Scholarship & Research
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Item The role of T200 (CD45) in leukocyte activation and effector cell function(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 1987) Taffs, Rolf EdmundItem Analysis of human host defense mechanisms against the opportunistic pathogen, Candida albicans, using in vitro model systems(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 1999) Edens, Heather AmyItem Modulation of the plasma membrane domain structure of human neutrophils(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2006) Stie, Jamal Talal; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Algirdas J. JesaitisEukaryotic cell plasma membranes form an interface between cells and their environment and function to detect and interpret environmental cues. The work described in this dissertation examines the changes that occur in membrane structure during plasma membrane function in human neutrophils and a fungal opportunist. The body of this work examines how circulating neutrophils can remain functionally inactive in the presence of perturbing influences inherent in the blood circulation, and yet rapidly activate upon exposure to proinflammatory agents. It is hypothesized that the regulated modulation of plasma membrane domain structure determines the activation of blood-leukocytes, in vivo. Experimentation is based the isolation of blood-neutrophils in either nonactivated or activated (primed) cellular states using dextran- or gelatin-based preparative methods, respectively. Analysis of plasma membrane cortical components actin, fodrin, ezrin, CD45 and CD43 by sucrose density sedimentation, flow cytometry and indirect immunofluorescence microscopy indicated significant differences in the plasma membrane structure of both neutrophil populations. In nonactivated neutrophils, cortical actin and fodrin were cytosolic, thus indicating the absence of cortical structure in this population.