Training:
• B.S., 1979: Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA
• Ph.D., 1984: Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
• Post Doctoral, 1984-1987:Duke University Medical Center,
Microbiology and Immunology, Durham, NC
•
PostDoctoral, 1987-1990: Washington University School of Medicine,
Cell Biology and Physiology, St. Louis, MO Summary of research:
Immune responsiveness in humans and its role in protective immunity to tumors and pathogens as well as suspectibility to autoimmune disease. Description and summary of research focus of the laboratory:
Immune responsiveness in humans and its role in protective immunity to tumors and pathogens as well as suspectibility to autoimmune disease. Distinguishing self and foreign antigens is a key step in the development of acquired immunity. Specifically, studies in Dr. Blum's laboratory are directed at understanding how antigens are processed for recognition by the immune system, and the events which regulate immune responses to foreign and self antigens. Studies in the laboratory are underway to examine the pathways guiding antigen trafficking, processing and the selection of immunodominant epitopes.A novel pathway delivering cytoplasmic antigens to HLA class II molecules is also under investigation. Both viral and tumor antigens within the cytoplasm can be presented by class II molecules, and the role of peptide transporters and chaperone proteins in this pathway is being explored. These finding have implications in terms of developing more efficient vaccine reagents specific for pathogens as well as tumors. The selection of epitopes for presentation by HLA class II molecules may also be a key event in genetically-susceptible individuals, triggering autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and type I diabetes. Work is on-going in the laboratory to define pathways for processing autoantigens linked to each of these disorders in humans. Efforts are also underway to examine the importance of autoantigen presentation in transplant engraftment and tolerance. Dr. Blum's laboratory is also probing changes in tumor cell (melanoma, lymphoma) antigen processing which may explain how these tumors induce immunological unresponsiveness. Collaborative studies are also underway to examine the role of specific viral proteins in disrupting antigen presentation including work on the category A agents of bioterrorism, poxviruses. Publications
Lich, J.D., Elliott, J.F., and J.S. Blum (2000). Cytoplasmic processing is a prerequisite for presentation of an endogenous antigen by MHC class II proteins. J. Exp. Med. 191:1513-1524. Haque, M.A., P. Li, S.K. Jackson, H.M. Zarour, J.W. Hawes, U.T. Phan, M. Maric, P. Cresswell, and J.S. Blum (2002) Absence of gamma-interferon-inducible lysosomal thiol reductase in melanomas disrupts T cell recognition of select immunodominant epitopes, J. Exp. Med. 195: 1267-1277. Li, P., MA Haque, and J.S. Blum (2002) Role of disulfide bonds in regulating antigen processing and epitope selection. J. Immunol. 169: 2444-2450. Lich, J.D., J.A. Jayne, D. Zhou, J.F. Elliott, J.S. Blum (2003) Editing of an immunodominant epitope of glutamate decarboxylase by HLA-DM. J. Immunol. 171:853-859. O'Donnell, P.W., A. Haque, M.J. Klemsz, M.H. Kaplan, and J.S. Blum, (2004) Induction of the Ag Processing Enzyme GILT in Melanoma Cells is STAT1-Dependent but CIITA-Independent, J. Immunology Cutting Edge 173:731-736. Search Pub Med Return to Homepage |
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