University of Louisville
Investigating the role of Nlaz/hApoD in lipid transport and stem cell homeostasis in the Drosophila testis niche
Grade Level at Time of Presentation
Junior
Major
Neuroscience, Spanish
Institution 24-25
University of Louisville
KY House District #
3
KY Senate District #
7
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Dr. Rafael S. Demarco
Department
Dept. of Biology
Abstract
Adult stem cells are present in many tissues and organs and are responsible for the constant generation of specialized functional cells. Over the years, many mechanisms have been shown to control stem cell behavior (i.e., proliferation, maintenance, differentiation, etc).
Recently, lipid metabolism was also shown to influence stem cell behavior. Recent studies from our lab showed that lipid imbalance negatively impacted germline stem cells (GSC) using the Drosophila testis as a model. When fatty acids accumulated, stem cells exited their microenvironment (i.e., the niche) and differentiated. Interestingly, impairing lipid metabolism in GSCs also caused lipid accumulation in niche support cells, suggesting that lipids can be exchanged between stem and niche cells. The precise mechanisms that mediate this lipid balance under homeostatic conditions remains unknown.
We hypothesize that lipid transport across cells within the GSC niche is important for lipid homeostasis and stem cell maintenance. One aspect worth exploring is the role of apolipoproteins, which facilitate lipid transfer between different cell types. This project aims to investigate the role of Neural lazarillo (Nlaz), the Drosophila homologue of human ApoD, in niche cell maintenance and homeostasis. Preliminary data suggest that, upon Nlaz depletion in hub support cells, both stem and hub cells were lost. We are currently attempting to identify through which mechanism(s) Nlaz acts to maintain homeostasis in the stem cell niche. Additionally, sustained overexpression of Nlaz in the hub will investigate its role in niche cell maintenance and function.
Given the high degree of conservation between Nlaz and hApoD, as well as the stem cell system present in flies and humans, understanding how lipids are controlled in stem cell niches could reveal novel targets for regenerative medicine in the future
Investigating the role of Nlaz/hApoD in lipid transport and stem cell homeostasis in the Drosophila testis niche
Adult stem cells are present in many tissues and organs and are responsible for the constant generation of specialized functional cells. Over the years, many mechanisms have been shown to control stem cell behavior (i.e., proliferation, maintenance, differentiation, etc).
Recently, lipid metabolism was also shown to influence stem cell behavior. Recent studies from our lab showed that lipid imbalance negatively impacted germline stem cells (GSC) using the Drosophila testis as a model. When fatty acids accumulated, stem cells exited their microenvironment (i.e., the niche) and differentiated. Interestingly, impairing lipid metabolism in GSCs also caused lipid accumulation in niche support cells, suggesting that lipids can be exchanged between stem and niche cells. The precise mechanisms that mediate this lipid balance under homeostatic conditions remains unknown.
We hypothesize that lipid transport across cells within the GSC niche is important for lipid homeostasis and stem cell maintenance. One aspect worth exploring is the role of apolipoproteins, which facilitate lipid transfer between different cell types. This project aims to investigate the role of Neural lazarillo (Nlaz), the Drosophila homologue of human ApoD, in niche cell maintenance and homeostasis. Preliminary data suggest that, upon Nlaz depletion in hub support cells, both stem and hub cells were lost. We are currently attempting to identify through which mechanism(s) Nlaz acts to maintain homeostasis in the stem cell niche. Additionally, sustained overexpression of Nlaz in the hub will investigate its role in niche cell maintenance and function.
Given the high degree of conservation between Nlaz and hApoD, as well as the stem cell system present in flies and humans, understanding how lipids are controlled in stem cell niches could reveal novel targets for regenerative medicine in the future