Date of Award
Winter 2009
Project Type
Thesis
Program or Major
Animal Science
Degree Name
Master of Science
First Advisor
David H Townson
Abstract
In the current study, the possibility that cytokeratin 18 (CK18)---containing intermediate filaments (IFs) protect bovine luteal cells from FasL-induced apoptosis was explored. Bovine corpora lutea (CL) from early and late stages of the luteal phase were collected and prepared for cell culture. The cultures were exposed to culture medium without (control) or with 5mM acrylamide for 4 hr to disrupt CK18 IFs. Subsequently, the cultures were exposed to fresh medium without (control) or with FasL (50ng/mL) for 24 hr to induce apoptosis. Acrylamide disrupted CK18 IFs without affecting microtubules, progesterone secretion (P>0.05), or cell viability (P>0.05). Surface expression of Fas receptor was relatively high on luteal cells from early and late stage CL (84% and 61% of cells, respectively). Disruption of CK18 IFs did not enhance this (P>0.05), nor did it augment FasL-induced cell death (P>0.05). The results indicate CK18 IFs do not protect bovine luteal cells from FasL-induced apoptosis.
Recommended Citation
Duncan, Alice, "Disruption of cytokeratin 18-containing intermediate filaments in bovine luteal cells: Effects on Fas expression, progesterone secretion, and FasL-induced apoptosis" (2009). Master's Theses and Capstones. 526.
https://scholars.unh.edu/thesis/526