Graduation Year

2022

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

Ph.D.

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Degree Granting Department

Medical Sciences

Major Professor

Narasaiah Kolliputi, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Robert Deschenes, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Hana Totary-Jain, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Javier Cuevas, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Thomas Taylor-Clark, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Bala Chandran, Ph.D.

Keywords

Energy, Mitophagy, ARDS, Hyperoxia, Mitochondria

Abstract

Acute Lung Injury (ALI) is a set of signs and symptoms that lead to acute hypoxemic respiratory failure characterized by bilateral pulmonary infiltrates not attributed to cardiogenic origin. It is caused by a massive innate immune response, with the migration of white blood cells (neutrophils and macrophages principally) and a cytokine storm, followed by alterations in mitochondrial function, increase in reactive oxygen species production, and oxidative stress that in turn induces more mitochondrial damage. Several studies have shown that mitochondrial alterations are key events in the mechanism of ALI and reducing mitochondrial dysfunction could be a possible target in the treatment of the disease. Some investigators have determined that BMI1 has a role in mitochondrial function, but its role is unclear, and the metabolic pathway through which BMI1 regulates mitochondrial function and oxidative stress has not been established. This study shows that BMI1 plays a pivotal role in mitochondrial function during hyperoxia-induced ALI (HALI) in vitro and in vivo, and BMI1 silencing, or depletion induces mitophagy and reduces cell survival by blocking the PI3K pathway mediated by PTEN increases, decreasing the ability of lung cells to produce ATP and to consume oxygen, resulting in the use of glycolysis as an energy source. In vivo, the depletion of BMI1 decreases lung compliance, increases elastance, and induces deleterious lung damage in mice, leading to worsening of HALI. This research describes BMI1 as a possible therapeutic target in treating of ALI/ARDS.

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