Document Type

Honors Thesis

Publication Date

Spring 5-2016

Abstract

Influenza A Virus (IAV) causes over 21,000 deaths annually in the United States alone. The innate immune response to IAV includes the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) via NADPH oxidase. ROS are known to impact signaling pathways and cellular processes in order to eliminate IAV, but can cause permanent damage to lung epithelial cells in the process. One gene involved in the production of ROS is Neutrophil Cytosolic Factor 1 (ncf1), which codes for a subunit of NADPH oxidase. Mutations in ncf1 have been correlated with chronic granulomatous disease, chronic inflammation, and autoimmunity. Studying ncf1 in response to IAV infection could potentially lead to the discovery of novel therapies for viral disease.

Included in

Biology Commons

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