Immunoparasitology
Mary Ann McDowell
Please direct questions and comments to: Mary Ann McDowell
Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences
M.S. ,University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison
Post-doctoral Fellowship, National Institute of Allergy and Infections Diseases
The overriding research interest in the laboratory is the immunobiology of infectious diseases. My current research program mainly focuses on two vector-transmitted, intracellular parasites, Leishmania and Plasmodium. Projects in the laboratory are aimed at deciphering the intricate interactions between the vertebrate immune system, pathogens and vector components that lead to disease resistance or susceptibility. Our research utilizes methods in cell biology, immunology, and molecular biology; we employ a variety of model systems ranging from, in vitro culture systems to murine models to endemic human populations. Current projects in the laboratory include:
- Pinpointing the signal transduction pathways that are modulated by Leishmania infections, focusing on the pathways that modulate IL-12.
- Identification of the host and parasite factors that mediate Leishmania species-specific IL-12 production in human dendritic cells.
- Comparing the responses of human macrophages and dendritic cells to L. major and L. donovani infection using Affymetrix gene chip analysis.
- Defining the role that host pattern recognition receptors play in leishmanial and malarial disease.
- Projects examining the idea that chronic infectious agents exploit a specific natural immunoregulatory mechanism to suppress host immunity.
- We have initiated studies investigating vitamin deficiency in experimental leishmaniasis.
We have two projects that investigate the role of vector components on the immune response.
- One project investigates the effect of mosquito saliva components in the outcome of murine malaria.
- The second vector-based project is aimed at discovering sand fly factors that elicit immune responses in human populations in hopes of targeting these factors to develop a Leishmania vaccine that achieves durable protection. Inherent in the second project is elucidating the underlying population structure of sand fly populations in the Middle East.
Selected Publications
McDowell, MA, R. Semnani, D. Chaussabel, D. Sacks, A. Sher, and T. Nutman. Profiling the response of human dendritic cells and macrophages to phylogenetically distinct pathogens. Blood 102:672, 2003.
McDowell, MA, M.A. Marovich, R. Lira, M. Braun, B. Kelsall, and D. Sacks. Microbial priming of human dendritic cells for CD40L induced IL12p70 secretion is Leishmania species dependent. Infection & Immunity 70:3994, 2002.
Marovich, M.A., M.A. McDowell, E.K. Thomas, and T.B. Nutman. Infectious-stage Leishmania major induction of IL-12p70 in human dendritic cells is CD40L dependent. J. Immunol. 164:5858-5865, 2000.
McDowell, M.A. and D.L. Sacks. Inhibition of host cell signal transduction by Leishmania: observations relevant to the selective impairment of IL-12 responses. Current Opionion in Microbiology. 2:438-443, 1999.
McDowell, M.A., D.M. Ransom, and J.D. Bangs. Glycosyl Phosphatidlyinositol-Dependent Secretory Transport in Trypanosoma brucei. Biochemical J. 355: 681-689, 1998.
McDowell, M.A., M. A. Lokuta, and D.M. Paulnock. Detection of an additional isoform of STAT5 expressed in immature macrophages. J. Immunol. (Cutting Edge) 161:1594-1597, 1998.
Lucas, D.M., M.A. McDowell, J.E. Stuckey, M.A. Lokuta, and D.M. Paulnock. Analysis of the interferon-g signaling pathway in macrophages at different stages of maturation. J. Immunol.160:4337-4342, 1998.
Bangs, J.D., D.M. Ransom, M.A. McDowell, and E.M. Brouch. Expression of bloodstream variant surface glycoproteins in procyclic stage Trypanosoma brucei: role of GPI anchors in secretion. EMBO 16:4285-4294, 1997.
McDowell, M.A., D.M. Lucas, C.M. Nicolet, and D.M. Paulnock. Differential
utilization of IFN-g simulated DNA response elements during macrophage development. J. Immunol. 155:4933-4938, 1995.
