Date on Master's Thesis/Doctoral Dissertation
12-2022
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Degree Name
M.S.
Department
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Degree Program
Pharmacology and Toxicology, MS
Committee Chair
Ceresa, Brian
Committee Co-Chair (if applicable)
Siskind, Leah
Committee Member
Siskind, Leah
Committee Member
Clark, Geoffrey
Committee Member
Petruska, Jeffrey
Committee Member
Scott, Patrick
Author's Keywords
c-Met; HGF; cornea; wound healing; Cbl
Abstract
Vision is often regarded as the primary sense of humans. The cornea is the main refractive tissue that permits light through to the retina, allowing a clear image. When the cornea sustains damage, it opens a pathway for infection and blindness through fibrotic processes. Healing the corneal tissue is critical for vision restoration and pain alleviation. Growth factors and their cognate receptors are currently under investigation as tools to restore proper corneal physiology. We hypothesize that manipulating the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/ c-Met signaling pathway is one route to promote quality corneal healing. This thesis investigates the signaling, trafficking, and degradation pathway of c-Met following HGF stimulation in corneal epithelial cells. Results indicate that regulating the Cbl proteins, E3 ligases that tag c-Met for degradation, can extend receptor signaling and accelerate re-epithelialization.
Recommended Citation
Tarvestad, Kate, "HGF-mediated c-met signaling in human corneal epithelial cells." (2022). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 4019.
https://doi.org/10.18297/etd/4019
