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Molecular Immunology Section
Juan Rivera, M.Sc. Ph.D.
Chief, Molecular Immunology Section
Laboratory of Molecular Immunogenetics (LMI)
Phone: (301) 496-7592
Fax: (301) 402-0012
E-mail: riveraj@mail.nih.gov
Research Overview
Autoimmune diseases, asthma, and chronic allergies result from dysfunctions in the regulation of the immune system. The work in this laboratory is directed towards understanding how allergenic agents and immune complexes activate one particular family of receptors (Fc receptors) and, through them, ultimately control the genes that produce the signals (cytokines) that in turn recruit other cells in the inflammatory response. Understanding this system is essential for developing targeted therapeutic agents that can ameliorate immune system disorders with minimal side effects.
Our laboratory currently concentrate on the following projects:
- Fc epsilon receptor signaling.
- Role of mast cells and basophils in immunity and autoimmunity.
- Molecular regulation of inflammation.
- Sphingolipids role in allergy.
Selected Publications
Hershko AY, Charles N, Olivera A, Alvarez-Errico D, Rivera J. Cutting Edge: Persistence of Increased Mast Cell Numbers in Tissues Links Dermatitis to Enhanced Airway Disease in a Mouse Model of Atopy. J Immunol. 2011 Dec 16.
Hershko AY, Suzuki R, Charles N, Alvarez-Errico D, Sargent JL, Laurence A, Rivera J. Mast Cell Interleukin-2 Production Contributes to Suppression of Chronic Allergic Dermatitis. Immunity. 2011 Oct 3.
Suzuki R, Liu X, Olivera A, Aguiniga L, Yamashita Y, Blank U, Ambudkar I, Rivera J. Loss of TRPC1-mediated Ca2+ influx contributes to impaired degranulation in Fyn-deficient mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells. J Leukoc Biol. 2010 Nov;88(5):863-75.
Charles N, Hardwick D, Daugas E, Illei GG, Rivera J. Basophils and the T helper 2 environment can promote the development of lupus nephritis. Nat Med. 2010 Jun;16(6):701-7.
Olivera A, Eisner C, Kitamura Y, Dillahunt S, Allende L, Tuymetova G, Watford W, Meylan F, Diesner SC, Li L, Schnermann J, Proia RL, Rivera J. Sphingosine kinase 1 and sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 2 are vital to recovery from anaphylactic shock in mice. J Clin Invest. 2010 May 3;120(5):1429-40.
Alvarez-Errico D, Yamashita Y, Suzuki R, Odom S, Furumoto Y, Yamashita T, Rivera J. Functional analysis of Lyn kinase A and B isoforms reveals redundant and distinct roles in Fc epsilon RI-dependent mast cell activation. J Immunol. 2010 May 1;184(9):5000-8.
Hershko AY, Rivera J. Mast cell and T cell communication; amplification and control of adaptive immunity. Immunol Lett. 2010 Feb 16;128(2):98-104
Alvarez-Errico D, Lessmann E, Rivera J. Adapters in the organization of mast cell signaling. Immunol Rev. 2009 Nov;232(1):195-217.
Charles N, Watford WT, Ramos HL, Hellman L, Oettgen HC, Gomez G, Ryan JJ, O'Shea JJ, Rivera J. Lyn kinase controls basophil GATA-3 transcription factor expression and induction of Th2 cell differentiation. Immunity. 2009 Apr 17;30(4):533-43.
Gilfillan AM, Rivera J. The tyrosine kinase network regulating mast cell activation. Immunol Rev. 2009 Mar;228(1):149-69.
Reviewed September 24, 2012
