ORCID

Annamarie L. Thompson: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-1550-7616

Degree

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Major(s)

Biomedical Engineering

Document Type

Immediate Campus-Only Restricted Access

Abstract

Diabetic foot ulcers are a common complication experienced by diabetics, affecting approximately 25% of patients. Diabetes mellitus patients have been shown to have elevated levels of prevalent organochlorine pesticide metabolites. These metabolites can bind to a variety of receptors in the body to have unforeseen consequences. The pregnane x receptor (PXR) is a xenobiotic sensing receptor that regulates the expression of genes encoding drug-metabolizing enzymes, drug transporters, and cellular metabolism. Study of the PXR is useful for defining the effect of the receptor on pharmacokinetics, drug toxicity, and efficacy. However, the role of the PXR in wound healing remains largely unstudied. The present study was designed to define the role of the PXR in wound healing and to determine if sex differences in wound healing exist. Additionally, the PXR was investigated in macrophage function and metabolism of bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) given the critical role of macrophages in wound healing. Findings indicate sex-dependent effects of the PXR in wound healing as well as significant differences in analyte levels between male and female-derived BMDM. Differences in immunometabolism and PXR-dependence in wound healing between male and female mice may offer insights into sex-dependent inflammatory profiles and wound resolution rates, warranting further study into the causes and origins of these differences.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.54718/IOSH2814

Date Defended

4-22-2025

Funding Source

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences; Judy and Bobby Shackouls Honors College

Thesis Director

Dr. George Howell III

Second Committee Member

Dr. Matthew Ross

Third Committee Member

Dr. Holli Seitz

Comments

This project was funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences through grant #1R15ES035527-01 awarded to Dr. George Howell III. Additional funding was provided by a Shackouls Honors College Research Fellowship as well as a Provost Scholars Research Grant awarded to Annamarie L. Thompson.

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