Date of Award

Spring 5-15-2023

Author's School

Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Author's Department

Biology

Additional Affiliations

University College

Degree Name

Master of Arts (AM/MA)

Degree Type

Thesis

Abstract

Allergic rhinitis is one of the most common chronic illnesses in America, affecting more than 60 million people each year. Allergies develop when sensitization to an environmental allergen result in the production of antigen-specific IgE. Subsequent exposure to the allergen, detected by IgE, then binds to the surface of mast cells triggering the release of inflammatory mediators particularly histamine, which contribute to characteristic allergic symptoms of nasal itching, sneezing, and wheezing. Although fundamental mechanisms underlying allergy development have been previously characterized, recent research has implicated commensal bacteria residing in the respiratory tract in contributing to the development of allergic inflammation, yet the mechanisms by which these microbes affect the host is unknown. Through comparative genomic analysis of bacterial isolates from nasopharyngeal lavage samples, we found Haemophilus species are enriched in the airways of asthmatics compared to healthy controls. These Haemophilus strains encode for a putative histidine decarboxylase (HDC), which is known to convert histidine into histamine. In vitro testing reveals hdc expressing Haemophilus can produce histamine from histidine, as well as commonly encountered aeroallergens, such as pollen, mold, and dog/cat dander. I developed a mouse model to study the physiological response these hdc+ strains of Haemophilus exhibit to the host. These data show that histamine production by hdc+ airway bacteria can induce signs of rhinitis, including sneeze, demonstrating that airway commensals have the potential to induce non-IgE mediated rhinitis.

Language

English (en)

Chair and Committee

Andrew Kau, Internal Medicine

Committee Members

Ian Duncan, Drew Schwartz

Comments

N/A

Available for download on Thursday, April 16, 2026

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