Mary E. Wilson, M.D.
M.D., University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, 1980 |
Professor of Internal Medicine and Microbiology Campus address: SW34Q GH Mailing address: 200 Hawkins Drive SW34Q General Hospital Iowa City, IA 52242 Phone: 319-356-3169 Email: |
Molecular mechanisms of host-parasite interactions in leishmaniasis
Dr. Wilson's research focuses on the molecular and immunobiology of infection with the protozoan parasite, Leishmania chagasi, a cause of human visceral leishmaniasis. The lab examines interactions between the parasite and mammalian host that result in either survival or eradication of the parasite. Leishmania are obligate intracellular parasites of macrophages. Expression and localization of several important parasite virulence factors are studied, particularly parasite proteins involved in macrophage attachment and antioxidant defense. Phagocytosis induces dramatic changes in the host cell, leading to a unique pattern of gene activation characteristic of a non-inflammatory state that permits intracellular parasite survival. The lab has characterized changes in transcript expression, and changes in microRNAs underlying these gene expression patterns, using profiling approaches. Using confocal and electron microscopy the lab is investigating the bidirectional communication between the parasite and the host cell, including both host molecules recruited to the parasitophorous vacuole and parasite proteins released into the host cell. The ultimate changes in the systemic immune response induced by these changes in adaptive immune cells and their products (e.g., transforming growth factor-β, IL-10) are under investigation.
Field studies in both Brazil and Indian populations living in endemic regions are underway through collaborative projects with faculty in these countries. Humans develop widely divergent outcomes of Leishmania species infection, ranging from spontaneous cure to progressive, fatal visceral leishmaniasis. In collaboration with a professor in northeast Brazil, Dr. Wilson’s group is examining the hypothesis that polymorphic alleles at immune response genes contribute to an individual’s susceptibility to develop different outcomes after infection. Other studies are addressing recombinant parasite T cell antigens that could be used in antileishmanial vaccine development. The above studies make available to trainees basic molecular biology, protein biochemistry, immunology, and genetics techniques.
Recent publications
Gaur U., M. Showalter, S. Hickerson, Rah Dalvi, S.J. Turco, M.E. Wilson, and S.M. Beverley. Leishmania donovani lacking the Golgi GDP-Man transporter LPG2 exhibit attenuated virulence in mammalian hosts. In Press: Exp.Parasitol., 2009.
Ettinger, N.A., P. Duggal, R.F.S. Braz, E.T. Nascimento, T.H. Beaty, S.M.B. Jeronimo, R.D. Pearson, J.M. Blackwell, L. Moreno and M.E. Wilson. Genetic Admixture in Northeast Brazilians Exposed to Infection with the Protozoan Parasite Leishmania chagasi. Annals of Human Genetics: In press, 2009.
Ettinger, N.A. and M.E. Wilson. Macrophage and T-cell gene expression in a model of early infection with the protozoan, Leishmania chagasi. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2(6): e252, 2008. and Featured Cover Illustration. PMCID: PMC2427198
Hsiao, C.-H.C., C. Yao, P.A. Storlie, J.E. Donelson, and M.E. Wilson. The major surface protease (MSP or GP63) in the intracellular amastigote life stage of Leishmania chagasi. Mol. Biochem. Parasitol.: 157(2): 148-159, 2008. PMID: 18067978; NIHMS 38613
Yao, C., Y. Chen, B. Sudan, J.E. Donelson, and M.E. Wilson. Leishmania chagasi: Homogenous metacyclic promastigotes isolated by buoyant density are highly virulent in a mouse model. Experimental Parasitology: 118(1):129-133, 2008. PMID: 17706646.
Gaur, U., S.C. Roberts, R.P. Dalvi, I. Corraliza, B. Ullman and M.E. Wilson. An Effect of Parasite-Encoded Arginase on the Outcome of Murine Cutaneous Leishmaniasis. J. Immunology: 179:8446-8453, 2007. PMID: 18056391
Jeronimo, S.M.B., P. Duggal, N.A. Ettinger, E.T. Nascimento, D.R.A. Martins, G. Monteiro, R.D. Pearson, J.M. Blackwell, T.H. Beaty, M.E. Wilson. Genetic Predisposition to Self-Curing Infection with the Protozoan Leishmania chagasi: A Genome Wide Scan. J. Infect. Dis. 196:1261-1269, 2007.
Jeronimo, S.M.B., A.K.B. Holst, S.E. Jamieson, R. Francis, D.R.A. Martins, N. Ettinger, E.T. Nascimento, E.N. Miller, H.J. Cordell, P. Duggal, T.H. Beaty, J.M. Blackwell, and M.E. Wilson. Genes at Human Chromosome 5q31.1 Regulate Delayed Type Hypersensitivity Responses Associated with Leishmania chagasi Infection. Genes and Immunity: 8:539-551, 2007.
Yao, C., J.E. Donelson and M.E. Wilson. Internal and surface-localized MSP of Leishmania and their differential release from promastigotes. Eukaryotic Cell 6(10):1905-1912, 2007.