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Office: 803 253 5838
Fax: 803 733 1515
E-mail: npsingh
@gw.med.sc.edu
Department of Pathology, Microbiology
and Immunology,
University
of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29208 |
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TCDD (Dioxin) induced Immunotoxicity and
Molecular Mechanisms
My lab is interested in understanding the molecular pathways through which
environmental toxicants alter the immune functions. TCDD (dioxin) is one of the
most toxic compounds generated as a byproduct from chlorinated phenols or during
combustion of chlorinated materials, and becomes available as an environmental
pollutant and a carcinogen. It triggers apoptosis (programmed cell death) of T
cells and causes thymic atrophy and peripheral immunosuppression. My lab is
investigating how activation of Ah receptor by TCDD on immune cells
transcriptionally regulates various apoptotic genes including Fas and Fas ligand
(FasL).
Therapeutic efficacy of Resveratrol for treatment of autoimmune diseases
(Multiple sclerosis, Lupus, and diabetes diabetes)
We are also interested in investigating whether resveratrol, a phytoalexin found
in grapes and red wines can be used as an anti-inflammatory agent for the
treatment of various autoimmune diseases (multiple sclerosis, lupus, diabetes
etc). Resveratrol acts as a ligand for aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and
promotes translocation of AhR from cytosol to the nucleus and induces various
transcrioption factors leading to upregulation of various genes. We have
observed resveratrol-induced upregulation of Fas and FasL in T cells and
apoptosis. We have also observed that resveratrol interacts with estrogen
receptors (ER). We are currently studying anti-inflammatory properties of
resveratrol, molecular mechanisms involved, and use of resveratrol as a
therapeutic agent to cure various autoimmune diseases (multiple sclerosis,
lupus, diabetes etc).
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