Edwin Rowland, Ph.D.

     The major project of interest in this lab concerns the immunobiology of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in mice. This protozoan induces experimental Chagas' Disease which displays both an active acute stage, during which the parasite escapes immune destruction, and a chronic stage characterized by immune damage to cardiac and nervous tissue.

     Past work in the lab has involved the study of immune responses that play a role in protection and the differentiation of those from the immune responses that may be responsible for chronic pathology. The molecular targets, both of the host and the parasite, of these responses have been examined. A long term goal of our work is the identification of parasite antigens that could be developed as a potential vaccine for this disease.

     Presently, research activity has involved the development of an in vitro model to study the intracellular growth cycle of the parasite. Investigation of the effects of parasite infection on the biology of the host cell is being carried out using moecular techniques. This model is also being used to study the cellular interactions between parasite infected cells and immune cells, such as T and B lymphocytes.

     An applied aspect of our work has evolved over the last few years in Ecuador. We have assisted the Red Cross in the screening of the blood supply for T.cruzi contamination. This activity has expanded into epidemiologic studies to determine the geographic foci of active transmission of this desease.

Selected References:

• Grijalva, M.J., K. Goodrum, and E.C. Rowland (1999) Immunological characterization of antigens released by Trypanosoma cruzi infected cells. J. Parasitology 85:663-671.

• Grijalva, M.J., R.Chiriboga, J.R. Racines, L. Escalante and E.C. Rowland (1997) Short report: Screening for Trypanosoma cruzi in the blood supply by the Red Cross blood bank in Quito, Ecuador.  Amer. J. of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 57:740-741.

• Humphrey, J.S.,T.S. McCormick and E.C. Rowland (1997) Parasite antigen induced IFNgama and IL-4 production by cells from pathopermissive and pathoresistant strains of mice infected with Trypanosoma cruzi.  J. Parasitology 83:533-536.

• Escalante, L., E.C. Rowland and M.R. Powell (1995) Prevalence of anti-Taenia solium antibodies in sera from outpatients in an Andean region of Ecuador.  Memorias Instituto Oswaldo Cruz 90:715-719.

• Rowland, E.C., Hong, L. and T.S. McCormick (1995) In vivo and in vitro infection characteristics of an Ecuadorian Trypanosoma cruzi strain.  J. Parasitology 81:123-126.