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Cellular Immunology Section
Henry McFarland, M.D., Acting Chief
Staff:
- Stephanie Adams, Patient Coordinator, 301-496-1801 adamss@ninds.nih.gov
- Gregg Blevins, M.D., Clinical Fellow, 301-496-0518 blevinsg@ninds.nih.gov
- Katherine Chung, B.S., Student, 301-496-0518 chungk@ninds.nih.gov
- Harald Gelderblom, M.D., Postdoctoral Fellow, 301-496-0518 gelderbh@ninds.nih.gov
- Emily Gilles, Student, 301-451-9566 gillese@ninds.nih.gov
- Azita Kashani, B.S., Research Assistant, 301-496-0518 kashania@ninds.nih.gov
- Jan D. Lunemann , M.D., Postdoctoral Fellow lunemanj@ninds.nih.gov
- Paolo A. Muraro, M.D., Ph.D., Research Fellow, 301-594-7217 murarop@ninds.nih.gov
- Joan Ohayon, Nurse, 301-496-0064 ohayonj@ninds.nih.gov
- Deric Minwoo Park, M.D., Clinical Fellow, 301-496-0518 parkd@ninds.nih.gov
- Susan Reichert-Scrivner, M.S., Research Assistant, 301-496-0518 scrivnes@ninds.nih.gov
- Jacqueline Shukaliak-Quandt, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow, 301-496-0518 jacquies@ninds.nih.gov
- Mireia Sospedra, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow, 301-496-4105 sospedrm@ninds.nih.gov
- Xiang Wang, M.Sc, Senior Research Assistant, 301-402-4488 wangxi@ninds.nih.gov
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Research Interests:
We are interested in a better understanding of how the cellular immune system in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients reacts to autoantigens of the central nervous system. Our research includes studies on the molecular mechanisms of T cell recognition, i.e. how T lymphocytes recognize antigens in the context of MS-associated HLA-DR antigens, in particular HLA-DR15 Dw2. These experiments address the functional and phenotypic repertoire of T cells responding to various myelin antigens including myelin basic protein (MBP), 2’3’-cyclic nucleotide-3’ phosphodiesterase (CNPase), proteolipidprotein (PLP), myelin oligodendroglia glycoprotein (MOG), and myelin oligodendroglia basic protein (MOBP), but also which foreign agents may trigger autoreactive T cells via molecular mimicry. Through collaborations, we develop novel methods to study molecular mimicry. Along studies of the immunologic pathomechanisms of MS, we try to design new immunotherapeuties based on the concepts evolving from the above work. It is our final goal to develop these new therapeutic strategies until they are applicable in MS patients and test them in phase I/II trials. Candidate therapies which are currently being studied are altered peptide ligands based on MBP peptide (83-99) as a highly specific immunomodulation, phosphodiesterase type IV inhibitors to block Th1-cytokines, and the administration of a humanized monoclonal antibody against the IL-2 receptor a-chain expressed on activated T cells. In treatment trials as well as in longitudinal studies of disease activity in MS patients immunologic disease markers (measured by ELISA, quantitative PCR, cDNA microarrays, T cell frequencies and specificity) are correlated with the clinical course and disease activity as assessed by MRI. These experiments shall not only help us to evaluate the efficacy of novel treatments, but also try to prove the pathogenetic concepts derived from animal studies.
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Selected Publications:
- Kondo, T., Cortese, I., Markovic-Plese, S., Wandinger, K.-P., Carter, C., Brown, M., Leitman, S., Martin, R. (2001) Dendritic cells signal T cells in the absence of exogenous antigen., Nat. Immunol. 2, 932-938.
- Kondo, T., Cortese, I., Markovic-Plese, S., Wandinger, K.-P., Carter, C., Brown, M., Leitman, S., Martin, R. (2001) Dendritic cells signal T cells in the absence of exogenous antigen., Nat. Immunol. 2, 932-938.
All Selected Publications
Contact Information:
Dr. Henry McFarland
Cellular Immunology Section
Neuroimmunology Branch, NINDS
Building 10, Room 5B06
10 Center Drive, MSC 1400
Bethesda, MD 20892-1400
Telephone: 301-402-4488 office,
301-594-9084 laboratory,
301-402-0373 fax
Email: mcfarlah@ninds.nih.gov
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