UTSA Biology Faculty

Bernard P. Arulanandam, Ph.D., M.B.A.
Professor of Microbiology & Immunology
Office: BSB 2.03.16
Phone: (210) 458-5492
Bernard.Arulanandam@utsa.edu

Ph.D., Medical College of Ohio, 1999.
MBA, University of Texas at San Antonio, 2007.

Mucosal Immunity Research Group

 

Research Interests

The identification of novel therapeutic/prophylactic vaccine strategies and combinatorial antimicrobial therapies are of continued interest in the field of public health. Despite a better understanding of systemic immune mechanisms, there are still challenges facing the vaccine field particularly in the area of mucosal defenses. Mucosal surfaces form the major interface between the host and the environment, and constitute the first line of defense against pathogens. The mammalian mucosal immune system has evolved into an intricate network of tissues, lymphoid and mucus membrane-associated cells and effector mechanisms for host protection. The mucosal surface area in humans is estimated to be 300-400 square meters and represents a significant portal of entry for pathogens. Thus, there is an important need to understand the basic mechanisms of immune defenses at these specialized sites. Our research program has focused on understanding host-microbe interactions and identifying approaches to induce optimal mucosal protection and immunity.

The current research efforts in the laboratory include:

1. Intranasal based vaccine approach against genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection.
C. trachomatis is an obligate intracellular bacterium that is a leading cause of sexually transmitted disease. C. trachomatis infections have a high prevalence of morbidity and are also associated with pelvic inflammatory disease that often result in infertility. Despite considerable effort in the understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease, an efficacious chlamydial vaccine has not been attained. We have provided evidence to demonstrate the use of proteasome-like activity factor (CPAF) and IL-12 to induce robust Th-1 mediated immunity against C. trachomatis infection. We are currently evaluating cellular and humoral immune responses and examining the mechanistic contribution of IgA in intracellular neutralization of CPAF activity during C. trachomatis genital infection. Overall, these studies will provide valuable immunoregulatory insight into the design of viable vaccines against sexually transmitted disease.

2. Respiratory defenses against pulmonary tularemia.
Francisella tularensis is an intracellular bacterium that is the causative agent of tularemia. Inhalation exposure or respiratory infections with these bacteria are highly fatal due to the low infectious dose. There is limited information on localized respiratory defenses to F. tularensis. We are currently characterizing the use of a defined F. tularensis mutant as a live attenuated vaccine candidate against pneumonic tularemia. Additionally we are examining the feasibility of using locally administered combinatorial immunotherapy against aerosolized tularemia.

 

Recent Publications

Rodriguez, S.A., Yu, J-J., Davis, G., Arulanandam B.P., Klose K.E., Targeted inactivation of Francisella tularensis genes by group II introns.  App.  Env. Microbiol.74:2619-2626, 2008.

Ketavarapu, J., Rodriguez A.R., Yu, J., Cong, Y., Murthy, A.K., Forsthuber, T.G., Guentzel, M.N., Klose, K.E., Berton, M.T., Arulanandam, B.P. Mast cells inhibit intramacrophage Francisella tularensis replication via contact and secreted products including IL-4.  PNAS. 105:9313-9318, 2008.

Powell, H.J, Yu, J-J., Cong, Y., Guentzel, M.N., Berton, M.T., Klose, K.E., Arulanandam, B.P.  CD4+ T cells are required during priming but not the effector phase of antibody-mediated IFN-g-dependent protective immunity against pulmonary Francisella infection. Cell Bio. & Immunol. 86:515-522, 2008.

Li, W., Murthy, A.K., Guentzel, M.N., Seshu, J., Forsthuber, T.G., Zhong, G., Arulanandam, B.P.  Antigen specific CD4+ T-cells produce sufficient IFN-g to mediate robust protective immunity against genital Chlamydia muridarum infection. J. Immunol. 180:3375-3382, 2008.

Jupelli, M., Guentzel, M.N., Meier, P.A., Zhong, G., Murthy, A.K., Arulanandam, B.P.  Endogenous IFN-g production is induced and required for protective immunity against pulmonary chlamydial infection.  J. Immunol. 180:4148-4155, 2008.

Yu, J-J., Raulie, E.K., Murthy, A.K., Guentzel, M.N., Klose, K.E., Arulanandam, B.P.  The presence of infectious extracellular Francisella tularensis subsp. novicida in murine plasma after pulmonary challenge. Eur. J. Clin. Micro. & Infect. Dis. 4:323-325, 2008.

Chambers, J.P., Arulanandam, B.P., Matta, L.L., Weiss, A., Valdes, J.J.  Biosensor recognition elements.  Curr. Issues Mol. Biol.10:1-12, 2008.

Li, W., Guentzel, M.N., Janakiram, S., Zhong, G., Murthy, A.K., Arulanandam, B.P. Targeted multi-subunit vaccination approach to evaluate cross-serovar protection against genital chlamydial infection.  Clinical & Vacc. Immuno. 14:1537-1544, 2007.

Cong, Y., Jupelli, M., Guentzel, M. N., Zhong, G., Murthy, A.K., Arulanandam, B.P.  Intranasal immunization with chlamydial protease-like activity factor and CpG deoxynucleotides enhances protective immunity against genital Chlamydia muridarum infection. Vaccine. 25:3773-3780. 2007.

Daum, L.T., Canas, L.B., Arulanandam, B.P., Niemeyer, D., Saurez, D.L., Valdes, J.J., Chambers, J.P.  Real-Time RT-PCR assays for type and subtype detection of influenza A and B viruses.  Influenza & Other Resp. Vir. 1:167-175, 2007.

Murthy, A. K., Chambers, J.P., Meier, P.A. Zhong, G., Arulanandam, B.P.  Intranasal vaccination with a secreted chlamydial protein enhances resolution of genital Chlamydia muridarum infection, protects against oviduct pathology and is highly dependent upon endogenous IFN-g production.  Infect. Immuno. 75:666-676. 2007.

Rodriguez, A.R., Arulanandam, B.P., Hodara, V.L, McClure, H.M., Cobb, E.K., Salas, M.T., White, R. Murthy, K.K.  Influence of IL-15 on CD8+ natural killer cells in human immunodeficienct virus type 1 infected chimpanzees.  J. Gen. Virol. 88:641-651, 2007.

Murphey, C., Murthy, A.K., Meier P.A., Guentzel, M.N., Zhong, G, Arulanandam, B.P.  The protective efficacy of chlamydial protease-like activity factor vaccination is dependent upon CD4+ T cells. Cell. Immuno. 242:110-117. 2007.

Murthy, A. K., Cong, Y., Forsthuber, T.G., Zhong, G., Guentzel, M.N., Arulanandam, B.P.  Chlamydial protease-like activity factor induces protective immunity against genital chlamydial infection in transgenic mice that express the human HLA-DR4 allele.  Infect. Immuno. 74:6722-6729, 2006.

Chen, C., Chen, D., Sharma, J., Cheng, W., Zhong, Y., Liu, K., Shain, R., Arulanandam, B., Zhong, G.  The hypothetical protein CT813 is localized in the C. trachomatis inclusion membrane and immunogenic in women urogenitally infected with C. trachomatis. Infect. Immuno. 74:4286-4840., 2006.

 

Current Laboratory Members

Jieh-Juen Yu, Ph.D., Research Assistant Professor; jiehjuen.yu@utsa.edu
Ashlesh Murthy, M.D., Ph.D., Research Assistant Professor; ashlesh.murthy@utsa.edu
Yu Cong, M.D., yu.cong@utsa.edu
Madhulika Jupelli, M.S., madhulika.jupelli@utsa.edu
Annette Rodriguez, M.S., annette.rodriguez@utsa.edu
Heather Ray, B.S., heather.ray@utsa.edu
Kalyan Nallaparaju, M.S., kalyan.nallaparaju@utsa.edu
Bharat Reddy Chaganti, B.S., chagantybharat84@gmail.com
Prea Thathiah, B.S., prea.thathiah@utsa.edu
Kishan Evani, B.S., osy868@my.utsa.edu
Shilpa Sanapala, B.S., ksj100@my.utsa.edu
Kristina Joy, B.S., edx486@my.utsa.edu

Past Laboratory Members

Weidang Li, Ph.D.
Erin Raulie, M.S.
Candice Dubose, B.S.
Jyothi Ketavarapu, B. Pharm., M.S.
Michael Pammit, B.S.,
Cathi Murphey, CHS, DLM(ASCP)
Ty Troutman, B.S.
Tatareddy Goluguri. B.S.
Patricia Saravia, B.E.

 

 

Department of Biology, BSB 2.03.02,
One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, Texas 78249
Phone: (210) 458-4511, Fax: (210) 458-5658

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