Advisor(s)
M. V. Sitkovskiĭ
Contributor(s)
Wendy A. Smith, Donald M. O'Malley
Date of Award
2008
Date Accepted
7-2008
Degree Grantor
Northeastern University
Degree Level
M.S.
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department or Academic Unit
College of Arts and Sciences. Department of Biology.
Keywords
Biology, Immune system, T cells, Hypoxia, Cancer, Hypersensitivity, Vaccines
Subject Categories
Cancer vaccines, Immunologic diseases
Disciplines
Immunology of Infectious Disease
Abstract
The immune system, when appropriately regulated, helps protect and defend the body from a variety of threats including pathogens, injuries, diseases, and cancer. However, not all immune responses are beneficial--an overactive immune response can cause more harm than the provoking agent, often resulting in considerable tissue damage. The hypoxia-adenosinergic pathway plays a crucial role in the regulation of T cell responses, by studying this pathway we can learn more about manipulating the immune system and develop better therapeutic strategies. Here we studied the delayed-type hypersensitivity response (DTH), long term immunization, modified air pouch, and intradermal tumor models on mice to gain understanding of the how to adjust the immune system through the hypoxia-adenosinergic mechanism. The preliminary data support the approach where different stages of the immune responses can be rationally manipulated by ""low-tech"" treatments like high oxygen and the A2A adenosine receptor antagonist, caffeine.
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Rights Holder
Margaret Ellen McCrann
Permanent URL
Recommended Citation
McCrann, Margaret Ellen, "In vivo studies of the hypoxia-adenosinergic tissue protection mechanism" (2008). Biology Master's Theses. Paper 5. http://hdl.handle.net/2047/d10016612
Click button above to open, or right-click to save.