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Retinoids and their Clinical Benefits to Treating Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma
Get PDFCutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (CTCL) is a deadly form on non-Hodgkin lymphoma that primarily affects the skin. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma means that the lymphoma does not have the presence of Reed-Sternberg lymphocytes. A lymphoma, also known as lymphatic cancer, affects the lymphoid tissues, which plays a major role in the immune system. Lymphoid organs include the lymph nodes, thymus, spleen, and bone marrow. Lymphatic fluid, also known as lymph, travels through the bloodstream to transport lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, to and from lymphatic organs. Due to a high concentration of lymphocytes in the skin, lymphoma primarily affects cutaneous areas.
There are many classifications and presentations of CTCL. The most common form is mycosis fungoides. Mycosis fungoides is presented as pink itchy rash made up of rapidly dividing T-cells that have made their way from to blood into the skin. These cells target the skin due to their expression of the skin-homing receptor cutaneous lymphoid antigen. These are primarily CD4+ memory T cells. CD4+ memory T cells are a form of helper T cell, which are tasked with marking foreign cells for later destruction by CD8+ cells, also known as cytotoxic, or “killer” T cells. Currently there is very little understanding of the disease etiology or origin.
There is currently one FDA approved retinoid for CTCL treatment, Bexarotene (Targretin®). Bexarotene is among vitamin A derivatives that affect many processes. These include but are not limited to cellular differentiation, apoptosis, and proliferation. Retinoids operate by binding to retinoic acid receptors (RAR) and retinoid X receptors (RXR). Among these RAR and RXR receptors are three subtypes of each (-α, -β, and -γ). Ligand activation of these subtypes typically result in the dissociation of corepressors that control proliferation and differentiation. In simpler terms, binding of ligands to these receptor proteins will induce cellular reproduction and specialization. Unfortunately, Bexarotene has been found to cause serious side effects such as hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, and hypothyroidism. These side effects can be found in roughly one-in-five users, and it has a particularly high prevalence in African American males. Hyperlipidemia results in a higher concentration on lipids in the blood, which can result in the restriction of blood flow. Hypercholesterolemia is an excess in blood cholesterol, excluding triglycerides, which can lead to heart disease. Hypothyroidism is the underactivity of the thyroid gland, which produces thyroid hormone. Imbalance in thyroid hormone can result in abnormal heart rate, body temperature, and metabolism.
Understanding the molecular function of retinoids and how they affect CTCL will be beneficial in future attempts to synthesize drugs with a higher specificity, hopefully eliminated the metabolic side effects that affect its patients.
Retinoids have long been used as an anti-infective agent, and it is known from previous research that non-malignant T-cells use retinoid binding to induce the differentiation into mucosa-associated lymphoid tissues (MALT). It is also known that exposure to Bexarotene induced the expression of integrin protein β7 and the chemokine receptor CCR9. These proteins facilitate lymphocyte homing to the digestive tract. It is possible that exposure to Bexarotene can “trick” a cancerous cell into “thinking” that is belongs in the digestive tract. A gut lymphocyte found in the skin would likely not be able to survive its environment, making it a plausible cause for apoptosis and CTCL treatment. The goal of this project is to determine if retinoids cause a level of cellular differentiation by determine the expression of two known T cell transcription factors (FOXP3 and ROR-γ) within CTCL lines.
In this experiment, experiments were run to collect data to determine: baseline levels of FOXP3 in human CTCL cells vs. healthy cells, rates of cell death when treated with different isoforms of RXRs and RARs at varying concentrations, the degree to which cells can recover after retinoids have been removed from the media, synergism when treated with pairs of different isoforms, and baseline levels of FOXP compared to ROR-γ and T-Bet in human CTCL lines
Ouachita\u27s Elrod Center hosts 53rd Tiger Serve Day
Get PDFOuachita Baptist University’s Ben M. Elrod Center for Family & Community held its 53rd Tiger Serve Day on Saturday, Sept. 23. More than 800 Ouachita students, faculty and staff completed 83 projects at area homes, non-profits, churches and designated trash pickup sites across Arkadelphia and DeGray Lake.
“Tiger Serve Day is a wonderful opportunity for our campus to connect with the community and love them well,” said Duvall. “I am so proud to be part of a university that places such a huge value on service.”
Volunteers gathered at 8:30 a.m. at the Elrod Center to prepare for the day of service
Maryann Kyle in a Guest Artist Recital
Get PDFThis is the program for the guest artist recital featuring soprano Maryann Kyle. Pianist Mary Chung assisted the performance. This recital took place on March 2, 2023, in the W. Francis McBeth Recital Hall
OBU Percussion Ensemble Concert with Guest Artist Dr. Caitlin Jones
Get PDFThis is the poster for the OBU percussion ensemble and guest artist concert. Guest artist Dr. Caitlin Jones performed on April 13, 2023, in the McBeth Recital Hall. Dr. Ryan Lewis directed the Percussion Ensemble
5 tips to make acquiring career experience less overwhelming
Get PDFWhether you are a senior in high school or about to graduate from college, it is never a bad idea to gain job experience. Most professional careers require employees to have some – if not significant – experience in their chosen field in order to be hired.
What are you waiting for? The thought of doing something new might be intimidating, but if you think about it: everyone had to start somewhere! Here are five ways to gain experience, get your foot in the door and prepare for your future career
Tiger Tunes 2023
Get PDFThe 45th Annual Tiger Tunes Program and Posterhttps://scholarlycommons.obu.edu/tunes/1055/thumbnail.jp
Ouachita student media honored among the best locally, nationally
Get PDFOuachita Baptist University student media have earned 82 awards for excellence, including seven national and 38 state awards for the Ouachitonian yearbook and 37 state awards for the Signal newspaper, Ouachita Sports Digital Network, online media, and television coverage.
The 2022 Ouachitonian was honored with a Pacemaker Award from the Associated Collegiate Press. Announced in March during the ACP National College Media Conference in San Francisco, the Pacemaker is one of the oldest nationwide awards for college journalism. Additionally, the Ouachitonian was awarded the All-American distinction in the ACP’s annual critique service of student publications. Marks of Distinction were earned in the categories of Writing and Editing, Essentials, Coverage, and Design
Government in Arkansas, 11th edition
Get PDFThe signature publication of the League of Women Voters of Arkansas, Government in Arkansas explains the structure and functions of Arkansas government. Among its 10 chapters are overviews of Arkansas’ constitution, branches of government, institutions of political influence, elections, and noteworthy issues. A brief comparative analysis of Arkansas and other states concludes each chapter. Background information on the state’s political history and women’s suffrage movement is also provided.https://scholarlycommons.obu.edu/mono/1035/thumbnail.jp
Are We Good or Bad or Somewhere in Between: An Original Novel
Get PDFThis is the flyer for Faith Lymburner\u27s Honors Colloquium
Ouachita students win multiple awards at Midwest Model United Nations conference
Get PDFSeven students from Ouachita Baptist University’s Department of Political Science participated in the Midwest Model United Nations, held Feb. 22-25 in St. Louis, Mo. Each received recognition for excellence.
Ouachita’s delegates were Caroline Derby, a senior communications & media/multimedia and political science double major from Arkadelphia, Ark.; Katie Henry, a junior political science and history double major from Little Rock, Ark.; Elise Hicks, a senior political science major from Benton, Ark.; Noah Sanders, a senior Christian studies/biblical studies & theology and political science double major from Little Rock, Ark.; Sarah Spakes, a senior political science and public history double major from Benton, Ark.; Kathryn Totty, a senior political science and media/strategic communications major from Camden, Ark.; and Emilee Webb, a junior English and political science double major from Leola, Ark