Inflammation is initiated by the innate immune system to remove harmful stimuli and heal infections. Multiprotein complexes, called inflammasomes, process inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1 beta and IL-18 and are essential for optimal host response. Infammasomes are typically comprised of one or more nod-like receptor (NLR), a pro-caspase protease, and an adaptor molecule. NLRP3 and NLRP12 are NLRs with specificities towards certain pathogens and vaccines; however, aspects of their activation remain unclear. To investigate a possible mode of assembly, we generated fluorescently tagged NLR pyrin domain-containing protein (NLRP) plasmids for transformation into cells. Expression of NLRP3 and NLRP12 inflammasome components was successfully observed by fluorescence microscopy.

• 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

• Kandimalla, Bhavya

Contributors

• Egil, Lien

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-110612-115451

Advisor

• Heilman, Destin

Year

• 2012

Sponsor

• University of Massachusetts Medical School

Date created

• 2012-11-06

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biology & Biotechnology

Rights statement

• In Copyright