Iannis E Adamopoulos BSc(Hons), M.Phil, D.Phil
Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology
School of Medicine, University of California at Davis
Osteoimmunology (see also: biochemistry, immunology, translational research and osteoimmunology)
Our laboratory studies the interface between the skeletal and immune systems, a newly emerging area of research called “osteoimmunology”. Haematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow give rise to both T cells which are important in inflammation and osteoclasts that regulate bone resorption. Differentiation and activation of osteoclasts from their precursors is tightly regulated by cytokines and growth factors such as receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa beta (RANKL), tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and various interleukins. Receptor engagement of these molecules results in signaling cascades and transcriptional changes that give rise to medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis and osteopetrosis. Using in vivo gene transfer of immune cytokines IL-23 and IL-17, we have established new arthritis animal models that highlight the importance of these immune cytokines in arthritis initiation and bone homeostasis. Using in vitro assays, we continue our attempts to define the cellular and molecular mechanisms that take place in this fascinating interplay of the immune and skeletal systems.
For more information, please contact Dr IE Adamopoulos or visit visit his faculty profile page.
Roslyn Rivkah Isseroff, MD
SOM: Dermatology
Our lab studies wound repair and tissue regeneration. We use cell models (skin cell migration studies), ex vivo tissue models (wound healing in a piece of human skin in a petrie dish), animal models (wounds in mouse skin) and we also carry out translational research where we apply what we have learned at the bench to our clinic patients (Dr. Isseroff is also chief of dermatology at the VA hospital and directs the wound clinic there, where patients with diabetic non-healing wounds, and other wounds are treated). In addition, we have just established a pig wound model, that the FDA prefers for testing all new wound therapies. We plan on generating an impaired healing pig wound model, by using pigs that are diabetic, or by infecting the wound surface with pathogenic bacteria. In addition to the PI (Isseroff), our lab is staffed by MD and PhD postdocs, three PhD graduated students, junior specialists, a senior scientist. We interact closely with the Stem Cell program and we are funded to create a wound healing bioengineered tissue construct that is seeded with mesenchymal stem cells. We also study the effects of chronic stress on healing, and how it alters the immune response that impacts on healing. We offer bench or clinical (human patient) projects.
Please contact Dr. Isseroff at rrisseroff@ucdavis.edu.