Thesis
Role of SARM1 in Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy of Hypersensitive Axonal Cultures
University of Iowa
Bachelor of Science (BS), University of Iowa
Spring 2025
Abstract
Peripheral neuropathy is a degenerative condition consisting of damage to axons of the peripheral nervous system, resulting in loss of sensation and pain in the outer extremities. This is a common side effect of drugs like vincristine, a type of chemotherapy, but can also result from conditions relating to hypersensitivity of neurons, such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease. When this drug and disease are combined, it can have detrimental ramifications for the patient. We investigated the hypersensitivity of CMT-like mutant axon cultures, and attempted to inactivate the executive enzyme of the degeneration pathway, SARM1, to determine if degeneration would decrease. We quantified axon damage and death using axon degeneration scores as well as average calcium influx. We found that CMT-like axons were hypersensitive to degeneration after vincristine addition, especially the D81I YARS mutant. SARM1 inhibition has shown promising results in decreasing axon degeneration in axons also exposed to vincristine, but more research needs to be done to identify whether these results are statistically significant. Further understanding the biological pathway of axon degeneration and identifying a way to decrease the subsequent peripheral neuropathy through enzyme inhibition opens the door for pharmaceuticals to be made for patients going through chemotherapy treatment, and can especially help those with degenerative diseases such as CMT.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Role of SARM1 in Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy of Hypersensitive Axonal Cultures
- Creators
- Hand Avery Rose - University of Iowa
- Contributors
- Daniel Summers (Mentor) - University of IowaLori Adams (Advisor) - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Project Type
- Honors Thesis
- Degree Awarded
- Bachelor of Science (BS), University of Iowa
- Degree in
- Biology
- Date degree season
- Spring 2025
- Publisher
- University of Iowa
- Number of pages
- 24 pages
- Copyright
- Copyright © 2025 Avery R. Hand
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- CLAS Honors Theses
- Record Identifier
- 9984827338102771
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