Human Transplantation Immunology
Overview
The goal of this collaborative program is to dissect the mechanisms of allograft rejection and acceptance in humans using patient blood and tissue samples. The program takes advantage of the large STI Biorepository and samples collected through Clinical Research.
Human Immunology investigators utilize cutting-edge techniques in cellular immunology, flow cytometry, and single cell multiomics. Assistance in study design and techniques are available (see Services below).
Ongoing Projects
1. Diversity fo TFH cells and DSA generation after kidney transplantation
(NIH RO1, PI: D. Metes)
2. Regulatory Dendritic Cell (DCreg) Therapy in Live Donor Renal Transplant Recipients
(NIH UO1, PI: A. Thomson)
3. Regulatory Dendritic Cell (DCreg) Therapy in Live Donor Liver Transplant Recipients
(UPMC Immune Transplant and Therapy Center, PI: A. Thomson)
4. Delayed Regulatory Dendritic Cell (DCreg) Therapy in Live Donor Liver Transplant Recipients
(UPMC Immune Transplant and Therapy Center, PI: A. Thomson)
Past Projects
1. Contribution of TFH and TREG cells to generation of DSA in sensitized KTx recipients
NIH R21 (Metes D)
2. Regulatory Dendritic Cell (DCreg) Therapy in Live Donor Renal Transplant Recipients
NIH R34 (Thomson AW)
3. T and B cell Homeostasis After Induction Therapy in Kidney Transplantation
NIH RO1 (Lakkis FG)
Investigators
Diana Metes, MD - Program Director
Angus Thomsom, PhD
David Rothstein, MD
Camila Macedo, MD
Aravind Cherukuri, MD, PhD
Heth Turnquist, PhD
Paul Szabolcs, MD
Sawa Ito, MD, PhD
Hossam Abdelsamed, PhD
Mark Snyder, MD
Services
The Human Immunology Program provides investigators conducting translational and clinical research scientific and technical expertise in the following areas:
1. Study design (for more information on assistance with IRB submissions, see Clinical Research)
2. Assay design and development:
- Cell co-culture and functional cellular assays
- Spectral Flow cytometry and cell sorting
- Bulk and single-cell -omic experiments
- ELISA and MSD (Meso Scale Discovery) immunoassays
3. Specimen processing and banking: STI Biorepository
4. Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) development
5. Pilot experiments for grant applications
6. Letters of collaboration
