Shams, Homayoun, Ph.D.

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Contact: amir.shams@uthct.edu

Research Interest:

• Immunobiology and molecular pathogenesis of infectious diseases. These areas are critical for the design and implementation of vaccine strategies.
• The role of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in adaptive immunity to tuberculosis.
• Identification of immunogenic peptides of M. tuberculosis is important to develop diagnostic tests for latent tuberculosis infection and to understand the nature of protective immunity against tuberculosis.
• Basic mechanisms responsible for the generation and function of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs) in mucosal immunity and memory responses.

Current Projects:

1. Identification of immunogenic peptides of M. tuberculosis proteins.
2. Evaluation of novel tests to diagnose latent tuberculosis infection.

Lay Summary:
The AIDS epidemic, the spread of new microbial pathogens such as the SARS virus, the emergence of drug-resistant pathogens and the threat of bioterrorism are clear indications that infectious diseases will remain an enormous threat to the public health in the 21st century. A concerted scientific effort is required to deal with this ongoing problem.

Tuberculosis causes two million deaths annually world-wide, and the spread of HIV and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis has resulted in increasing mortality rates. Development of an effective vaccine against tuberculosis would have a major impact on public health throughout the world. We are working to identify Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens that elicit adaptive immunity, as such antigens are critical for inclusion in a vaccine against tuberculosis. The diagnosis of latent tuberculosis is a high public health priority for the United States, as treatment can prevent future development of tuberculosis and spread of disease. The only tool that is widely used to diagnose latent tuberculosis is the tuberculin skin test, which is non-specific and logistically difficult to administer. We are working to identify M. tuberculosis antigens that can be used to detect latent tuberculosis infection with a convenient blood test. Accurate diagnosis of latent tuberculosis will facilitate identification and treatment of these individuals.

Selected Papers and Abstracts:

• Shams H, Klucar P, Weis SE, Lalvani A, Moonan PK, Safi H, Wizel B, Ewer K, Nepom GT, Lewinsohn DM, Andersen P, Barnes PF. Characterization of a Mycobacterium tuberculosis peptide that is recognized by human CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the context of multiple HLA alleles. J Immunol., 2004 Aug 1;173(3):1966-77.
• Safi H, Barnes PF, Lakey DL, Shams H, Samten B, Vankayalapati R, Howard ST. IS 6110 functions as a mobile, monocyte-activated promoter in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Mol Microbiol. 2004 May;52(4):999-1012.
• Wu S, Howard ST, Lakey DL, Kipnis A, Samten B, Safi H, Gruppo V, Wizel B, Shams H, Basaraba RJ, Orme IM, Barnes PF. The principal sigma factor sigA mediates enhanced growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in vivo. Molecular Microbiology, 2004 Mar;51(6):1551-62.
• Shams H, Barnes PF, Weis SE, Klucar P, Wizel B. Human CD8+ T-Cells Recognize Epitopes of The 28 kDa Hemolysin and The 38 kDa Antigen of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. J Leukoc Biol. 2003 Dec;74(6):1008-14.
• Shams H, Wizel B, Lakey DL, Samten B, Vankayalapati R, Valdivia RH, Kitchens RL, Griffith DE , Barnes PF. The CD14 Receptor Does Not Mediate Entry of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Into Human Mononuclear Phagocytes. FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol. 2003 May 15;36(1-2):63-9.
• Samten B, Wizel B, Shams H, Weis SE, Klucar P, Wu S, Vankayalapati R, Thomas EK, Okada S, Krensky AM, Barnes PF. CD40 ligand enhances the reponse of CD8+ T-cells to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. J Immunol., 2003 Mar 15;170(6):3180-6.
• Shams H, Poblete F, Russmann H, Galan JE, Donis RO. Induction of specific CD8+ memory T-cells and long lasting protection following immunization with Salmonella typhimurium expressing a lymphocytic choriomeningitis MHC class I-restricted epitope. Vaccine 2001 Nov 12;20(3-4):577-85.
• Shams H, Wizel B, Weis SE, Samten B, Barnes PF. Contribution of CD8+ T-Cells to Interferon-g Production in Human Tuberculosis. May 2001, Infection and immunity, 69, No. 5, p. 3497-3501.
• Shams H, Heron I. Mutual interactions between DTaP IPV and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccines in animal models. Biologicals, 1999, Sep.; 27, 227-240.
• Russmann H, Shams H, Poblete F, Fu Y, Galan JE, Donis RO. Delivery of epitopes by the Salmonella type III system for vaccine development. Science 1998 July 24; 281(5376): 565-568.
  
  Chapter Book:
  Barletta RG, Donis RO, Chacon O, Shams H, Cirillo JD. 2000. Vaccines for intracellular pathogens. J. Hacker and T. Oelschlaeger (ed), Bacterial Invasion into Eukaryotic Cells. Subcellular Biochemistry Series, Plenum Publishing Company, Volume 33, 559-59.
  
  Guest Editorial:
  Shams H. Parturient paresis: the old problem and a new strategy. The Veterinary Journal, 2004 May;167(3):222-3.