Transplantation
Immunology Laboratory
Department of Surgery
University of Mississippi Medical Center
2500 North State Street
Jackson, Mississippi
39216
Director: W. Henry Barber, MD, DPhil (
email
)
The Transplant Immunology
Laboratory was set up in 1993. Our research has been focused primarily on
endothelial
cell and T cell interactions in both allogeneic and xenogeneic transplantation.
We are currently comparing the possible cellular mechanisms triggered by
intercurrent
infections in allografts and xenografts.
T cell proliferative response,
cytokine production and accessory signal requirements in co-culture allogeneic
and xenogeneic endothelial cells are now being studied, both in the presence
and absence of superantigens like staphylococcal enterotoxins.
The Immunology laboratory
is also working in close collaboration with the Department of Obstetrics to
elucidate the cytokine networking at the maternal-fetal interface. Human
decidual
and placental tissues and cultured cytotrophoblasts from patients with
pre-eclampsia
are being compared with tissues from normal controls. Gene expression of various
immunomodulatory cytokines is being studied using semi-quantitative RT-PCR
technique
and co-relation with cellular mechanisms involved in these interactions at the
placental interface is being sought.
The laboratory is equipped
to carry out a wide range of cellular and molecular experiments and cell culture
techniques. An Immunology Journal Club is held twice a month enabling
interactions
with the Department of Medicine and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
and the numerous research labs within the Department of Surgery.
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