Pathology and Microbiology

Steven D. Carson, Ph.D.

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ACADEMIC DEGREES:
Rice University, B.A. 1973
University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Ph.D. 1978
Yale University Medical School, post doctoral 1978-1982

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Contact Name: Steven D. Carson, Ph.D.
Phone Number: 402-559-4710
e-mail address: scarson@unmc.edu

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• GRANT SUPPORT (last 3 years):

09/03-12/08

NIH, Junction Adhesion Molecule CAR and the Immune System

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• PUBLICATIONS (last 3-5 years):

Cunningham K.A., Chapman N.M., and S.D. Carson, 2003.  Caspase-3 activation and ERK phosphorylation during CVB3 infection of cells:  Influence of the coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor and engineered variants.  Virus Res. 92:179-186.

Carson, S.D., B.L. Switzer, S.M. Tracy, and N.M Chapman. 2004. Monoclonal antibody against mouse CAR following genetic immunization. Hybridoma Hybridomics 23:19-22.

Carson, S.D. 2004. Coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor (CAR) is modified and shed in membrane vesicles. Biochemistry 43:8136-8142.

Drescher, K.M., K. Kono, S. Bopegamage, S.D. Carson, and S. Tracy.  2004.  Coxsackievirus B3 infection and type 1 diabetes development in NOD mice:  insulitis determines susceptibility of pancreatic islets to virus infection.  Virology  329(2):381-94.

Carson, S.D., K.-S. Kim, S. J. Pirruccello, S. Tracy, and N.M. Chapman. 2007. Endogenous low-level expression of the coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor (CAR) enables coxsackievirus B3 infection of RD cells. J. Gen Virol. 88:3031-3038.

Freimuth, P, L. Philipson, and S.D. Carson. 2008. The coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor (CAR). Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology 323:67-87.

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Robert Gramzinsky, Ph.D.; NIH, NIAID
Chima Osuala, Ph.D.; post-doc; last known position Technical Director, Best Formulations
Rustom Mody, Ph.D.; post-doc; lst known position industrial leadership position in Aurangabad, India

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• CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS:

Coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor (CAR): characterization of structure and function.

The laboratory is presently focused almost exclusively on studies of the plasma membrane protein (CAR) that serves as the receptor for coxsackievirus and adenovirus. CAR is structurally related to junctional adhesion molecules (JAMs), and has been shown to localize in or near tight junctions. Since this receptor is also the principal target for adenovirus-based gene therapy, we are conducting research to identify physiological ligands for CAR and characterize the cellular responses that occur in response to receptor binding. We are investigating mechanisms by which CAR associates with other cells and with immunoglobulins through its extracellular domain. This work is important for understanding the pathology associated with infections by these viruses, which can include heart disease, and for elucidating side effects associated with adenovirus-based therapeutics. Much of this research is done in collaboration with Drs. Tracy and Chapman, who are experts in the molecular biology and pathology of group B coxsackieviruses.

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• SPECIALIZED LABORATORY/CLINICAL RESEARCH RESOURCES:

The laboratory has expertise and equipment necessary for protein chemistry and molecular biology. We also utilize several resources on campus, including the Monoclonal Antibody Core Facility, flow cytometry, and the Protein Structure Core Laboratory.