Date of Award

2008

Type

Thesis

Major

Biology

Department

Biology

First Advisor

Kathleen Sellers

Abstract

This experiment tested the effect of thyroid hormones, T3 or T4, on angiotensin II type 1 receptor mRNA levels in human embryonic kidney cells (HEK). Maternal preeclampsia is a prediction of higher ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) in the exposed offspring. The mother's blood pressure affects the blood pressure of the fetus since the placenta mediates blood flow. Thyroid hormone can increase production of angiotensinogen, which is a part of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). RAS regulates blood pressure. Hypothesis: HEK 293 cells treated with T3 and T4 will have more angiotensin II type I receptors than those not treated with T3 and T4. Those HEK 293 cells treated with thyroid hormones along with angiotensin I will have even more angiotensin II type I receptors than those just treated with thyroid hormones. The HEK293 cells were treated with Ts+Ang I, T3, Ang I, T4+Ang I, T4, and PBS (control). After the treated cells were collected of all three trials RNA was isolated and quantified. After RNA quantification was performed using a spectrophotometer, RT-PCR and a gel electrophoresis were completed. A one-way ANOVA and LSD Post-HOC test were run using SPSS software for statistical analysis. Angiotensin I led to an increase in mRNA levels of ATIR, which causes vasoconstriction and therefore higher blood pressure. This increase in ATIR mRNA levels is attenuated when T3 is added.

Comments

Honors Thesis

Included in

Biology Commons

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