Date Completed: 1/15/09
Faculty Name: Nabiha Yusuf
UAB Department: Dermatology
UAB School: Medicine
Campus Address: VH 566A
Campus Zip: 0019
Telephone: 934-7432
Email Address: nabiha@uab.edu
Office Fax: 934-5745
Research Program Area: Tumor Immunology
Project Title: Role of the innate immune system in regulation of UVB induced skin carcinogenesis
Project Status: Already up-and-running
Proposed Start Date: April 13
Proposed End Date: August 28
Number of Weeks of Internship: 16
Number of Interns: 2
Other faculty, staff, or graduate students who may help supervise intern: Tahseen Nasti
Expected Number of Work Hours Per Week: 37.5 hours
Expected Work Schedule for Intern: Flexible, intern can largely set his or her own schedule
Number of hours that preceptor will personally supervise or work with intern: 16
Category of Research: Laboratory Research
Cancer Research: Skin
Project Description: Ultraviolet B radiation is a potent immunosuppressive agent that inhibits cell-mediated immune responses. This biologic property contributes in a major way to the growth and development of UV-induced skin cancers, has been postulated to decrease resistance to selected infectious agents, and may reduce the immunizing potential of vaccines delivered through UV-irradiated skin. The mechanisms by which UVB radiation influences cell-mediated immune responses have been the subject of extensive investigation. However, the role of innate immunity of photoimmunological processes has received little attention. Toll-like receptors, one component of innate immunity, are intricately associated with a number of dermatologic conditions, and suprisingly, their involvement is not limited to those with infectious etiologies. For example, pharmacological agents that bind to TLR7 and/or 8 have been reported to improve verrucae vulgaris, Herpes simplex, actinic keratoses and superficial basal cell carcinoma; and TLR2 agonists have been implicated in the pathogenesis of leprosy and acne. Recent experiments I have conducted suggest that innate immunity, especially TLR4, may play an important role in photoimmunological processes. The ultimate goal of these studies will be to define the role of TLR4 in the development of the immune suppression that occurs following UV radiation. This may allow us to identify genetic loci that are involved in UV-induced immune suppression and to develop immunopreventive and immunotherapeutic approaches for photoimmunosuppression.
Intern's Anticipated Duties:
Duty 1: Preparing reagents and performing simple assays
Duty 2: Western blots for immunochemical identification of proteins
Duty 3: Immunohistochemical staining of tumor tissue sections and cells
Preceptor will provide intern with access to the following: office or desk space; computer and printer; laboratory work bench space; equipment needed to complete project; supplies needed to complete project
Likelihood of authoring publications: Very Likely
Background, education, experience, or expertise preferred: Animal Research; Basic Knowledge of Lab Skills; Immunology; Literature Review Skills
This faculty member has been a CaRES Preceptor for one summer.
Intern 1: Azam Qureshi Intern 2: Mohammed Naseemuddin