A5090405751- Immune Cell Function and Interaction
- Immune Response and Inflammation
- Reproductive System and Pregnancy
- T-cell and B-cell Immunology
- Herpesvirus Infections and Treatments
- Immune cells in cancer
- CAR-T cell therapy research
- IL-33, ST2, and ILC Pathways
- Cytomegalovirus and herpesvirus research
- interferon and immune responses
- Endometriosis Research and Treatment
- Immunotherapy and Immune Responses
- Adipokines, Inflammation, and Metabolic Diseases
- Atherosclerosis and Cardiovascular Diseases
- Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology
- Reproductive tract infections research
- HIV Research and Treatment
- Pregnancy and preeclampsia studies
- Virus-based gene therapy research
- Influenza Virus Research Studies
- Respiratory viral infections research
- Cytokine Signaling Pathways and Interactions
- Cancer Immunotherapy and Biomarkers
- Neutrophil, Myeloperoxidase and Oxidative Mechanisms
- Endometrial and Cervical Cancer Treatments
McMaster University
2016-2025
Discovery Centre
2011-2025
McMaster University Medical Centre
2015-2024
McMaster Children's Hospital
2024
St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton
2021
Al-Azhar University
2018
Research Canada
2016
Technion – Israel Institute of Technology
2016
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
2013-2015
Kings County Hospital Center
2015
The dominant lymphocytes in human and murine implantation sites are transient, pregnancy-associated uterine natural killer (uNK) cells. These cells a major source of interferon (IFN)-γ. Implantation mice lacking uNK (alymphoid recombinase activating gene [RAG]-2−/− common cytokine receptor chain γ [γc]−/−) or IFN-γ signaling (IFN-γ−/− IFN-γRα−/−) fail to initiate normal pregnancy-induced modification decidual arteries display hypocellularity necrosis decidua. To investigate the functions...
The generation of strain-specific neutralizing antibodies against influenza A virus is known to confer potent protection homologous infections. majority these bind the hemagglutinin (HA) head domain and function by blocking receptor binding site, preventing infection host cells. Recently, elicitation broadly which target conserved HA stalk has become a promising "universal" vaccine strategy. ability elicit Fc-dependent effector functions emerged as an important mechanism through achieved in...
ABSTRACT Depo-provera, a long-acting progestational formulation, is widely used to facilitate infection of sexually transmitted diseases in animal models. We have previously reported that hormone treatments change susceptibility and immune responses genital tract infections. In this study we compared the changes mice herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) after Depo-provera or saline suspension progesterone (P-sal). found following Depo-provera-treatment, had prolonged diestrus lasted more than...
Abstract In mouse and human, precursors of NK cell lineage home to decidualizing uteri. To assess the requirement for IL-15, an essential cytokine differentiation in lymphoid tissue, on uterine (uNK) differentiation, implantation sites from IL-15−/− mice were analyzed histologically. had no uNK cells, spiral-artery modification, lacked decidual integrity found normal mice. recipients C57BL/6 marrow displayed similar pathology. However, recombination-activating gene-2−/−γc−/− (alymphoid)...
Uterine natural killer (uNK) cells are transient, large, heavily granulated, maternal lymphocytes present on the mesometrial side of pregnant mouse uterus. These contribute to normal implantation site development. Cytokine production, particularly interferon (IFN)-γ, is a major function most NK cell subsets. In this study, uNK were assessed for IFN-γ production. Local concentrations measured in regions murine sites between Days 6 and 16 gestation. was detected by ELISA at all days studied...
Interleukin-15 (IL-15), natural killer (NK) cells, and NK T (NKT) components of the innate immune system, are known to contribute defense against pathogens, including viruses. Here we report that IL-15(-/-) (NK(-) NKT(-/+)) mice RAG-2(-/-)/gamma(c)(-/-) NKT(-)) lack all lymphoid cells were very susceptible vaginal infection with a low dose herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). 100-fold more RAG-2(-/-), CD-1(-/-) (NKT(-)), gamma interferon (IFN-gamma)(-/-) 10-fold HSV-2 than control C57BL/6...
Abstract Influenza viral infection is well-known to predispose subsequent bacterial superinfection in the lung but mechanisms have remained poorly defined. We established a murine model of heterologous infections by an H1N1 influenza virus and Staphylococcus aureus. found that indeed prior markedly increased susceptibility mice secondary S. aureus superinfection. Severe sickness heightened flu dual-infected animals were associated with severe immunopathology lung. further flu-experienced...
Abstract Pattern recognition receptors link metabolite and bacteria‐derived inflammation to insulin resistance during obesity. We demonstrate that NOD 2 detection of bacterial cell wall peptidoglycan ( PGN ) regulates metabolic sensitivity. An obesity‐promoting high‐fat diet HFD increased in hepatocytes adipocytes, −/− mice have adipose tissue liver exacerbated a . This effect is independent altered adiposity or hematopoietic‐derived immune cells. Instead, associated with commensal...
Although women constitute half of all HIV-1-infected people worldwide (UNAIDS World AIDS Day Report, 2011), the earliest events in female reproductive tract (FRT) during heterosexual HIV-1 transmission are poorly understood. Recently, we demonstrated that could directly impair mucosal epithelial barrier FRT. This suggested envelope glycoprotein gp120 was being recognized by a membrane receptor on genital cells, leading to innate immune activation. In this study, report pattern-recognition...
Influenza viral infection results in excessive pulmonary inflammation that has been linked to the damage caused by immune responses and replication. The multifunctional cytokine interleukin (IL-15), influences proliferation maintenance of cells such as CD8(+) T natural killer (NK) cells. Here we show IL-15(-/-) mice are protected from lethal influenza infection. Irrespective mouse strains, protection observed was lack NK Increased survival or NK1.1(+) cell-depleted wild-type associated with...
Abstract The crosstalk between NK cells and M1 macrophages has a vital role in the protection against infections tumor development. However, resemble an M2 phenotype, and, at present, their effect on is less clear. This study investigated whether tumor-associated (TAMs) have altering cell function phenotype using vitro cocultures of murine with peritoneal or bone marrow-derived, M2-polarized TAMs isolated from spontaneous mouse breast tumors. We report here that both marrow-derived...
The requirement of type I interferon (IFN) for natural killer (NK) cell activation in response to viral infection is known, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that IFN signaling inflammatory monocytes, not dendritic cells (DCs) or NK cells, essential function a mucosal herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) infection. Mice deficient signaling, Ifnar −/− and Irf9 mice, had significantly lower levels were IL-18 production, lacked cell–derived IFN-γ. Depletion DCs other...
Abstract Coronavirus infection in humans is usually associated to respiratory tract illnesses, ranging severity from mild life-threatening failure. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) was recently identified as a host factor for Zika and dengue viruses; AHR antagonists boost antiviral immunity, decrease viral titers ameliorate Zika-induced pathology vivo. Here we report that activated by with different coronaviruses, potentially impacting immunity lung epithelial cells. Indeed, the analysis...
Abstract Although many viral infections are linked to the development of neurological disorders, mechanism governing virus-induced neuropathology remains poorly understood, particularly when virus is not directly neuropathic. Using a mouse model Zika (ZIKV) infection, we found that severity disease did correlate with brain ZIKV titers, but rather infiltration bystander activated NKG2D + CD8 T cells. Antibody depletion or blockade prevented ZIKV-associated paralysis, suggesting cells induce...
ABSTRACT Mucosal surfaces are the entry sites for vast majority of infectious pathogens and provide first line defense against infection. In addition to epithelial barrier, innate immune system plays a key role in recognizing rapidly responding invading via receptors, such as Toll-like receptors (TLR). Bacterial CpG DNA, potent activator immunity, is recognized by TLR9. Here, we confirm that local mucosal, but not systemic, delivery oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) genital tract protects mice...