Degree Name

MS (Master of Science)

Program

Biology

Date of Award

8-2012

Committee Chair or Co-Chairs

Kevin Breuel

Committee Members

Chanfu Li, J. Leonard Robertson

Abstract

The pathophysiology of cytokines released by infiltrating white blood cells upon pancreatic beta cells is not fully understood. Early growth response gene-1 (Egr-1) expression is specifically and transiently up regulated in pancreatic beta cells in response to glucose. We hypothesized that interleukin-1 beta (IL-1▀) induction of nitric oxide alters glucose induced Egr-1 transcription levels. Egr-1 levels were assessed via western blot, nitric oxide was measured with a Griess Reagent kit and insulin levels via ELISA. Glucose induced both insulin and Egr-1 production in INS-1 cells. IL-1▀ dose dependently increased nitric oxide production over time and significantly attenuated glucose induced Egr-1 expression. Sodium nitroprusside dose dependently reduced glucose induced Egr-1 production. The data suggest a strong relationship between IL-1▀ induced nitric oxide production and the reduction of glucose stimulated Egr-1 production. The pathways altered by this cytokine could provide a better understanding of the pathophysiology leading to pancreatic beta cell death.

Document Type

Thesis - unrestricted

Copyright

Copyright by the authors.

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