Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks healthy tissue. IBD can occur in both adults and children, describing Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and Crohn’s Colitis (CC). Our lab studies human alpha defensin 5 (HD5), an antimicrobial peptide that normally maintains small intestinal sterility. However, in CC patients, HD5 is overexpressed in the colon. Preliminary data suggests that HD5 increases colonic cell death. This project aims to determine if HD5 induces apoptosis and its mechanisms. To this end, we will test if the suppression of caspase enzymes with a pan-caspase inhibitor reduces cell death triggered by HD5. We will use the XTT assay to assess cell viability and Western blotting to detect caspase activation, avoiding autofluorescence issues that were encountered before. These methods will allow us to verify if HD5 triggers cellular death via caspase-dependent apoptotic pathways and which are affected. We expect that cellular apoptosis will be reduced upon treatment with both HD5 and the caspase inhibitor, and we hope to prove by Western blotting which caspases are activated by HD5. These findings will clarify HD5’s role in CC and its apoptotic effects on colonic epithelial cells. By using non-fluorescent techniques, we aim to eliminate some of the limitations seen in earlier studies and clarify the effects of HD5 in more detail. The results will provide new insights into the impact of HD5 on gastrointestinal health and inform future approaches to treating inflammatory bowel disease.
Faculty Mentor
Amanda D. Williams
Recommended Citation
Gerges, Maryam M. and Williams, Amanda D., "Understanding the role of HD5 in Colonic Epithelial Cell Death" (2025). Student Scholar Symposium. 89.
https://digitalcollections.lipscomb.edu/student_scholars_symposium/2025/Full_schedule/89
Included in
Understanding the role of HD5 in Colonic Epithelial Cell Death
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks healthy tissue. IBD can occur in both adults and children, describing Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and Crohn’s Colitis (CC). Our lab studies human alpha defensin 5 (HD5), an antimicrobial peptide that normally maintains small intestinal sterility. However, in CC patients, HD5 is overexpressed in the colon. Preliminary data suggests that HD5 increases colonic cell death. This project aims to determine if HD5 induces apoptosis and its mechanisms. To this end, we will test if the suppression of caspase enzymes with a pan-caspase inhibitor reduces cell death triggered by HD5. We will use the XTT assay to assess cell viability and Western blotting to detect caspase activation, avoiding autofluorescence issues that were encountered before. These methods will allow us to verify if HD5 triggers cellular death via caspase-dependent apoptotic pathways and which are affected. We expect that cellular apoptosis will be reduced upon treatment with both HD5 and the caspase inhibitor, and we hope to prove by Western blotting which caspases are activated by HD5. These findings will clarify HD5’s role in CC and its apoptotic effects on colonic epithelial cells. By using non-fluorescent techniques, we aim to eliminate some of the limitations seen in earlier studies and clarify the effects of HD5 in more detail. The results will provide new insights into the impact of HD5 on gastrointestinal health and inform future approaches to treating inflammatory bowel disease.