 Ph.D.
(1990) |
Jacques
Robert
Associate Professor of Microbiology &
Immunology
Primary Appointment: Graduate
Degree Programs |
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| Contact
Information |
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| University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 672 Rochester, New York 14642 |
MRBX 2-11124 (Office) / 2-11001 (Lab) Phone:(585) 275-5359 Fax:(585) 473-9573 E-Mail:jacques_robert@urmc.rochester.edu |
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- Research Focus
- Evolution of Immune Surveillance, Tumor and Viral Immunity.
- Research Overview
- The overall goal of our research is to understand the co-evolutionary relationships between the structure of immunologically relevant molecules (e.g., heat shock proteins [hsps], hsp-receptors [CD91], NK-like cell receptors [KIR, FcRs], MHC non-classical class Ib molecules [XNCs]) and their functions in innate and adaptive immunity against tumors and viruses.
- One specific research area addresses the postulated dual role of hsps such as gp96 and hsp70 in innate (signal of danger) and adaptive immunity (T-cell adjuvant). The comparative tumor-immunity model developed in Xenopus provides an alternative to mice in order to explore the ability of hsps to generate responses against tumors that have down-regulated their MHC class Ia molecules thereby escaping immune surveillance. This model also allows studies of the relationship between heat shock proteins and non-classical MHC class Ib molecules that are postulated to act as indicators of intracellular stress and malignancy. To better reveal the respective role of classical and non-classical MHC class I genes in immune surveillance and T cell development, we are developing transgenesis strategies to modulate their expression in vivo by RNAi knockdown and induced transgene expression.
- A second area concerns Fc-like receptor (FcR) and killer immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) families that appear to regulate leukocyte functions through integration of inhibitory and activating signals. We are interested by the phylogenetic history and biological significance of these gene families. Compared to mammals the FcR-like gene family is strikingly expanded in Xenopus, and many FcR-like genes are expressed during metamorphosis where they may regulate tolerance to newly express adult-type gene products. Possible relationships between hsps and Fc/KIR receptors in the modulation of immune responses against tumors and viruses are also investigated. These studies in Xenopus should contribute to better characterize factors governing the balance between tolerance and immune responses and induced transgene expression.
- A last research area concerns basic comparative and applied studies of viral pathogenesis and immunity in amphibians caused by Poxvirus-like Iridoviruses such as Frog virus 3 (FV3). Because of the threat of emerging wildlife viral diseases on global biodiversity, fundamental research on comparative viral immunity has become crucial. We have established Xenopus as an important experimental model to study the host defense and the pathogenesis of iridovirus infection, and evaluate the contribution of immunocompromised animals in the dissemination of the diseases. We are particularly interested by the critical involvement of CD8 T cells during primary infection and the involvement of protective anti-viral antibodies during a secondary infection (immunological memory).
- Xenopus laevis Research Resource for Immunology: The University of Rochester is home to the world's most comprehensive resource specializing in the use of the amphibian Xenopus laevis for immunological research. Several genetically-defined inbred strains and clones are available for study. The facility also maintains and develops research tools such as transgenic animals, monoclonal antibodies, cell lines, DNA libraries and molecular probes. The resource includes a satellite facility devoted to study infectious diseases caused by iridovirus. The resource is funded by the National Institutes of Health. (NIAID)
- Recent Publications
- Robert J, Ramanayake T, Maniero GD, Morales H, Chida AS. Phylogenetic conservation of glycoprotein 96 ability to interact with CD91 and facilitate antigen cross-presentation. J Immunol. 2008 Mar 1;180(5):3176-82.
- Guselnikov SV, Ramanayake T, Erilova AY, Mechetina LV, Najakshin AM, Robert J, Taranin AV. The Xenopus FcR family demonstrates continually high diversification of paired receptors in vertebrate evolution. BMC Evol Biol. 2008 May 16;8:148.
- Morales H, Robert J In vivo and in vitro techniques for comparative study of antiviral T-cell responses in the amphibian Xenopus. Biol Proced Online. 2008;10:1-8
- Marr S, Morales H, Bottaro A, Cooper M, Flajnik M, Robert J "Localization and differential expression of activation-induced cytidine deaminase in the amphibian Xenopus upon antigen stimulation and during early development." J Immunol. 2007 Nov 15;179(10):6783-9
- Robert J, Abramowitz L, Gantress J, Morales HD "Xenopus laevis: a possible vector of ranavirus infection?" J Wildl Dis. 2007 Oct;43(4):645-52
- Goyos A, Guselnikov S, Chida AS, Sniderhan LF, Maggirwar
SB, Nedelkovska H, Robert J. "Involvement
of nonclassical MHC class Ib molecules in heat shock protein-mediated
anti-tumor responses."
Eur J Immunol. 2007 Jun;37(6):1494-501. - Ramanayake T, Simon DA, Frelinger JG, Lord EM, Robert J. "In vivo study of T-cell responses to skin alloantigens in Xenopus using a novel whole-mount immunohistology method." Transplantation. 2007 Jan 27;83(2):159-66.
- Morales HD, Robert J. "Characterization of primary and memory CD8 T cell responses against ranavirus (FV3) in Xenopus laevis." J Virol. 2006 Dec 20;
- Ichikawa HT, Sowden MP, Torelli AT, Bachl J, Huang P, Dance GS, Marr SH, Robert J, Wedekind JE, Smith HC, Bottaro A "Structural phylogenetic analysis of activation-induced deaminase function." J Immunol. 2006 Jul 1;177(1):355-61
- Ichikawa HT, Sowden MP, Torelli AT, et al. "Structural phylogenetic analysis of activation-induced deaminase function." J Immunol. 2006 Jul 1;177(1):355-61.
- Maniero GD, Morales H, Gantress J, Robert J. "Generation of a long-lasting, protective, and neutralizing antibody response to the ranavirus FV3 by the frog Xenopus." Dev Comp Immunol. 2006;30(7):649-57.
- Robert J, Morales H, Buck W, Cohen N, Marr S, Gantress J. "Adaptive immunity and histopathology in frog virus 3-infected Xenopus." Virology. 2005 Feb 20;332(2):667-75.
- Marr S, Goyos A, Gantress J, Maniero G. D, Robert J. "CD91 up-regulates upon immune stimulation in Xenopus adult but not larval peritoneal leukocytes." Immunogenetics 56(10): 735-42. 2005.
- Goyos A. Cohen N, Gantress J, Robert J.. "Anti-tumor MHC class Ia-unrestricted CD8 T cell cytotoxicity elicited by the heat shock protein gp96." Eur J Immunol 34(9): 2449-58 2004.
- Robert J, Gantress J, Cohen N, Maniero GD. Xenopus as an experimental model for studying evolution of hsp--immune system interactions. Methods. 32:42-53, 2004.
- Morales H, Muharemagic A, Gantress J, Cohen N, Robert J. Bacterial stimulation upregulates the surface expression of the stress protein gp96 on B cells in the frog Xenopus. Cell Stress Chaperones. 8:265-71, 2003.
- Robert J, Cohen N, Maniero GD, Goyos A, Morales H, Gantress J. Evolution of the immunomodulatory role of the heat shock protein gp96. Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand). 49:263-75, 2003. Review.
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