Cryptococcosis, infection with a fungus in the Cryptococcus genus, usually neoformans, is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of immunocompromised individuals worldwide annually. We hypothesized that the type of polarization of lung macrophage cells that form during infection of a murine model will provide evidence for the mechanisms of protection against this pathogen. We used flow cytometric analyses to assay specific marker proteins on macrophage cells recruited to the mouse lung during infection with various virulent C. neoformans strains. The results identified a previously unobserved factor that helps determine whether the mouse succumbs to infection, and the project shifted to examine distinct eosinophil populations recruited by the murine strains that were most susceptible to Cryptococcus. This information will hopefully aid in the Levitz’s lab development of a vaccine against C. neoformans.

• 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

• Hester, Maureen Martha

Contributors

• Stuart Levitz

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042816-142259

Advisor

• Adams, David S.

Year

• 2016

Sponsor

• UMass Medical School

Date created

• 2016-04-28

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biology & Biotechnology

Rights statement

• In Copyright