Immunogenetics and Transplant Immunology Labs

Andrea Zachary Lab

Researchers in the Andrea Zachary Lab study the mechanisms of desensitization and the role of non-HLA antibodies in transplantation, with an ongoing focus on non-HLA targets of rejection expressed on vascular endothelial cells. We also are studying topics that include down regulation of humoral alloimmunity; variability in immunogenicity among different HLA antigens; the involvement of non-HLA-specific antibodies in transplantation; the role of AT1R antibodies in organ transplantation; and desensitization in haploidentical hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation.

Research Areas: allograft rejection, transplants, human leukocyte antigens, stem cells

Principal Investigator

Andrea Zachary

Department

Medicine
Annette Jackson Lab

Research in the Annette Jackson Lab focuses on the characterization of HLA and non-HLA antibodies and their role in allograft rejection. We are investigating the mechanisms involved in keeping donor HLA-specific B cells quiescent in transplant recipients following desensitization and transplantation. We also study the development of quantitative measures of immune memory to aid in donor selection and individualization of immunosuppression. We are identifying the non-HLA targets of endothelial cell reactive antibodies to allow for improved detection of these antibodies and to decipher their role in allograft injury.

Research Areas: blood disorders, allograft rejection, transplants, antibodies, HLA antibodies, immunosuppression

Principal Investigator

Annette Jackson

Department

Medicine
Mary Philogene Lab

Research in the Mary Philogene Lab focuses on the field of histocompatibility and transplant immunology. Our studies in immunogenetics have included topics such as immunologic risk factors in transplant patients, the role of non-HLA antibodies in primary graft dysfunction following cardiac transplantation, and immunosuppression withdrawal and allograft function in pediatric liver transplant recipients.

Research Areas: transplant immunology, transplants, histocompatibility, immunogenetics

Principal Investigator

Mary Carmelle Philogene

Department

Medicine
Mary S. Leffell Lab

Research in the Mary S. Leffell Lab focuses on transplantation immunology and immunogenetics. We have conducted population studies to examine the distribution of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles and haplotypes, minor histocompatibility antigens, killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) and cytokine alleles in a number of racial and ethnic groups.

Research Areas: transplants, immunology, human leukocyte antigens, alleles, immunogenetics, killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors

Principal Investigator

Mary Leffell

Department

Medicine