Trained but In-Senescent: Characterization of Alveolar Macrophages in Trained Immunity

Trained but In-Senescent: Characterization of Alveolar Macrophages in Trained Immunity

Document Type

Abstract

Publication Date

10-2-2019

Abstract

Alveolar Macrophages are the present in large quantities within airways and are necessary for maintaining homeostasis as well as helping initiate different types of inflammatory responses. These macrophages are necessary for protecting against acute respiratory infections such as Influenza, but have also been linked to processes promoting post infection inflammation. In addition, research has shown how multiple incidences of acute lung viral infections may aid in driving the development of chronic lung fibrosis. In this project, we investigated characteristics of highly upregulated genes SPP1 and IL-1β shown in mice memory-phenotype alveolar macrophages. In addition, we investigated gene markers of senescent cells such as p16, p21 and proliferation in these macrophages. Alveolar macrophages showed an increase in SPP1 and IL-1β expression and protein concentration in the PR8 influenza memory treatment. In addition, although the memory macrophages showed increase in p16 and p21 expression, there was no significant decrease in cell proliferation, showing that these cells are non-senescent like.

Project Mentor

Dr. Jie. Sun

Funding and Acknowledgements

Funding: Mayo Clinic Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship, NIH Grants

Trained but In-Senescent: Characterization of Alveolar Macrophages in Trained Immunity

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