Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

5-1-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

First Advisor

Subhash C. Chauhan

Second Advisor

Yonghong Zhang

Third Advisor

Nirakar Sahoo

Abstract

Mucin 13 (MUC13) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that is frequently overexpressed in epithelial cancers. Its extracellular domains and cytoplasmic signaling potential contribute to disrupted cell adhesion, increased invasion, and cancer-promoting pathways, making MUC13 a promising target for immunotherapy. This project used an in-silico approach to identify MUC13-derived peptides predicted to bind HLA class I molecules and support CD8+ T cell-mediated immune responses. Bioinformatics tools were used to screen candidate epitopes for HLA binding affinity, antigenicity, toxicity, IFN-γ-inducing potential, and population coverage, allowing rational prioritization of peptide candidates for experimentation. Selected peptides were evaluated in THP-1-derived macrophages using RT-PCR, Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and imaging to assess immune activation. The data-driven approach through the utilization of databases to reduce significant options is critical in identifying only a select few promising candidates for the proposed protein vaccine. This work aims to advance cancer immunotherapy by offering a targeted approach to treat liver and pancreatic cancers to ultimately contribute to more effective and personalized therapies.

Comments

Copyright 2026 Abigail Olivia Gomez. All Rights Reserved. https://proquest.com/docview/3371128863

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