On Wednesday 13 November at 13:00, Angela Herengt defends her PhD dissertation entitled "Study on the molecular anti-viral mechanism of 4-octyl itaconate (4-OI) via its induction of the Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-Related Factor 2 (NRF2) in keratinocyte cell line infected with Herpes Simplex Virus 1".

In 2018, researchers discovered that a chemical compound called 4-octyl itaconate (4-OI) can trigger an antiviral response in cells without relying on the body’s typical immune response. This finding raised questions about how exactly 4-OI works at a molecular level, leading to a PhD project aimed at uncovering its mechanism.

Initially, it was believed that 4-OI acted by activating a protein known as NRF2, which plays a role in regulating genes linked to the body's defense systems. The research involved testing various potential targets to see if they contributed to the antiviral effects of 4-OI on skin cells infected with the herpes simplex virus (HSV1). However, these tests did not reveal significant roles for those targets.

Despite this uncertainty, interest in 4-OI has surged in recent years, with numerous studies highlighting its diverse actions. Interestingly, some recent findings suggest that the antiviral effects of 4-OI may not depend on NRF2.

The summary is written by the PhD student.

The defence is public and takes place in building 1252-310, Jeppe Vontillius Auditorium, Aarhus University. Please see the press release for more information. 

Contact

PhD student Angela Herengt
Mail: angelaherengt@gmail.com  
Phone: 91942812

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