Faculty

Bernard P. Arulanandam, Ph.D. MBA
Associate 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

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

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.

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.

Daum, L.T., Canas, L.C., Klimov, A.I., Shaw, M.W., Shreshta, S.K., Myint, K.S., Reese, F., Niemeyer, D., Arulanandam, B.P., Chambers, J.P.  Molecular analysis of isolates from influenza B outbreaks in the US and Nepal, 2005. Archives of Virology. 151:1863-1874. 2006.

Pammitt, M., Klose, Raulie, E.K., Lauriano, C.M., Arulanandam, B.P. Intranasal vaccination with a defined attenuated Francisella novicida strain induces IFN-g-dependent antibody-mediated protection tularemia.  Infect. Immuno. 74: 2063-2071. 2006.

Murthy, A.K., Dubose, C.N., Banas, J.A., Coalson, J.J. Arulanandam, B.P.  The contribution of polymeric immunoglobulin receptor in the regulation of intestinal inflammation upon Dextran Sulfate Sodium induced colitis.  J. Gastroentero. Hepatalo. 21:1372-1380. 2006.

Dong, F., Zhong, Y., Arulanandam, B., Zhong, G.  Production of proteolytically active CPAF by 5 different chlamydia species.  Infect. Immuno. 73:1868-1872. 2005.

Current Laboratory Members

Jieh-Juen Yu, Ph.D., Research Assistant Professor; jiehjuen.yu@utsa.edu
Ashlesh Murthy, M.D., Ph.D., ashlesh.murthy@utsa.edu
Yu Cong, M.D., yu.cong@utsa.edu
Weidang Li, Ph.D., weidang.li@utsa.edu
Madhulika Jupelli, M.S., madhulika.jupelli@utsa.edu
Annette Rodriguez, M.S., annette.rodriguez@utsa.edu
George Vangelakos, B.S., george.vangelakos@utsa.edu
Heather Powell, B.S., heather.powell@utsa.edu
Kalyan Nallaparaju, M.S., kalyan.nallaparaju@utsa.edu
Tatareddy Goluguri. B.S., tatareddy.golugyuri@utsa.edu
Bharat Reddy Chaganti, B.S., chagantybharat84@gmail.com
Prea Thathiah, B.S., prea.thathiah@utsa.edu
Patricia Saravia, B.E., patricia.saravia@utsa.edu

Past Laboratory Members

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.

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