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FAculty directory
Prasun K. Datta, PhD
Assistant Professor, Neuroscience Assistant Professor, Neurovirology Location: Room 747 MERB Telephone: 215-707-4938 Fax: 215-707-4888 Email: dattapk@temple.edu
Department of NeuroscienceCenter for Neurovirology
Our research interest is in elucidating the regulation and role of the Complement system in NeuroAIDS. The complement system is one of the key players in the innate immune defense against pathogens. The complement system to-date is composed of more than 30 plasma proteins and glycoproteins, soluble or membrane-bound receptors and negative regulators. Complement activation during the innate immune response leads not only to the opsonization and lysis of the pathogen, but also in the generation of anaphylatoxins C3a and C5a which trigger a range of chemotactic and pro-inflammatory responses. Complement activation in excess can promote inflammation and tissue damage. Numerous studies in the last one and half decade have demonstrated that the complement system is activated by HIV and the system plays a significant role in HIV pathogenesis. C3 up-regulation has been demonstrated in brain of SIV-infected macaques and in mice model of HIV infection. However, the role of HIV induced cytokines such as IL-1ß and TNF-α and viral proteins such as Vpr and Nef in C3 gene regulation are unknown. Whether complement activation is injurious or protective is also a question for debate.
Datta PK and Lianos EA. Role of Eicosanoids in Glomerular, Tubular and Vascular injury. In: Massry, SG, and Glassock, RJ. (Eds), Textbook of Nephrology, 4th Edition, 2000, Chapter 37, Part 4, William & Wilkins, Baltimore, MD.
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