Date of Award
Spring 4-27-2026
Document Type
Honors Thesis
Department/Major
Biology
First Advisor
Victor Huber
Second Advisor
Daniel Bird
Third Advisor
Beate Wone
Keywords
macrophage, cytokine, phagocytosis, opsonophagocytosis, SRBC, S. mutans, uptake
Subject Categories
Medical Immunology | Oral Biology and Oral Pathology
Abstract
We are all exposed to numerous pathogens every day. One of the sites for pathogens to interact with our body is in the mouth. To better understand these interactions between bacteria and host immune cells, I developed an assay to study the oral bacteria Streptococcus mutans and inflammatory macrophages. Our hypothesis was that the cytokines IL-4 and IFN-y would alter macrophage phenotypes with IL-4 reducing inflammatory responses and IFN-y increasing inflammation. To test this, we performed experiments in cell culture as a first step toward understanding the severity of the host response at the cellular and molecular levels. Our results indicate that macrophage phenotypes are indeed affected, particularly within 1-24 hours after inoculation. Additional experiments are necessary to further understand our results and draw more comprehensive conclusions.
Recommended Citation
Wintz, Isabelle K., "Contribution of the M1 vs M2 Phenotype Toward Macrophage Interactions With Streptococcus mutans, the Dominant Bacteria in the Oral Cavity" (2026). Honors Thesis. 417.
https://red.library.usd.edu/honors-thesis/417