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Courses:
Immunology (BIO 442/542), Immunology laboratory (Bio 443), Virology
(BIO 444/544), Medical Parasitology (Bio 420), Medical Parasitology
Laboratory (Bio 421)
Research
Interests: Immunology and Parasitology
Cutaneous leishmaniasis, a vector-borne parasitic disease caused by the intracellular protozoan Leishmania major,
is one of the most important infectious diseases worldwide. Following a
bite by an infected sand fly, the parasites multiply in the skin and
ultimately lead to the formation of large cutaneous ulcers. Secondary
bacterial infections and serious scarring are common outcomes. The
research activities of this laboratory are focused on understanding the
cellular and molecular regulation of the host immune response to L.
major. Our experimental approach involves the use of laboratory mice
that have been genetically engineered to lack functional copies of
particular genes that may be important in immunity to L. major. We
believe that the identification and characterization of these genes
(and proteins) to be critical to identifying meaningful targets for
vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics.
Selected
Publications:
Shen, T., Kim, S., Do, J.S, Wang, L, Lantz, C.S.,
Urban, J.F., Gros, G.L. and Min, B. 2008. T cell-derived IL-3 plays key
role in parasite infection-induced basophil production but is
dispensable for in vivo basophil survival. International Immunology.
20: 1201-1209.
Lantz, CS., Min, B., Tsai, M., Chatterjea, D.,
Dranoff, G., Galli, S.J. 2008. IL-3 is required for increases in blood
basophils in nematode infection in mice and can enhance IgE-dependent
IL-4 production by basophils in vitro. Laboratory Investigation. 88:
1134-42.
K. Kimura, C.H. Song, A. Rastogi, G. Dranoff, S.J.
Galli & C.S. Lantz. 2006. Interleukin-3 and c-Kit/stem cell factor
are required for normal eosinophil responses in mice infected with Strongyloides venezuelensis. Laboratory
Investigation. 86: 987-996.
Neel, N.F., Creasy, B.M., Rankin, J.N., Pierce,
E.M., McCoy, M.E.,
Daner,
R.H., Fowler, J.A., Daniel, J.C., Lantz, C.S. 2004. Absence of
interleukin-3
does not affect the severity of local and systemic anaphylaxis but does
enhance eosinophil infliltration in a mouse model of allergic
peritonitis. Immunology Letters. 95: 37-44.
Shelburne, C.P., McCoy, M.E. (JMU student),
Piekorz, R., Sexl, V., Roh,
K-H., Jacobs-Helber, S.M., Gillespie, S.R., Bailey, D.P., Mirmonsef,
P.,
Mann, M.N., Kashyap, M., Wright, H.V., Chong, H.J., Bouton, L.A.,
Barnstein,
B., Ramirez, C.D., Bunting, K.D., Sawyer, S.T., Lantz, C.S., Ryan, J.J.
2003. Stat5 expression is critical for mast cell development and
survival. Blood.
102: 1290-1297.
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