Areas of Interest
No Rolls Royce is built without brakes! The immune system is
highly regulated to protect the host from the "collateral
damage" of an immune response that protects from foreign
invaders. A failure of this complex regulatory system can lead
to autoimmune disease, a "fifth column" attack against self ,
damage to tissue and/or to a loss or deficiency in immunity
resulting in susceptibility to infection or cancer. The overall
objective of our laboratory is to understand immunoregulation at
the cellular and molecular level. To achieve this goal we
analyze the induction and function of antigen-specific
regulatory T lymphocytes stimulated by cells from the eye. This
mechanism "protects" the eye from damage by the immune response.
Molecular and cell-based mechanisms of regulation of T
lymphocytes that effect cell-mediated immunity and autoimmune
disease is under analysis. The biochemical properties ,
molecular/genetic origin and functional properties of soluble,
antigen-specific T cell proteins that regulate some aspects of
immunity but may also cause some aspects of food allergies,
chemical sensitivities and Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome is also
being investigated.
Lab Rotation Projects
- The role of the thymus in adult mice as a mechanism that
supplies regulatory cells that induce splenic suppressor T
cells: how does this happen?
- The mechanism of suppression and induction by splenic
suppressor T cells. These investigations are done with the
examination of the immune response to foreign antigens and
the prevention of autoimmune disease.
- The nature and migration of regulatory dendritic cells
from the eye that induce regulatory T cells.
- The cellular basis of the regulation of T cells by the
central nervous system.
Publications
Selected Publications
Cone RE, Chattopadhyay S, Sharafieh R, Lemire Y, O'Rourke J.
The suppression of hypersensitivity by ocular-induced CD8(+) T
cells requires compatibility in the Qa-1 haplotype. Immunol Cell
Biol. 2009 Jan 13. [Epub ahead of print]
Cone RE, Chattopadhyay S, O'Rourke J. Control of delayed-type
hypersensitivity by ocular- induced CD8+ regulatory T cells.
Chem Immunol Allergy. 2008;94:138-49.
Chattopadhyay S, O'Rourke J, Cone RE. Implication for the
CD94/NKG2A-Qa-1 system in the generation and function of
ocular-induced splenic CD8+ regulatory T cells. Int Immunol.
2008 Apr;20(4):509-16.
Cone RE, Li X, Sharafieh R, O'Rourke J, Vella AT. The
suppression of delayed-type hypersensitivity by CD8+ regulatory
T cells requires interferon-gamma. Immunology. 2007
Jan;120(1):112-9. Epub 2006 Oct 18.
Li X, Shen S, Urso D, Kalique S, Park SH, Sharafieh R,
O'Rourke J, Cone RE. Phenotypic and immunoregulatory
characteristics of monocytic iris cells. Immunology. 2006
Apr;117(4):566-75
Li X, Wang Y, Urso D, O'Rourke J, Cone RE. Thymocytes induced
by antigen injection into the anterior chamber activate splenic
CD8+ suppressor cells and enhance the antigen-induced production
of immunoglobulin G1 antibodies. Immunology. 2004
Sep;113(1):44-56.
Li X, Taylor S, Zegarelli B, Shen S, O'Rourke J, Cone RE. The
induction of splenic suppressor T cells through an
immune-privileged site requires an intact sympathetic nervous
system. J Neuroimmunol. 2004 Aug;153(1-2):40-9.
 View more publications, see
Pubmed listing.
rev. 3/09 |
