Alpha defensin expression in white blood cells

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Allen, Naomi (2019) Alpha defensin expression in white blood cells. MRes thesis, University of Nottingham.

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Abstract

Copy number variation (CNV) accounts for a large proportion of genetic variation. The DEFA1A3 CNV has variable numbers of copies of the DEFA1 and DEFA3 genes that encode alpha defensins 1-3, antimicrobial peptides abundant in human neutrophils. Association studies have found associations between this locus and autoimmune diseases such as IgA nephropathy and periodontitis, though the disease mechanisms by which this association occurs are not yet fully understood. Previous investigations into the locus have found inconsistent results for expression of alpha defensin in subsets of white blood cells other than neutrophils. The objective of this project was to investigate the expression of alpha defensins in white blood cells and to determine if expression was variable based on genotype.

This project shows that expression of alpha defensin RNA is present in mononuclear cells as well as granulocytes but is variable independent of copy number or flanking SNP genotypes. No detectable expression of alpha defensin protein was found by immunocytochemistry in cells other than neutrophils. This project shows evidence of alpha defensin in mononuclear cells, highlighting new avenues in which to investigate when researching disease mechanisms of IgAN and periodontitis.

Item Type: Thesis (University of Nottingham only) (MRes)
Supervisors: Armour, John
Keywords: Copy number variation; Alpha defensin RNA; Mononuclear cells; Alpha defensin protein
Subjects: Q Science > QP Physiology
Faculties/Schools: UK Campuses > Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > School of Life Sciences
Item ID: 55711
Depositing User: Allen, Naomi
Date Deposited: 19 Jul 2019 04:40
Last Modified: 19 Jul 2021 04:30
URI: https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/55711

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