STRESSFUL TRIGGER IN VITRO MAY INDUCE DIFFERENTIAL NUP PROTEIN EXPRESSION IN PBMCS FROM THE GWI PATIENTS COMPARED TO THE HEALTHY CONTROLS

POSTER PRESENTATIONS

Objective. This study was conducted to determine if stress induces differential nucleoporins (Nups) protein expression in human peripheral blood mononucleotide cells (PBMC) isolated and cultured from Gulf War Illness (GWI) patients compared to the healthy controls (HC). Background. GWI is a debilitating chronic disorder that has occurred among veterans returning from the 1991 Persian GW. A combination of environmental factors and genetic predisposition of the individual are the prerequisites to allow the disease progression. Preliminary data indicated that metabolic pathways in GWI differ significantly from the healthy control (HC) group. Most of these pathways are related to the differences in the expression levels of nucleoporins (Nups), that are a part of the nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) trafficking in the transportation of nucleocytoplasmic exchange in PBMCs. Methods. For this study, the PBMCs were isolated and cultured from the GWI patients and matched HC and a measurable trigger in vitro (Dexamethasone) was used as stress model. These cells were disrupted and whole protein lysate was isolated. Western blot technique was used to measure Nup protein expression in these cells using the commercially available primary antibodies specific for Nups. Results. Difference in the expression of Nups in response to stress challenge in GWI patients and HC were observed. Conclusion. Stress induces significant change in the expression of Nups proteins in GWI compared to the Healthy controls. Grants. This study was funded by DoD FY14 GWIRP New Investigator Award, GW140077.