DOI

https://doi.org/10.25772/K9TX-DX77

Defense Date

2006

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Biochemistry

First Advisor

Dr. Sarah Spiegal

Abstract

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), an age-old clinical problem facing the Emergency Department and Intensive Care Units of all health systems, is a common debilitating lung condition consequent upon severe systemic inflammation. Although several studies have gone into understanding the epidemiology and pathogenesis of the disease thus making way for new advances in treatment strategies, there seems to be no known study tailored to its prevention. Neutrophil extravasation within the tissues during inflammation is the hallmark of this syndrome. Our study sought to block excessive neutrophil infiltration by inhibiting the biosynthesis of some essential proteins necessary for the process. In this initial study, neutrophil transmigration was successfully reduced by 66% using protein synthesis inhibitors, a combination of puromycin and anisomycin. Our strategy, if fine-tuned, could form the basis of a new clinical strategy for the prevention of ARDS.

Rights

© The Author

Is Part Of

VCU University Archives

Is Part Of

VCU Theses and Dissertations

Date of Submission

June 2008

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