins of Lupus Nephritis have been traced to an excess of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in Mesangial Cells. As the origins of Lupus Nephritis in these cells have not yet been explored in-depth, the objective of our research was to determine whether Neuraminidase mediated a specific cytokine known as IP-10. IP-10 demonstrated similar characteristics to another chemokine called IL-6 in the way it responded to varying levels of Neuraminidase. As IL-6 was found to be directly mediated by NEU, we hypothesized that NEU would also directly mediate IP-10. Using RT-PCRs and ELISAs, to measure the resulting level of mRNA and protein levels of IP-10 respectively, we measured to see if there was a correlation between increasing and decreasing Neuraminidase stimulation in Mesangial Cells and the resulting IP-10 mRNA and protein levels. Our results found that IP-10 does not directly mediate NEU though, as when OP, a neuraminidase inhibitor, was added to Mesangial Cells, IP-10 levels did not always decrease, but when stimulated with excess neuraminidase, they did increase.
Recommended Citation
McDade, Caitlin, "An Investigation of the Role of Neuraminidase in Lupus Nephritis" (2019). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 44.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2019/all/44
Location
Founders Hall 114 A
Start Date
3-30-2019 11:15 AM
Presentation Format
Oral Only
Group Project
No
An Investigation of the Role of Neuraminidase in Lupus Nephritis
Founders Hall 114 A
Lupus Nephritis is an autoimmune disease that results in the deterioration of one’s kidneys. The origins of Lupus Nephritis have been traced to an excess of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in Mesangial Cells. As the origins of Lupus Nephritis in these cells have not yet been explored in-depth, the objective of our research was to determine whether Neuraminidase mediated a specific cytokine known as IP-10. IP-10 demonstrated similar characteristics to another chemokine called IL-6 in the way it responded to varying levels of Neuraminidase. As IL-6 was found to be directly mediated by NEU, we hypothesized that NEU would also directly mediate IP-10. Using RT-PCRs and ELISAs, to measure the resulting level of mRNA and protein levels of IP-10 respectively, we measured to see if there was a correlation between increasing and decreasing Neuraminidase stimulation in Mesangial Cells and the resulting IP-10 mRNA and protein levels. Our results found that IP-10 does not directly mediate NEU though, as when OP, a neuraminidase inhibitor, was added to Mesangial Cells, IP-10 levels did not always decrease, but when stimulated with excess neuraminidase, they did increase.
