|
Associate Professor of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology
Associate Professor of Pathology
Background and Training
1983 B.S. Cornell University
1987 D.V.M. Cornell University
1998 Ph.D. Johns Hopkins University
1998 Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Pathologists
Research Focus
Dr. Mankowski obtained both a B.S. and a D.V.M. from Cornell University. He completed a clinical internship at the University of Pennsylvania and a residency in Comparative Pathology at Johns Hopkins University. He also received his Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins in the Human Genetics graduate program.
Students and Postdoctoral Fellows
Pathogenesis of HIV-induced nervous system and cardiac disease processes
HIV is well known for its ability to induce loss of CD4+ T cells leading to immune suppression manifest as AIDS. HIV infection also causes debilitating disease in the brain, the peripheral nervous system, and in the heart secondary to infection of macrophages. Although virus-induced damage to these organs is common, the pathogenesis remains poorly defined. Using the SIV/macaque model of HIV, we use a multidisciplinary approach to dissect the mechanisms underlying these diseases, including the central role of macrophage activation. In addition, we are pursuing identification of surrogate biomarkers of HIV disease progression that can shed light on disease mechanisms and also be translated to the clinical setting. For example, we have recently characterized CSF markers (IL-6 and 14-3-3 proteins) and hematologic markers (platelet decline) that precede and predict SIV and HIV CNS disease. Close ties to clinical groups in JHU Neurology and Cardiology facilitate these efforts.
Our group is also interested in defining how glial and endothelial cells in the brain respond to systemic immune stimuli including the mechanisms underlying transduction of pro-inflammatory peripheral immune signals to the CNS across the blood-brain barrier. To investigate these fundamental issues in communication biology, we use the SIV-macaque model of HIV CNS disease.
Teaching
Dr. Mankowski teaches in both graduate and medical school courses including neurophysiology, neuroimmunology, neurotoxicology and the pathogenesis of infectious diseases. He also trains post-doctoral fellows in the Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology in Comparative Pathology, including diagnostic pathology and experimental pathology with an emphasis on neoplasia phenotypes of genetically engineered mice.
Service
Dr. Mankowski provides diagnostic pathology support for the diverse animal species used in biomedical research at Johns Hopkins.
References
Helke KL, Queen SE, Tarwater PM, Turchan-Cholewo J, Nath A, Zink MC, Irani DN, Mankowski JL. 14-3-3 protein in CSF: An early predictor of SIV CNS disease. J Neuropath Exptl Neuro, March 2005, p. 202-208.
Helke KL, Denver MC, Bronson E, Mankowski JL. Disseminate Cryptococcosis in a guenon (Cercopithecus ascanius). Vet Path, Jan 2006, p. 75-78.
Babas T, Dewitt JB, Mankowski JL, Tarwater PM, Clements JE, Zink MC. Progressive selection for neurovirulent genotypes in the brain of SIV infected macaques. AIDS, Jan 2006, p. 197-205.
Wachtman LM, Tarwater PM, Queen SE, Adams RJ, Mankowski JL. Platelet Decline: An Early Predictive Hematologic Marker of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Central Nervous System Disease, J NeuroVirology, Feb 2006, p. 25-33.
Wachtman LM, Pistorio A, Mankowski JL. Calcinosis circumscripta in a common marmoset. Contemporary Topics in Lab An Med, May 2006, p. 54-57.
Zink MC, Laast VA, Helke KL, Brice A, Barber SA, Clements JE, Mankowski JL. From mice to macaques: Animal Models of HIV Neurologic Disease. Current HIV Research. July 2006, p. 293-305.
Pratt BF, O’Connor DH, LaFont B, Mankowski JL, Fernandez CS, Triastuti R, Brooks AG, Kent SJ, Smith MZ. MHC class I allele frequencies in pigtail macaques of diverse origin. Immunogenetics, Dec 2006, p. 995-1001.
Laast V, Pardo C, Tarwater P, Queen SE, Reinhart TA, Ghosh M, Zink MC, Mankowski JL. Pathogenesis of SIV-induced Alterations in Macaque Trigeminal Ganglia. J Neuropath Exptl Neurology, Jan 2007, p 26-34.
Wachtman LM, Skolasky RL, Tarwater PM, Esposito D, Schifitto G, Marder K, McDermott M, Cohen B, Nath A, Mankowski JL, McArthur JC. Platelet Decline: An avenue for investigation into the pathogenesis of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-Associated Dementia. In press, Arch Neurology, 2007.
