2026 Undergraduate Research Showcase

Farnesol's Effect on Tight Junction Gene Expression in a Model of Gastrointestinal Inflammation

Document Type

Student Presentation

Presentation Date

4-24-2026

Faculty Sponsor

Dr. Javier Ochoa-Repáraz

Abstract

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a chronic condition characterized by intestinal inflammation, barrier dysfunction, and a disrupted gut microbiome. To study potential (IBD) treatments in a controlled setting, animal models are commonly used. The trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis model is widely used to study IBD, as intrarectal TNBS administration triggers rapid autoinflammation and severe colitis in mice within 2–3 days. Farnesol (FOL), a natural hydrophobic isoprenoid, is immunomodulatory and promotes gut microbiome health in other disease models. In addition, FOL is protective in other mouse IBD models through upregulation of tight junction protein (TJP) expression and modulation of the gut microbiome. We sought to test the effects of (FOL) on (TJP) expression in a different model of murine colitis and investigate the possible attenuation of colitis symptoms. Mice were treated with corn oil or farnesol and induced with TNBS colitis to analyze disease severity in response to farnesol or corn oil control. At the end of the experiment, colons were collected for quantitative PCR analysis of tight junction proteins. Preliminary results demonstrate (xyz). Ongoing qPCR analysis will reveal whether (FOL) can be used as a sole or supplementary treatment to reduce (IBD) symptoms.

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