Investigations in our division span the spectrum of allergy, immuonology and rheumatology research.
Julian Ambrus, Jr., MD
- Immunology : Study of immunological memory in autoimmune diseaese, cancer and vaccine biology
Supriya Mahajan, PhD, MPH
- HIV Neuropathogenesis : Expertise in the area of HIV neuropathogenesis, specifically in the context of drug abuse.
Jessica Reynolds, PhD
- Exosomes and HIV : Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as important mediators of intercellular communication regulating a diverse range of biological processes. The pathophysiological roles for EVs in diseases such as HIV and addiction are just beginning to be recognized. Understanding the cellular ‘reservoirs’ of HIV and how they communicate with other cells through EVs will allow us to development new strategies to minimize or deplete these reservoirs.
- The role of the cytokine TNF in the mechanism of action of antidepressant drugs: : The etiology of depression as well as the mechanism of action of antidepressant drugs has been investigated for over 40 years, yet precise mechanisms that direct the expression of mood are still unknown. The classic Monoamine Theory of Depression proposed that symptoms of depression are due to an imbalance in the bioavailability of the monoamines, NE and serotonin, within the central nervous system. Therefore, antidepressant drug-induced regulation of NE availability, as well as adrenergic receptors that regulate the release of NE, have been extensively investigated. The time difference between inhibition of reuptake and therapeutic efficacy, however, argues against this being the primary mechanism. We found that α2-adrenergic receptors control NE release and tumor necrosis factor-&
Stanley Schwartz, MD, PhD
- Allergy and Immunology : Asthma, allergic rhinitis, urticaria, atopic dermatitis, cutaneous vasculitis, primary immunodeficiency, hereditary angioedema
- Immunology : Pathogenesis of HIV Encephalopathy Role of Angiogenesis in Cancer Mechanisms of Airway Remodeling in Asthma