Drexel University College of Medicine

Microbiology and Immunology Graduate Program   B.S., Biochemistry, University of Delaware   Email: christina.m.kollias@drexel.edu   Advisor: Dr. Stephen Jennings

Thesis Research Summary:

Studies under the direction of Dr. Jennings are focused on the immunological parameters governing resistance to herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Approximately 50 to 80% of adults are infected with HSV-1, most of whom remain asymptomatic. Symptoms in those with clinical presentation range from mild disease as exhibited by orofacial vesicular lesions up to severe illness (encephalitis). A similar range of resistance has been observed with the inbred mouse strains used for our studies. It has been shown that early Type I Interferon (IFN-α/β) production is necessary to limit viral replication and entry into the central nervous system. Recent work performed in our laboratory has shown that the in vivo depletion of dendritic cells dramatically impairs both NK and T cell activation and function, and renders normally resistant B6 mice susceptible to infection. Future studies will focus on mapping the genetic loci responsible for this innate resistance using mice of varying susceptibility. Additional work will focus on the role of the HSV-1 γ34.5 gene in counteracting IFN-mediated antiviral processes in DCs and infected neurons.