Bernard Arulanandam, Ph.D.

Dr. Bernard Arulanandam's lab  studies the basic mechanisms of immune defenses at mucosal sites. Mucosal surfaces form the major interface between the host and the environment, and constitute the first line of defense against pathogens. Specific ongoing projects include: 

Immunopathogenesis of Chlamydia trachomatis: We are currently investigating various aspects of Chlamydia-induced pathogenesis utilizing genital and lung bacterial challenge models. The pathology produced by both genital (e.g., PID) and pulmonary infection of newborns (asthma-like consequences such as airway hyper-reactivity) result as a consequence of immunological sequelae to the primary or repeated infections with this pathogen. Research interest also includes regulatory mechanism(s) of host factors including microRNAs in responding to Chlamydia infection and vaccination. These studies are aimed at providing insights into the design of a subunit vaccine formulated with protective antigens and immune regulators to prevent chlamydial infection. 

Immune Defenses Against Acinetobacter baumannii: Acinetobacter baumannii has emerged as an important nosocomial pathogen observed in injured military service personnel from the Middle East and patients under intensive care. We are focused on the characterization of A. baumannii virulence factors using gastrointestinal and pulmonary infection models to delineate the role of these virulence factors in bacterial colonization at mucosal sites and pathogenesis. The long term goal is to develop prophylactic and therapeutic treatments against MDR Acinetobacter infection by targeting bacterial virulence factors.

Related diseases: Chlamydia, Acinetobacter infection

Techniques: Immunology, Rodent models, Small animal whole body imaging, Proteomics, Molecular biology 

• Research & Grants

  Dr. Bernard Arulanandam's lab studies the basic mechanisms of immune defenses at mucosal sites. Mucosal surfaces form the major interface between the host and the environment, and constitute the first line of defense against pathogens. Specific ongoing projects include:

  Immunopathogenesis of Chlamydia Trachomatis

  We are currently investigating various aspects of Chlamydia-induced pathogenesis utilizing genital and lung bacterial challenge models. The pathology produced by both genital (e.g., PID) and pulmonary infection of newborns (asthma-like consequences such as airway hyper-reactivity) result as a consequence of immunological sequelae to the primary or repeated infections with this pathogen. Research interest also includes regulatory mechanism(s) of host factors including microRNAs in responding to Chlamydia infection and vaccination. These studies are aimed at providing insights into the design of a subunit vaccine formulated with protective antigens and immune regulators to prevent chlamydial infection.

  Immune Defenses Against Acinetobacter baumannii

  Acinetobacter baumannii has emerged as an important nosocomial pathogen observed in injured military service personnel from the Middle East and patients under intensive care. We are focused on the characterization of A. baumannii virulence factors using gastrointestinal and pulmonary infection models to delineate the role of these virulence factors in bacterial colonization at mucosal sites and pathogenesis. The long term goal is to develop prophylactic and therapeutic treatments against MDR Acinetobacter infection by targeting bacterial virulence factors.

  Diseases relevant to my field of study:

  Chlamydia and Acinetobacter infection

  Techniques applied in my research:

  Immunology, rodent models, small animal whole body imaging, proteomics and molecular biology

• Publications

  Wali, S., Gupta, R., Yu, J.J., Lanka, G.K., Chambers, J.P., Guentzel, M.N., Zhong, G., Murthy, A.K. and Arulanandam, B.P. (2017) Chlamydial protease-like activity factor mediated protection against C. trachomatis in guinea pigs. Immunol Cell Biol, 95, 454-460.

  Keck, J., Gupta, R., Christenson, L.K. and Arulanandam, B.P. (2017) MicroRNA mediated regulation of immunity against Gram-negative bacteria. Int Rev Immunol, 1-13.

  Gupta, R., Arkatkar, T., Keck, J., Koundinya, G.K., Castillo, K., Hobel, S., Chambers, J.P., Yu, J.J., Guentzel, M.N., Aigner, A., Christenson, L.K. and Arulanandam, B.P. (2016) Antigen specific immune response in Chlamydia muridarum genital infection is dependent on murine microRNAs-155 and -182. Oncotarget, 7, 64726-64742.

  Ainsworth, S., Ketter, P.M., Yu, J.J., Grimm, R.C., May, H.C., Cap, A.P., Chambers, J.P., Guentzel, M.N. and Arulanandam, B.P. (2017) Vaccination with a live attenuated Acinetobacter baumannii deficient in thioredoxin provides protection against systemic Acinetobacter infection. Vaccine, 35, 3387-3394.

  Ketter, P., Yu, J.J., Cap, A.P., Forsthuber, T. and Arulanandam, B. (2016) Pentraxin 3: an immune modulator of infection and useful marker for disease severity assessment in sepsis. Expert Rev Clin Immunol, 12, 501-507.