Abstracts

Engagement of programmed cell death by nucleic acid sensing

by Michelle Renee Brault




Institution: University of Washington
Department:
Year: 2018
Keywords: Cell Death; Innate Immunity; Necroptosis; Nucleic acid sensing; Cellular biology; Immunology; Molecular and cellular biology
Posted: 02/01/2018
Record ID: 2219045
Full text PDF: http://hdl.handle.net/1773/40938


Abstract

During infection, the sensing of foreign nucleic acids inside an infected cell is often the first line of immunological defense. When DNA or RNA is sensed, one outcome is the production of anti-viral signaling molecules such as type I interferons. Additionally, cells can undergo programmed cell death. Here we describe the mechanism of induction of the programmed cell death pathway, necroptosis, following detection of cytosolic DNA or RNA. Necroptosis is a lytic and proinflammatory form of cell death, that can eliminate infected cells and alert and instruct the immune system. We show that following sensing of foreign nucleic acids, induction of necroptosis relies on the production of both anti-viral interferon, as well pro-inflammatory molecule, tumor necrosis factor.Advisors/Committee Members: Oberst, Andrew (advisor), Stetson, Daniel B (advisor).