UTMB Department of Pathology

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Viral Immunology

The primary focus of my laboratory is investigating the activation, effector function, and regulation of antigen-specific B and T lymphocytes in the female genital tract, sensory ganglia, and central nervous systems. We are currently using genital infection of mice with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) as a model system to examine these immune parameters in genital and neuronal tissue. Using vaccination with attenuated strains of HSV-2 as a paradigm for an effective herpes virus vaccine, we are also identifying correlates of immune protection of the genital tract and peripheral nervous system against HSV-2 infection. Specifically, we are using genetically modified HSV-2 strains and transgenic mouse lines to identify immune mechanisms at the molecular level that are involved in clearing HSV-2 from the genital mucosa and that protect the sensory ganglia against the establishment of latent HSV-2 infection. These studies are important not only in terms of understanding the types of immune mechanisms that should be elicited by effective vaccines, but also the mechanisms of immunity that may be utilized in therapeutic regimens to decrease disease severity. In vaccine-related studies, we are examining the homing and maintenance of antigen-specific memory CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes and HSV-specific plasma cells within the genital mucosa and sensory ganglia. The results of these studies should provide important information on how to immunize in order to elicit maximum numbers of HSV-specific memory T and B lymphocytes in both genital and neuronal sites.

Another interest of my laboratory is the development of topical microbicides for protection against sexually transmitted diseases. Currently, there are no effective vaccines for the majority of sexually transmitted pathogens and women do not always have a voice in prophylactic usage. For these reasons, alternative strategies are needed to combat the worldwide increase in acquisition of sexually transmitted diseases. The development of vaginally applied microbicides that would be safe upon repetitive usage and effective against a broad range of pathogens has been identified as a high priority by the National Institutes of Health. My interest in this type of prophylactic protection lies in how these compounds will interact with the network of immune cells in the female genital tract. These studies are important for understanding interactions between candidate microbicide compounds and resident vaginal immune cells and should aid in the prioritization of candidate microbicides for clinical development.