Effects of Nicotine on Exosome Biogenesis

Undergraduate #59
Discipline: Biological Sciences
Subcategory: Cell and Molecular Biology

Jayde S. Price - Alabama State University
Co-Author(s): Aliyah J. Curry and Qiana L. Matthews, Alabama State University, AL

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Exosomes are extracellular vesicles that act as biomarkers of certain diseased states. Specific characteristics of these extracellular vesicles have been found to be elevated in particular diseased states including malaria, various cancers, and autoimmune diseases. Our objective is to measure the effects of nicotine on exosome biogenesis in liver cells. We hypothesize that nicotine administration will affect exosome biogenesis. Our findings will provide additional information related to how nicotine usage affects cellular mechanisms in the human body. The liver cell lines, were either treated with varying concentrations of nicotine or untreated (control). Exosomes were purified from the media via high speed ultracentrifugation or commercial kits. Exosome protein quantity was determined by standard quantitation method. Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and Western blot analysis was used to detect specific antibodies in the exosomes. Lastly, NanoSight technology was used to analyze the specific characteristics of the exosomes including size and concentration. Our findings indicate that the size and concentration of exosomes produced were directly related to nicotine dosages. Overall, these results strengthen the stigma that nicotine negatively affects the human body and that exosomes act as a strong precursor to particular diseased states. Future research involves analyzing the effects of nicotine on exosome biogenesis in various cell lines including lung and skin.

Funder Acknowledgement(s): This work was supported by the US Dept. of Education, The Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program (MSEIP) (P120A150008) awarded to Komal Vig (PD) and by NSFCREST (HRD-1241701) awarded to Shree S. Singh (PI) as well as the Gorgas Memorial Research Foundation research grant awarded to Qiana L. Matthews (PI).

Faculty Advisor: Qiana Matthews, qmatthews@alasu.edu

Role: I performed the purification and quantitation of the exosomes, as well as Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and Western blot to detect specific antibodies in the exosomes. I also utilized NanoSight technology to analyze the specific characteristics of the exosomes including size and concentration. I administered the nicotine to the exosomes and recorded the results.