Kiera Sheth
Legacy Magnet AcademyClass of 2025Tustin, California
About
Hello, my name is Kiera Ananya Sheth. My project is a review article on the immune cell mediators and targeted treatments for IBD. I have an interest on understanding the causation of various illness or sickness, specifically auto-immune conditions. IBD in particular is a very fascinating auto-immune diseases, as the two diseases Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis have several similar characteristics/symptoms, but yet differentiate in other ways. My personal goal for this project was to gain more insight on the foundational basics of how auto-immune conditions such as IBD are caused and how they are being addressed to induce remission.Projects
- "What are the primary immune cell mediators that cause or trigger IBD symptoms and how are these being used for targeted IBD therapy?" with mentor Miranda (Nov. 12, 2022)
Project Portfolio
What are the primary immune cell mediators that cause or trigger IBD symptoms and how are these being used for targeted IBD therapy?
Started May 18, 2022
Abstract or project description
Though considered a rare disease, many adults in the United States are diagnosed with some form of Irritable Bowel Disease, also known as IBD. IBD refers to autoimmune inflammation localized in the gastrointestinal tract and can include the esophagus, intestines, and colon. IBD patients commonly experience stomach pains, loose stools, frequent bathroom usage, weight loss, and anemia. The symptoms are linked to inflammation caused by the immune system. The definite cause or causes of IBD is very vague, but the pathology of the disease can be traced to its immunology. The rapid rise of inflammation in IBD is based upon an overactive immune system, in which immune cells falsely trigger defensive immune cell mediators. Such immune cell mediators can be used to understand and develop possible targets for IBD treatments. The aim of this review paper is to explore the immunology background that is linked to the cause of IBD. This paper will seek to describe the immune cells and molecules that differentiate that link the different forms of IBD together. Further, I will explain the various forms of treatment that are currently being explored to target the immune system. The overall goal for the review article is to describe how the immune system is causing the symptoms of IBD in a manner that is understandable to the general audience.