Project description:Dry eye is a common ocular inflammatory disorder characterized by tear film instability and reduced tear production. There is increasing evidence that homeostasis of the ocular surface is impacted by the intestinal microbiome. We are interested in investigating the potential role of microbially produced small molecules in mediating the interaction between the intestinal microbiota and the ocular surface. One such molecule is butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) produced by certain members of the gut microbiota through fermentation of dietary fiber. We have shown that oral administration of tributyrin, a prodrug form of butyrate, is protective of the ocular surface in mice undergoing desiccating stress. To gain insight into the mechanism, we analyzed gene expression in conjunctival tissue from mice treated with either tributyrgn or vehicle control.
Project description:The ocular surface is colonized by commensal microbiota, which tune the local mucosal immune response. However, the mechanisms underlying the induction of an IL-17 response by γδ T cells in response to ocular commensal bacteria, particularly Corynebacterium mastitidis (C. mast), have not been fully investigated. Here, we demonstrated that intrinsic TLR2 activation in γδ T cells by commensal microbiota is required for their IL-17A production and fatty acid oxidation. We also identified IκBζ, a transcription factor whose expression is upregulated by TLR2 signaling, as a key regulator to enhance the expression of genes responsible for IL-17A production and FAO program. This study highlights the role of TLR2-mediated transcriptional regulation in targeting effector cytokines and metabolic programs to support IL-17A responses to commensal bacteria.
Project description:The ocular surface is colonized by commensal microbiota, which tune the local mucosal immune response. However, the mechanisms underlying the induction of an IL-17 response by γδ T cells in response to ocular commensal bacteria, particularly Corynebacterium mastitidis (C. mast), have not been fully investigated. Here, we demonstrated that intrinsic TLR2 activation in γδ T cells by commensal microbiota is required for their IL-17A production and fatty acid oxidation. We also identified IκBζ, a transcription factor whose expression is upregulated by TLR2 signaling, as a key regulator to enhance the expression of genes responsible for IL-17A production and FAO program. This study highlights the role of TLR2-mediated transcriptional regulation in targeting effector cytokines and metabolic programs to support IL-17A responses to commensal bacteria.
Project description:We have characterized miRNAs associated with equine seminal exosomes, and identified seminal exosomes eca-mir-128 to be specifically downregulated during equine arteritis virus long-term persistent infection in the reproductive tract of the stallion
Project description:Identify differentially expressed microRNAs in mild and severe equine distal interphalangeal joint osteoarthritis plasma and synovial fluid samples Determine the effects of selected osteoarthritis-related miRNAs on equine chondrocytes in monolayer culture through the application of miRNA agomirs and antagomirs
