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Jordan Pober, MD, PhD

Bayer Professor of Translational Medicine and Professor of Immunobiology, Pathology and Dermatology; Director, Human and Translational Immunology Program; Vice-Chair, Dept. of Immunobiology for the Section of Human and Translational Immunology

Contact Information

Jordan Pober, MD, PhD

Mailing Address

  • Immunobiology

    PO Box 208089

    New Haven, CT 06520-8089

    United States

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Research Summary

Our research addresses three interrelated problems in immunobiology and vascular biology. First, we examine and analyze the consequences that ensue when human T lymphocytes recognize specific antigens presented by human vascular cells compared to recognition of antigens presented by professional antigen presenting cells or by tissue cells. Second, we examine signaling pathways and transcriptional regulation of inducible molecules, such as leukocyte adhesion molecules, in vascular cells activated by T cells or their products (e.g., cytokines). Third, we analyze pathways of cell injury in vascular cells caused by leukocytes and their products as well as responses to resist such injuries. These studies may lead to novel, vascular cell-directed therapies for modifying immune and inflammatory diseases and for improved outcomes in transplantation of organs or tissue-engineered grafts.

Specialized Terms: Immunobiology of vascular endothelial cells; Cytokine actions and mechanisms; Transplantation immunology

Extensive Research Description

Our research addresses three interrelated problems in the immunobiology and pathology of vascular endothelial cells. First, we examine and analyze the consequences that ensue when human T lymphocytes recognize specific antigens presented by human vascular endothelial cells, pericytes or smooth muscle cells in comparison to recognition of antigens presented by professional antigen presenting cells or by tissue cells (e.g., fibroblasts).

Second, we examine the signaling pathways activated by T cells or their products (e.g., cytokines) or by B cell products (e.g., antibodies) and the transcriptional regulation of cytokine-induced molecules, such as leukocyte adhesion molecules, within vascular endothelial cells. We also study how these signals differentially affect various segements of the vascular tree such as arteries, capillaries or post-capillary venules. Third, we analyze the pathways of cell injury (e.g., apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis) in vascular endothelial cells induced by leukocytes and their products as well as responses made by endothelial cells to resist such injury.

Our experimental approaches involve use of normal and genetically-modified (i.e., transfected) cell populations in culture, use of chimeric animals, (e.g., immunodeficient mice doubly engrafted with human blood vessels and with human lymphocytes), and use of discarded human tissues from control and disease settings. These studies may lead to novel, vascular cell-directed therapies for modifying immune and inflammatory diseases. A particular focus of our work is on modifying the behavior of endothelial cells to improve outcomes of clinical transplantation and tissue engineering.

Coauthors

Research Interests

Immune System; Transplantation Immunology; Cytokines; Endothelial Cells; Translational Research, Biomedical

Selected Publications

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