Item – Theses Canada

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OCLC number
768532234
Link(s) to full text
LAC copy
LAC copy
Author
Moolani, Yasmin,1982-
Title
The role of costimulation in the persistence of the immune response in Kawasaki disease.
Degree
M. Sc. -- University of Toronto, 2009
Publisher
Ottawa : Library and Archives Canada = Bibliothèque et Archives Canada, [2010]
Description
2 microfiches
Notes
Includes bibliographical references.
Abstract
<?Pub Inc> Superantigens (SAgs) are implicated in the initiation of many diseases, including Kawasaki disease (KD), a multi-system vasculitis that leads to persistent inflammation and damage of coronary arteries. T cells are central to the pathogenesis of SAg-mediated diseases. 'Lactobacillus casei' cell wall extract (LCWE) induces a disease in mice that resembles human KD, and contains a novel SAg. Despite the fact that SAg-activated T cells undergo apoptosis, they persist and are necessary for coronary inflammation in this model of KD. We report rescue from apoptosis of SAg-stimulated T cells ' in vitro' by costimulation through CD28 or 4-1BB. CD28- or 4-1BB-mediated signaling stimulated concurrently with SAg upregulated the anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-XL. 'In vivo', co-injection of LCWE and a 4-1BB agonist aggravated coronary disease. These findings suggest that costimulation of T cells affects extent of illness in this model of KD, and supports targeting costimulation as a therapeutic intervention in SAg-triggered diseases.
ISBN
9780494594179
0494594179