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Earle H. Spaulding Chair in Microbiology and Immunology Professor, Microbiology and Immunology Office: Medicine Education and Research Bldg. 1160 Telephone: 215-707-3207 Fax: 215-707-7788 Email: doina.ganea@temple.edu
Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyCenter for Substance Abuse ResearchTemple Autoimmunity Center
The major research interests and most of the current research in my laboratory are in the field of neuroimmunology and lipid immunology. Although the bidirectional communications between the neuroendocrine and the immune systems are well recognized today, the molecular mechanisms through which the two systems communicate are still being investigated. The understanding of the signaling between neuroendocrine, lipid and immune mediators is particularly relevant in diseases with strong inflammatory/autoimmune underlying mechanisms. The major research projects presently developed in our laboratory are focused on the effects of neuropeptides, cannabinoid receptor agonists, and lipid mediators on the immune system and response, particularly in inflammatory/autoimmune conditions. We investigate the mechanisms by which the neuropeptides vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) affect cytokine production in macrophages and T cells, including transduction pathways and transcriptional factors. We also study the effects of neuropeptides on T cell survival and differentiation into Th1/Th2 effector cells, and on the development of tolerogenic dendritic cells and subsequently of antigen-specific regulatory T cells. Recently, we developed a biological system for VIP delivery directly to the inflammatory site by using lentiviral vector transduced, VIP-secreting dendritic cells. Inoculation of VIP-secreting dendritic cells in models of multiple sclerosis and peritoneal sepsis proved highly beneficial. A new research project developed in collaboration with Dr. Ronald Tuma (CSAR) is focused on the effects of cannabinoid CB2 receptor agonists on immune cell trafficking in the CNS, and their effects on experimental models of multiple sclerosis, stroke, and spinal cord injury. Another major area of research is focused on the immunomodulatory effects of lipid mediators, especially n=6 and n=3 fatty acids. Our latest research demonstrated that n=6 derivatives such as prostaglandin E2 alters the expression of IL-12 family cytokines in dendritic cells, promoting the differentiation of the strong pro-inflammatory Th17 cells. In contrast, n=3 fatty acids such as DHA and omega 3 fatty acid derivatives such as Resolvin E1 and D1, are strong anti-inflammatory agents whose activity is mediated through effects on dendritic cells and T cell differentiation.
Postdoctoral Fellows:
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Doina Ganea, PhD 