Medical Immunology Commons^™

Systems Neuroimmunology: Current Bottlenecks, Research Priorities And Future Directions, Harini Iyer, Christophe Benoist, Staci D Bilbo, Lisa M Boulanger, Michael D Burton, Brian P Daniels, Aleksandra Deczkowska, Martin F Flajnik, Mélanie G Gareau, Peter M Grace, Javier E Irazoqui, Susanna Rosi, Irene Salinas, Anne Schaefer, Caroline L Sokol, Dionna W Williams, Robyn S Klein

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Strategies to advance the field of neuroimmunology by embracing its complexity via inclusion of its multidisciplinary properties were discussed at a meeting in Cold Spring Harbor. Attendees proposed fostering of open communications and funding of collaborations across disciplines, and the recognition that our understanding of the neuroimmune system requires interdisciplinary science.

Evaluating The Impact Of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine On Cytokine Modulation: A Pathway To Inflammatory Disease Management, Renee M. Chang, Krystal Robinson, Sharon Sengphanith, Grace Godffrey, Jacob Gofrey, Carissa Salamatin, Mark Santos Phd, Wesley Lockhart Do

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Inhibition Of Histone Methyltransferase Ezh2 For Immune Interception Of Colorectal Cancer In Lynch Syndrome, Charles M Bowen, Fahriye Duzagac, Abel Martel-Martel, Laura Reyes-Uribe, Mahira Zaheer, Jacklyn Thompson, Nan Deng, Ria Sinha, Soham Mazumdar, Melissa W Taggart, Abhinav K Jain, Elena Tosti, Winfried Edelmann, Krishna M Sinha, Eduardo Vilar

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Colorectal precancers in Lynch syndrome (LS) exhibit a distinct immune profile, presenting unique opportunities for developing immune-interception strategies to prevent carcinogenesis. Epigenetic modulation by EZH2 of immune-related genes is implicated in the carcinogenesis of different cancer types, including colorectal cancer. This study utilizes a mouse model of LS and ex vivo colonic organoids to assess the effects of the EZH2 inhibitor GSK503 on immune regulatory pathways, tumorigenesis, and epigenetic reprogramming. Our findings revealed that GSK503 significantly increased CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in both splenocytes and colonic mucosa of treated mice compared with controls. Additionally, a preventive dose of GSK503 …

One Center's Experience Of Pulmonary Embolism After Covid-19: Impact Of Vaccination Status, Cara Gose, Kaylee Dixon, Andrea M. Bodine Md

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Background: The incidence of pulmonary embolism (PE) has increased since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and may be due to the observed hypercoagulable state. There is conflicting evidence that thromboembolism risk increases after vaccination and that vaccines decrease the probability of having a thromboembolic event. This study aimed to explore how vaccination status impacts occurrence of PE after a positive COVID-19 test. The hypothesis was that vaccinated, immunocompetent patients have a lower incidence of PE after COVID-19 compared to unvaccinated patients.

Methods: This was a retrospective chart review at a teaching hospital in New England from 1/01/2021 to 3/31/2023 …

Clozapine Induced Eosinophilic Pleural Effusion With Peripheral Eosinophilia After Two Years: A Case Report And Literature Review, Emiliya Boriskina, Christopher J. Etterle

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

There has been a steady increase in reports of clozapine causing eosinophilic pleural effusions (EPEs). For an effusion to be classified as eosinophilic it must have greater than 10% eosinophils, and is commonly associated with peripheral eosinophilia. Numerous etiologies exist for EPEs, and symptoms include dry cough, fever, chest pain, shortness of breath, and acute to chronic sputum production. The effusions are usually exudative and unilateral. When considering medication-induced EPEs, an extensive work-up should be done as it is a diagnosis of exclusion. If suspected, then the Naranjo probability scale can be applied. Despite the growing list of implicated medications, …

Extracellular Vesicles Released By All Patients Contain Hne-Adducted Proteins: Implications Of Collateral Damage., Jenni Ho, Suriyan Sukati, Tamara Taylor, Sherry Carter, Brittany Fuller, Amy Marmo, Caryn Sorge, John D'Orazio, D Allan Butterfield, Subbarao Bondada, Heidi Weiss, Daret K St Clair, Luksana Chaiswing

Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Faculty Publications

Off-target neuronal injury is a serious side-effect observed in cancer survivors. It has previously been shown that pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) survivors have a decline in neurocognition compared to healthy age-matched counterparts. Elevated oxidative stress has been documented to be a mediator in off-target tissue damage in cancer survivors. Early detection of oxidative stress markers may provide an opportunity to prevent off-target tissue damage. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have surfaced as a potential diagnostic tool due to molecular cargo they contain. We investigated the potential for EVs to be a sensitive indicator of oxidative stress and off-target tissue damage by …

Characterization Of Vaccine-Enhanced Humoral Immune Responses Against Emergent Sars-Cov-2 Variants In A Convalescent Cohort, Jared Sheehan, Amber J. Trauth, Michael E. Hagensee, Alistair J. Ramsay

School of Graduate Studies Faculty Publications

Vaccination of COVID-19–convalescent individuals may generate ‘hybrid’ immunity of enhanced magnitude, durability, and cross-reactive breadth. Our primary goal was to characterize hybrid antibody (Ab) responses in a patient cohort infected with ancestral Wuhan-Hu-1 virus and vaccinated between 6 and 10 months later with the Wuhan-Hu-1–based BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine. We were particularly interested in determining the efficacy of neutralizing Ab responses against subsequently emergent SARS-CoV-2 variants. Sera collected at 3-monthly intervals over a period of 12 months were analyzed by ELISA for SARS-CoV-2 RBD–specific Ab responses, and also for neutralizing Ab activity using pseudovirus-based neutralization assays. We found that convalescent RBD-reactive …

Predictive Value Of Fdg Uptake On Pet For Future Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Mediated Colitis: A Case Series, Malek Shatila, Kei Takigawa, Yang Lu, Andres Caleb Urias Rivera, Nitish Mittal, Abdullah Sagar Aleem, Sean Ngo, Eric Lu, Deanna Wu, Gabriel Sperling, Sidra Naz, Bryan Schneider, Anusha Shirwaikar Thomas, Yinghong Wang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objectives: Immune-mediated colitis (IMC) is a common immune-related adverse event during immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. This case series and review aimed to highlight atypical cases of IMC and explore the potential of PET/CT to predict imminent ICI colitis.

Methods: Through a descriptive, retrospective study at a tertiary cancer center, we identified adult patients receiving ICIs for any cancer between 2010 and 2022 who also underwent PET/CT for routine cancer surveillance during this time. We included patients who had signs and symptoms of colitis and reviewed their surveillance PET/CT scans obtained 2 to 6 weeks before and up to 3 …

In Vivo Evaluation Of Novel Nanoparticles And Repurposed Pharmaceuticals To Combat Antimicrobial Resistance, Sarah E. Evans

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

In a 2019 report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), infections resistant to antibiotic treatment amount to about three million infections and 48,000 deaths. Antimicrobial resistance is an escalating global threat as existing antibiotics lose efficacy over time. The project described is focused on partnering with pharmaceutical researchers and producers to test new nanoparticle-based or repurposed compounds. The central hypothesis of this thesis is that pharmaceutical formulations such as nanoparticles may provide a cost-effective means of combating the emerging antimicrobial resistance. The nanoparticle compounds allowed for a wide range of customization for the pharmaceutical design, since the …

Reproductive Autonomy In Immunological Intervention: Ethical Boundaries In Maternal-Fetal Immune Therapy, Marium Z. Rizvi

Journal of Health Ethics

Recent advances in immunology have broken barriers in reproductive medicine through immune-modulating therapies that support fertility and pregnancy. Treatments such as intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and intralipid infusions are increasingly offered to patients with Recurrent Implantation Failure (RIF) or Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL), conditions that result in miscarriages and failed IVF treatments (Pillarysetti et al., 2023). Maternal-fetal immunology reveals a delicate interplay between immune tolerance and defense: the maternal system must accept a genetically foreign fetus while preserving immunological protection. Disruptions in this balance are implicated in implantation disorders and pregnancy failure. As a result, immune-based therapies have emerged as promising …

Improving Knowledge And Confidence Of Family Nurse Practitioners In Offering The Hpv Vaccine, Leni Terano Fisher

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Abstract

Introduction

Despite the recommendations of the United States Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, HPV immunization lags behind other routine vaccines by up to 31%. Although there are many reasons for the low vaccine rate, provider hesitancy and lack of confidence significantly contribute to suboptimal HPV vaccine uptake.

Objectives

This project aimed to utilize evidence-driven interventions to increase family nurse practitioners' (FNPs) knowledge and confidence in offering the HPV vaccine.

Methods

Participants were given pre- and post-questionnaire surveys. The Wilcoxon Rank Test was used to compare, quantify, and measure the results of the eight-week data collection.

Results

The subjects were …

Resilience And Reality: Exploring The Lived Experiences Of People Living With Hiv In Texas During The Covid-19 Pandemic – A Qualitative Study., Ahmed F. Alanazi

Social Work Dissertations - Archive

This study investigated the lived experiences of individuals living with HIV (PLWH) in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area of Texas during the COVID-19 pandemic, using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) framework. The research examined the intersection of health, social dynamics, and psychological resilience among PLWH, who faced compounded vulnerabilities due to systemic inequities and the dual public health crises of HIV and COVID-19. Through semi-structured interviews with ten participants from diverse backgrounds, the study captured the profound impacts of disrupted healthcare systems, heightened stigma, and social isolation on this marginalized population. The findings reveal that the pandemic exacerbated existing inequities …

Borreliosis And Doxycycline Treatment Disrupt Gut Microbiota And Immune Responses In Nonhuman Primates, Ethan G. Napier, Isaac R. Cinco, Sheridan B. Wagner, Ethan V. Stuart, Qi Qiao, Joshua Taylor, Brian Stevenson, Ilhem Messaoudi

Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Faculty Publications

Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb) is the spirochete that causes Lyme disease (LD). Transmission to humans occurs via bites of infected Ixodes spp. ticks. Doxycycline is often used to treat LD patients, which is sometimes delayed due to current diagnostic challenges. Recently, several lines of evidence show dysbiosis of the gut microbiome in LD patients, which may be a host factor contributing to pathogenesis and symp tomology but is still an understudied area in the field. To address this knowledge gap, we longitudinally compared the immune response and gut microbial composi tion of Japanese macaques after intradermal infection with Bb strain 297 …

Immune Pathway Modulation In Melanoma Using Chitosan Nanoparticle-Mediated Dsrna Delivery, Bethel C. Iwuji

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by abnormal and uncontrolled cell division, which typically results in the formation of tumours. Even with advances in treatments, cancer remains one of the leading causes of death globally. Melanoma is an aggressive form of skin cancer which is highly malignant, develops in the pigment-producing cells of the skin, melanocytes, and in the late stages of the disease poses a significant challenge for therapeutic intervention due to its multidrug resistance. The innate immune system is the first line of defence against invading pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and fungi, and can recognize and destroy …

Chronic Alcohol Consumption Induces Phenotypic And Functional Alterations Consistent With A Hyper-Inflammatory State In Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell-Derived Microglia In A Rhesus Macaque Model, Hami Hemati, Madison B. Blanton, Heather E. True, Jude Koura, Rupak Khadka, Kathleen A. Grant, Ilhem Messaoudi

Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Faculty Publications

Alcohol-induced dysregulation of microglial activity is associated with neuroinflammation, cognitive decline, heightened risk for neurodegenerative diseases, alcohol dependence, and escalation of alcohol drinking. Given the challenge of longitudinally sampling primary microglia, we optimized an in vitro method to differentiate peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from rhesus macaque (RM) into induced microglia-like cells (RM-iMGLs). The RM-iMGLs displayed transcriptional profiles distinct from monocyte progenitors and closely resembling primary microglia. Notably, morphological features showed that differentiated RM-iMGLs derived from subjects with chronic alcohol consumption (CAC), while bigger, exhibited a bipolar-like morphology. Additionally, dysregulation in key inflammatory and regulatory markers, along with increased baseline …

Targeting Prmt5 In Inflammation And Cancer: A Nexus Of Endotoxin Signaling, Antigen Presentation And Immune Evasion., Jimmy James Msemo

Theses and Dissertations--Medical Sciences

Protein Arginine Methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) is a member of PRMT family that controls both intrinsic and extrinsic oncogenic processes [1]. Protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) is a type II methyltransferase that exerts widespread influence over gene expression, splicing, DNA repair, and immune regulation through symmetric dimethylation of arginine residues on histone and non-histone proteins [2]. The addition of methyl groups induces gene silencing through producing dictatorial histone marks like H2AR3ne2s, H3R8me2s and H4R3mes [3], which act as epigenetic repressive marks on gene promoters. In non-histone proteins, PRMT5 can methylate and regulate transcription factor proteins such as p53, E2F1, and p65, …

Impact Of Obesity On The Gut Microbiome And Inflammatory Markers During Siv Infection And Antiretroviral Therapy, Casey M. Mcguire, Isaac R. Cinco, Diana Takahashi, Kristin A. Sauter, Melissa Kirigiti, Ilhem Messaoudi, Jonah B. Sacha, Charles T. Roberts, Paul Kievit

Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Faculty Publications

Dysbiosis and impaired gut barrier integrity contribute to chronic immune activation associated with both obesity and HIV infection. Given the increased incidence of obesity in people living with HIV, we explored the impact of obesity on the gut microbiome and microbial translocation (MT) biomarkers during HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy (ART). Lean and obese rhesus macaques were infected with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) and subsequently treated with ART. Obese animals exhibited higher initial MT and inflammation biomarkers that remained constant throughout the study, while lean animals exhibited significant increases in these biomarkers that approached levels observed in obese animals. Lean …

Intracellular Survival Of Staphylococcus Aureus In Macrophages During Osteomyelitis, William A. Lathram, Christopher D. Radka

Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Faculty Publications

Staphylococcus aureus, traditionally viewed as an extracellular pathogen, is increasingly recognized for its ability to persist intracellularly, particularly within macrophages. This intracellular lifestyle is central to osteomyelitis, a chronic bone infection characterized by persistent inflammation, bone destruction, and impaired repair. Within bone, S. aureus exploits macrophage plasticity by driving a shift from pro-inflammatory, bactericidal M1-like states to anti-inflammatory, tissue-reparative M2-like phenotypes. This polarization suppresses immune clearance and promotes an environment conducive to bacterial survival and dissemination. Additional strategies – including biofilm formation, small colony variants, and inhibition of phagolysosomal killing – further enhance persistence and immune evasion. While these …

The Characterization Of Il-27 Production And Its Impact On T Cell Antigen-Specificity And Diversity In A Neonatal Bcg Vaccination Model, Ashley M. Divens

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), and it has plagued humans for most of recorded history. Despite strong efforts to prevent and treat TB, it remains the leading cause of death due to a pathogen and is most prevalent in certain regions of Asia and Africa. Currently, the only approved vaccine to prevent TB is the live-attenuated Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine. Most countries have a universal BCG vaccination policy, but the vaccine ultimately fails to be protective. The BCG vaccine is most effective in children and protects against disseminated TB, but protection wanes 10-15 years after vaccination causing …

Outcomes With Bridging Radiation Therapy Prior To Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy In Patients With Aggressive Large B-Cell Lymphomas, Gohar S Manzar, Chelsea C Pinnix, Stephanie O Dudzinski, Kathryn E Marqueen, Elaine E Cha, Lewis F Nasr, Alison K Yoder, Michael K Rooney, Paolo Strati, Sairah Ahmed, Chijioke Nze, Ranjit Nair, Luis E Fayad, Michael Wang, Loretta J Nastoupil, Jason R Westin, Christopher R Flowers, Sattva S Neelapu, Jillian R Gunther, Bouthaina S Dabaja, Susan Y Wu, Penny Q Fang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Select patients with relapsed/refractory aggressive B cell lymphoma may benefit from bridging radiation (bRT) prior to anti-CD19-directed chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy (CAR-T). Here, we examined patient and treatment factors associated with outcomes and patterns of failure after bRT and CAR-T.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed adults with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who received bRT prior to axicabtagene ciloleucel, tisagenlecleucel, or lisocabtagene maraleucel between 11/2017-4/2023. Clinical/treatment characteristics, response, and toxicity were extracted. Survival was modeled using Kaplan-Meier or Cox regression models for events distributed over time, or binary logistic regression for disease response. Fisher's Exact Test or Mann-Whitney …