Date of Graduation

Spring 2024

Degree

Master of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology

Department

Biomedical Sciences

Committee Chair

Jianjie Wang

Abstract

P2Y2 receptors, G-protein coupled receptors and transmembrane proteins, are present on most cells in the body and hold a wide variety of roles. Previous research indicates that under resting conditions, P2Y2 receptors suppress the movement of leukocytes but it is unknown how inflammation will alter this in the body. The objective of this project was to determine the effect of P2Y2 receptors on leukocyte behavior in vivo under acute inflammation using Intravenous Microscopy (IVM) in post-capillary venules of the cremaster skeletal muscle. Lipopolysaccharide was injected into the scrotum of transgenic male mice to cause localized acute inflammation. Leukocytes conjugated with Rhodamine 6G injected through the tail vein are visualized with an IX81 Olympus florescence microscope. We hypothesized observing an increase in recruitment, rolling, and adhesion of leukocytes when compared to a control group. If this was the case, it could suggest that the P2Y2 receptors expressed on both endothelial cells and leukocytes regulate the leukocyte response during inflammation. With better understanding of P2Y2 receptor role in inflammation, better control of an inflammatory response by potentially diminishing harmful effects of inflammation on normal tissue is possible.

Keywords

P2Y2 receptors, acute inflammation, leukocytes, endothelial cells, LPS, in vivo

Subject Categories

Medicine and Health Sciences

Copyright

© Corynn D. Knight

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Open Access

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