Biobreeding diabetes-prone (BBDP) rats exhibit a severe T cell lymphopenia, which may be linked to cellular stress. Expression of GRP78, an ER stress regulatory protein, was examined in various T cell populations of BBDP and BioBreeding diabetes-resistant rats (BBDR). Flow cytometry analysis revealed increased ER stress in all mature populations of T cells examined from the BBDP rat, but not in the immature thymocytes. These results suggest that increased ER stress in BBDP rats may play a role in apoptotic signaling that leads to T cell lymphopenia.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Geddes, Jenna Elizabeth

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042507-000730

Advisor

• Adams, David S.

Year

• 2007

Sponsor

• UMass Medical School

Date created

• 2007-04-25

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biology & Biotechnology

Rights statement

• In Copyright