Some inbred strains of mice are genetically resistant or susceptible to Leishmania parasites, and allow us to examine the roles of innate and acquired immunity in the control of the infection. Given that this parasite mainly infect and grow within macrophages and dendritic cells, I have been focusing my attention on cellular immune responses and would like to address several important questions. Since conversations between different cell populations are mediated by cell surface molecules, cytokines, chemokines, and their corresponding receptors, I can examine the role of these molecules using gene-targeted knockout mice, neutralizing monoclonal antibodies, or antagonists. This study is funded by a NIH R01 grant and UTMB McLaughlin Fellowship Funds. Identification of target antigens of the parasite.
Leishmania parasites are complex organisms containing approx.
UTMB Sealy Funds and a NIH pre-doctoral training grant provide partial support for this work. Role of sand fly saliva in leishmanial pathogenesis. In collaboration with Dr. Greg Lanzaro's group, I am examining host immune responses to a defined salivary protein, and the impact of these responses on vector fitness and the outcome of leishmanial infection. Information learned from this study would help us understand the pathogenesis of other vector-born diseases. This study is supported by a NIH R01 grant and a NIH pre-doctoral training grant.