Dr. Jeffrey K. Actor

Regular Member

The University of Texas Health Center at Houston
Medical School
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Research Interests:

• Examination of host immune responses during parasitic disease
• Understanding proinflammatory and regulatory cytokines during mycobacterial infections
• Vaccine development
• Molecular mechanisms of Lactoferrin immunomodulation

The research in the laboratory is directed at understanding the host proinflammatory response and regulation of cytokines during parasitic infections. Towards this goal we have developed models of tuberculosis in susceptible and resistant mice using modified MTB organisms. We utilize quantitative immunological methods and RT-PCR to reliably measure message for mycobacteria and cytokines in small tissue samples. Understanding the host response to infectious agents will allow development of effective vaccines to combat these diseases.  A converging research interest investigates lactoferrin as a natural mediator of immune responses, for utilization in models systems of infection and stress (SIRS; systemic inflammatory response syndrome).

Selected Publications:

Hunter RL, Jagannath C, Actor JK (2007) Pathology of Postprimary Tuberculosis in Humans and Mice Tuberculosis: contradiction of long-held beliefs. Tuberculosis (Edinb). Jul;87(4):267-78.

Guidry TV, Hunter RL Jr, Actor JK (2007) Mycobacterial glycolipid trehalose 6,6'-dimycolate-induced hypersensitive granulomas: contribution of CD4+ lymphocytes. Microbiology. Oct;153(Pt 10):3360-9.>

Hwang SA, Wilk KM, Budnicka M, Olsen M, Bangale YA, Hunter RL, Kruzel ML, Actor JK (2007) Lactoferrin enhanced efficacy of the BCG vaccine to generate host protective responses against challenge with virulent Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Vaccine. Sep 17;25(37-38):6730-43.

Welsh KJ, Abbott AN, Shen-An Hwang, Indrigo J, Armitige LY, Blackburn MR, Hunter RL, Actor JK (2008) A Role for Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha, Complement C5 and Interleukin-6 in the Initiation and Development of the Mycobacterial Cord Factor Trehalose 6,6-Dimycolate Induced Granulomatous Response. Microbiology-UK(SGM). 154(Pt 6):1813-24.

Hwang, S-A, and Actor J.K. Lactoferrin Modulation of BCG-Infected Dendritic Cell Functions. International Immunology. 2009; (10):1185-97.

Welsh KJ, Hwang SA, Hunter RL, Kruzel ML, Actor JK. Lactoferrin modulation of mycobacterial cord factor trehalose 6-6'-dimycolate induced granulomatous response. Transl Res. 2010;156(4):207-15.

Abbott AN, Welsh KJ, Hwang SA, Ploszaj P, Choudhury T, Boyd S, Blackburn MR, Hunter RL Jr, Actor JK. IL-6 Mediates 11HSD Type 2 to Effect Progression of the Mycobacterial Cord Factor Trehalose 6,6'-Dimycolate-induced Granulomatous Response. Neuroimmunomodulation. 2011;18(4):212-225.

Hwang S-A, Cassie P, Boyd S, Pellis NR and Actor JK. Modeled Microgravity Conditions Suppress Innate Macrophage and Lymphocytic Responses to Common Mitogens and Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Infection. Gravitational and Space Biology. 2012. Apr;26(1):25-33.

Actor JK. Mycobacterial TDM: A Coat to Modulate Post Primary Pathogenesis? 2012. Mycobacterial Diseases. 2:e106. doi:10.4172/2161-1068.1000e106. http://dx.doi.org/10.4172/2161-1068.1000e106.

Hwang S-A, Boyd S, Kruzel ML and Actor JK. Comparing efficacy of BCG/lactoferrin primary vaccination versus booster regimen. Tuberculosis. 2011. Dec; 91 Suppl 1:S90-5.

Welsh KJ, Hwang SA, Boyd S, Kruzel ML, Hunter RL and Actor JK. Influence of Oral Lactoferrin on Mycobacterium tuberculosis induced immunopathology. Tuberculosis. 2011. Dec; 91 Suppl 1:S105-13.

Hwang S-A, Welsh KJ, Kruzel ML and Actor JK. A Mini-Review: Lactoferrin Augmentation of the BCG Vaccine Leads to Increased Pulmonary Integrity. Tuberculosis Research and Treatment. 2011. Article ID 835410, 2011. doi:10.1155/2011/835410.

Additional Publications

Program Affiliation:

Immunology