Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Abstract
Approximately 1.6 million Americans currently have Crohn’s Disease (CD), a condition that affects the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, particularly the small intestine, leading to chronic inflammation, abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, and fatigue. Although treatments exist, misdiagnosis remains a challenge due to symptom overlap with other inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Previous studies have shown an increase in Human Alpha Defensin (HD5) in Crohn’s Colitis, resulting in slower wound healing closure, increased apoptosis, and potential effects regarding alpha-actin expression. However, its effects in the small intestine remain unclear. Alpha-actin is a cytoskeletal protein that maintains cellular structure through cell migration, tissue remodeling, and immune regulation. When Alpha-actin is dysfunctional or reduced in number, cellular integrity is weakened, allowing immune cells to infiltrate and drive chronic inflammation. This study aims to determine whether HD5 impacts Alpha-actin expression in the small intestine, potentially impairing wound healing and promoting inflammation. To test this, IEC-6 cells were treated with varying concentrations of HD5 to measure wound healing rates, and Alpha-actin transcript levels were analyzed using qPCR, with protein expression assessed with a Western blot. Preliminary results are inconclusive due to rapid wound closure but show potential trends of HD5 modulating wound healing efficiency and alpha-actin expression in IEC-6 cells. Further analysis is ongoing to determine the extent of HD5’s effect on alpha-actin in small intestinal inflammation. If inflammation is not addressed, CD symptoms will persist. Understanding the relationship between HD5 and Alpha-actin could help identify new therapeutic targets to improve patient outcomes.
Faculty Mentor
Dr. Amanda Williams
Recommended Citation
Tran, Carolyn; Abdelnour, Sohir; Lawson, Joyce; and Puscas, Ellis, "Elucidating the Effects of HD5 on ACTC1 Expression in Crohn's Disease" (2025). Student Scholar Symposium. 64.
https://digitalcollections.lipscomb.edu/student_scholars_symposium/2025/Full_schedule/64
Included in
Elucidating the Effects of HD5 on ACTC1 Expression in Crohn's Disease
Approximately 1.6 million Americans currently have Crohn’s Disease (CD), a condition that affects the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, particularly the small intestine, leading to chronic inflammation, abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, and fatigue. Although treatments exist, misdiagnosis remains a challenge due to symptom overlap with other inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Previous studies have shown an increase in Human Alpha Defensin (HD5) in Crohn’s Colitis, resulting in slower wound healing closure, increased apoptosis, and potential effects regarding alpha-actin expression. However, its effects in the small intestine remain unclear. Alpha-actin is a cytoskeletal protein that maintains cellular structure through cell migration, tissue remodeling, and immune regulation. When Alpha-actin is dysfunctional or reduced in number, cellular integrity is weakened, allowing immune cells to infiltrate and drive chronic inflammation. This study aims to determine whether HD5 impacts Alpha-actin expression in the small intestine, potentially impairing wound healing and promoting inflammation. To test this, IEC-6 cells were treated with varying concentrations of HD5 to measure wound healing rates, and Alpha-actin transcript levels were analyzed using qPCR, with protein expression assessed with a Western blot. Preliminary results are inconclusive due to rapid wound closure but show potential trends of HD5 modulating wound healing efficiency and alpha-actin expression in IEC-6 cells. Further analysis is ongoing to determine the extent of HD5’s effect on alpha-actin in small intestinal inflammation. If inflammation is not addressed, CD symptoms will persist. Understanding the relationship between HD5 and Alpha-actin could help identify new therapeutic targets to improve patient outcomes.