Dr. Thomas G. Pistole
Ph.D., University of Utah, 1969
Immunology; Research Ethics
Despite continuing advances in both prevention and treatment, infectious diseases remain a major challenge to multicellular life forms. Mammals, including humans, are capable of developing specific immune responses to components of infectious agents, but often not quickly enough to prevent disease. Research in our laboratory has focused on innate immunity—naturally occurring defense mechanisms that provide early protection against microbial pathogens.
Our model organism is Salmonella, an important food pathogen. Our long-term goal has been to determine the optimal conditions under which microbial recognition by cells of the host immune system leads to recognition and killing of this potential pathogen, and to examine intervention approaches to enhance early defenses in infectious diseases. We have identified two major outer membranes proteins—the porins OmpC and OmpD—as recognition sites for host defense cells, although the specific porin varies from host species and particular host cell type. We also demonstrated that Salmonella can promote apoptosis in activated, but not in non-activated, human neutrophils. Additionally, we have shown that porcine-derived mannan-binding lectin can enhance the recognition of Salmonella by human macrophages. These findings provide potential opportunities to develop strategies for thwarting the infectious process.
Publications/Presentations:
• Negm, R.S. and T.G. Pistole. 1998. The porin OmpC of Salmonella typhimurium mediates adherence to macrophages. Canad. J. Microbiol. 45: 658-669.
• Nadeau, W.J., T.G. Pistole, and B.A. McCormick. 2002. Polymorphonuclear leukocyte migration across model intestinal epithelia enhances Salmonella typhimurium killing via the epithelial derived cytokine, IL-6. Microbes Infect. 4: 1379-1387.
• Hara-Kaonga, B. and T.G. Pistole. 2004. OmpD but not OmpC in involved in adherence of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium to human cells. Can. J. Microbiol. 50: 719-727.
• Daniel, I. and T.G. Pistole. 2004. The opsonizing effect of porcine mannan-binding lectin on human U937 macrophage-like cells and its effect on tumor necrosis- a production. 12th International Congress of Immunology, Montrèal, PQ, Canada, July 18-23.
• Wrocklage, C. C. and T. G. Pistole. 2006. Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium promotes apoptosis in activated neutrophils. Innate Immunity: Receptors, Response & Regulation. A joint meeting of the Society for Leukocyte Biology and the International Endotoxin and Innate Immunity Society. San Antonio, TX. Nov. 9-11.
• Hara-Kaonga, B. and T.G. Pistole. 2007. A dual fluorescence flow cytometric analysis of bacterial adherence to mammalian host cells. J. Microbiol. Methods69: 37-43.
