VA Address:	Research Services 151 Omaha VA Medical Center 4101 Woolworth Avenue Omaha, NE 68105
Campus Address:	Department of Internal Medicine Section of Rheumatology/Immunology University of Nebraska Medical Center 983025 Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, Nebraska 68198-3025
Phone:	(402) 346-8800, Extension 3550
e-mail:	GTHIELE@unmc.edu
Pager:	402-888-1579

 

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2004-2005	National Institutes of Health (STTR Grant), “A Peptide-Based Vaccine to Nicotine”.  PI- Sam Sanderson, Ph.D.; Role in Project- Collaborator ($100,000/year for 1 year; Total- $100,000; 10%. July1 ,2004-June 30, 2005.
2004-2007	National Cancer Institute (R01), “Development of Peptide-Based Vaccines to Nicotine”.  PI- Sam Sanderson, Ph.D.; Role in Project- Co-Investigator ($250,000/year for 3 years; Total- $700,000; 10%. July 1, 2004-June 30, 2007.
2004-2006	National Institutes of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (R13- Conference Grant), “Mechanisms of Alcohol-Mediated Organ and Tissue Damage”. PI- Gyongyi Szabo, M.D./Ph.D.; Role in Project - Co-Investigator ($20,000/year for 2 years; Total- $40,000);10%. April 1, 2004-June 30, 2006.
2004-2009	VA Merit Review, Department of Veterans Affairs, "Alcohol Liver Disease: Immune Response to Aldehyde Modified Proteins".  Competitive Renewal.  PI- Geoffrey M. Thiele, Ph.D. ($212,100/year for 5 years; Total- $1,073,700); 15.5%.  October 1, 2004-September 30, 2009.
2003-2005	“UNMC Bioterrorism/Public Health Curricular Enhancement”. PI- Phyllis Muellenberg, M.A.; Role in Project- Faculty Development Team Leader ($345,822/year for 2 years; Total- $659,050); 5%. October 1, 2003-September 30, 2005.
2004-2009	NIH Merit Award.  National Institutes of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (R01/R37), "Immune Response to Acetaldehyde Adducts".  PI- Lynell W. Klassen, M.D.; Role in Project - Co-Investigator ($291,650 for 5 years; Total- $1,548,407) 41%.  June 1, 2004-May 31, 2009.
2002-2005	VA Merit Review entitled, “Malondialdehyde-Acetaldehyde Adduct Formation in Airway Epithelium”.  PI- Todd A. Wyatt, Ph.D.; Role in Project - Collaborator ($90,000/year for 5 years; Total- $270,000) 5%, No Salary.  October 1, 2002-September 30, 2005.
2002-2005	Arthritis Foundation Research Grant, New Investigator Grant.  “Evaluation of the Effect of Exercise on Disease Activity and Immune Parameters in Persons with Rheumatoid Arthritis”.  PI- Laura Bilek, Ph.D.; Role in Project - Mentor ($43,694/year for 3 years; Total- $131,082) 3%, No Salary.  September 1, 2002 - August 31, 2005.
2003-2005	American Heart Foundation, “Peptide-Based Molecular Adjuvant Containing Vaccine to Nicotine”.  PI- Sam Sanderson, Ph.D.; Role in Project- Consultant ($60,000/year for 2 year; Total- $120,000) 10%, No Salary.  January 1, 2003 - December 31, 2004.
2002-2004	University of Nebraska Interdisciplinary Grant, “Development of a Vaccine Pharmacotherapy for Methamphetamine Abuse”.  PI - Rick A. Bevins, Ph.D.; Role in Project - Co-Investigator ($16,788/year for 1 year; Total- $16,788) 5%, No Salary.  December 1, 2002 - November 30, 2004.
2000-2005	National Institutes of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Training Grant, “Biochemistry and Immunology of Alcoholic Liver Disease”.  PI- Thomas R. Jerrells, Ph.D.; Role in Project - Mentor ($174,193/year for 5 years; Total-$966,795) % of time as necessary, No Salary.  July 1, 2000 - June 30, 2005.
2000-2004	National Institutes of Health (NIAMS- R01), “Rheumatoid Arthritis: Predictors of Therapeutic Response”.  PI- James R. O’Dell, M.D.; Role in Project - Co-Investigator ($200,000 for 3 years; Total- $600,000) 15%.  October 1, 2000 - September 30, 2003. No cost extension until August 31, 2004.
2000-2004	National Institutes of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, "Alcohol and Liver Endothelial Cells in Immune Responses".  Competitive Renewal.  PI- Geoffrey M. Thiele, Ph.D.; ($225,000/year for 4 years; Total-$900,000) 50%.  July 1, 2000 - June 30, 2004. No cost extension until June 30, 2005.
2000-2005	National Institutes of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (R01), “Pathogenesis of Anticonvulsant Hypersensitivity Syndrome”.  PI- J. Steven Leeder, PharmD., Ph.D.; Role in Project - Collaborator ($200,000/year for 5 years; Total- $1,010,000) 5%, No Salary.  January 1, 2000 - December 31, 2005.
1999-2003	Department of Veterans Affairs, "Alcohol Research Center".  Dean J. Tuma and Michael F. Sorrell, M.D.; Role in Project - Supervisor of the Immunology Core Facility.  ($300,000/year for 5 years; Total - $1,600,000), 5%, No Salary.  January 1, 1999 - December 31, 2003. Funding extended until September 30, 2004.
1999-2003	National Institutes of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (R01), "Immune Response to Acetaldehyde Adducts".  PI- Lynell W. Klassen, M.D.; Role in Project - Co-Investigator ($265,229 for 5 years; Total- $1,380,239) 41%.  January 1, 1999 - December 31, 2003.

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• PUBLICATIONS (last 3-5 years):

Articles published in scholarly journals (Last 3 years):

Willis MS, Klassen LW, Tuma DJ, Sorrell MF, and Thiele, GM.  Adduction of Soluble Proteins with the Alcohol Metabolites Malondialdehyde-Acetaldehyde (MAA) Induce Antibody Production and Enhance T Cell Proliferation.  Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research  26(1):94-106, 2002.  

Willis MS, Klassen LW, Tuma DJ, and Thiele GM.  Malondialdehyde-Acetaldehyde-Haptenated Protein Induces Cell Death by Induction of Necrosis and Apoptosis in Immune Cells.  International Immunopharmacology  2:5119-535, 2002. 

Willis MS, Klassen LW, Tuma DJ, Sorrell MF and Thiele GM.  In Vitro Exposure to Malondialdehyde-Acetaldehyde (MAA) Adducted Protein Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Viability.  Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research  26(2):158-164, 2002.

 Freeman TL, Thiele GM, Tuma DJ, Machu TK and Malliard ME.  ATA2-Mediated Amino Acid Uptake Following Partial Hepatectomy is Regulated by Redistribution to the Plasma Membrane.  Arch Biochem,  400:215-222, 2002.

Thiele GM, Szabo G, Kovacs EJ, Bautista AP, Sosa L, Jerrells TR, and Thiele GM.  Modulation of Immunity and Viral -Host Interactions by Alcohol.  Symposium.  Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research 26(12):1897-1908, 2002.

Sanderson SD, Cheruku SR, Padmanilayam MP, Vennerstrom JL, Thiele GM, Palmtier MI and Bevins RA.  Immunization to Nicotine with a Peptide-Based Vaccine Composed of a Conformationally Biased Agonist of C5a as a Molecular Adjuvant. International Immunopharmacology 3(1):137-146, 2003.

Duryee MJ, Tuma DJ, Freeman TL, Willis MS, Klassen LW and Thiele GM.  Chronic Ethanol Consumption Impairs Receptor-Mediated Endocytosis of MAA-Modified Albumin by Liver Endothelial Cells.  Biochem Pharm. 66(6):1045-1054, 2003.

Willis MS, Thiele GM, Tuma DJ, and Klassen LW. T Cell Proliferative Responses to Malondialdehyde-Acetaldehyde Haptenated Protein are Scavenger Receptor Mediated. International Immunopharmacology 3(10-11):1381-1399, 2003.

 Thiele GM, Duryee MJ, Willis MS, Sorrell MF, Freeman TL, Tuma DJ and Klassen LW. Malondialdehyde-Acetaldehyde (MAA) Modified Proteins Induce Pro-Inflammatory and Pro-Fibrotic Responses by Liver Endothelial Cells.  Comparative Hepatology 3(Suppl 1):S25, 2004.

SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1Freeman TL, Thiele GM, Klassen LW, Klassen BT and Malliard ME. N-(methylamino)Isobutyric Acid Inhibits Proliferation of CFSC-2G Hepatic Stellate Cells. Biochem Pharm. 68(2):223-230, 2004.

Willis MS, Klassen LW, Carlson DL, Brouse CF and Thiele GM.  Malondialdehyde-acetaldehyde Haptenated Protein Binds Macrophage Scavenger Receptor(s) and Induces Lysosomal Damage. Int Immunopharmacol. 4(7):885-899, 2004.

Duryee MJ, Willis MS, Kuszynski CA, Tuma DJ, Klassen LW and Thiele GM.  Mechanisms of Alcoholic Liver Damage:  Aldehydes, Scavenger Receptors, and Autoimmunity.  Frontiers in Biosciences.  9:3145-3155, 2004.

Thiele GM, Freeman TL and Klassen LW. Immunologic Mechanisms of Alcoholic Liver Injury. Semin Liver Dis. 24(3):273-288, 2004.

 Thiele GM, Freeman TL, Duryee MJ, Willis MS, Tuma DJ, and Klassen LW. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a Co-Factor for MAA-Mediated Cytokine/Chemokine Release by Rat Liver Sinusoidal Endothelial and Kupffer Cells. Alcoholism: Clinical Experimental Research 28(12):1931-1938; 2004.

Thiele GM, Hill GE, Pavlik JA, Freeman TL, Tuma DJ, Duryee MJ and Klassen LW.  Halothane Potentiates the Alcohol-Adduct Induced TNF-α Release in Heart Endothelial Cells.  BMC Anesthesiology  2005 5(1):3-9, 2005.

Freeman TL, Haver A, Duryee MJ, Tuma DJ, Klassen LW, Hamel FG, White RL, Rennard SI, Thiele GM.  Aldehydes in cigarette smoke react with the lipid peroxidation product malonaldehyde to form fluorescent protein adducts on lysines.  Chem Res Toxicol. 18(5):817-24, 2005.

Zima T, Albano E, Ingelman-Sundberg I, Arteel G, Thiele GM, Sun A.  Modulation of Oxidative Stress by Alcohol.  Alcoholism: Clin. Exp. Res.  29(6):1060-1065, 2005.                                                                    

Freeman TL, Tuma DJ, Thiele GM, Klassen LW, Worrall S, Niemela O, Parkkila S, Emery PW, Preedy VR.  Recent Advances in Alcohol-Induced Adduct Formation.  Alcoholism: Clin. Exp. Res. 29(7): 1310-1316, 2005.

Thiele GM, Mandredar P, Zakhari S, Hoek J, Cook RT, Ray NB, Happel KI, Kolls JK, Kovacs EJ and Szabo G.  RSA 2004: Combined Basic Research Satellite Symposium: Mechanisms of Alcohol-Mediated Organ and Tissue Damage: Inflammation and Immunity and Alcohol and Mitochondrial Metabolism:  At the Crossroads of Life and Death.  Session One: Alcohol, Cellular and Organ Damage.  Alcoholism: Clin. Exp. Res. 29(9):1735-1743, 2005.

Mandrekar P, Pruett S, Arteel G, Thiele GM, Szabo G.  RSA 2004: Combined Basic Research Satellite Symposium.  Session Two: Toll-like Receptors and Organ Damage.  Alcoholism: Clin. Exp. Res.  29(9):1744-1748, 2005.

Szabo G, Weinman SA, Gao B, Polyak SJ, Mandrekar P, Thiele GM.  RSA 2004: Combined Basic Research Satellite Symposium.  Session Four:  Hepatitis Virus and Alcohol Interactions in Immunity and Liver Disease.  Alcoholism: Clin. Exp. Res. 29(9):1753-1757, 2005.

Duryee MJ, Freeman TL, Willis MS, Hunter CD, Hamilton BC III, Suzuki H, Tuma DJ, Klassen LW and Thiele GM.  Scavenger Receptors on Sinusoidal Liver Endothelial Cells (SECs) are Involved in the Uptake of Aldehyde-Modified Proteins.  Mol. Pharmacol.  68(5):1423-1430, 2005.

Thiele GM, Duryee MJ, Freeman TL, Sorrell MF, Willis MS, Tuma DJ and Klassen LW.  Rat Sinusoidal Liver Endothelial Cells (SECs) Produce Pro-Fibrotic Factors in Response to Adducts Formed from the Metabolites of Ethanol.  Biochemical Pharmacology 79(11):1593-1600, 2005.

Chapters in books:

SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1Thiele GM, Bicak MS, Lai PK and Purtilo DT:  X-linked lymphoproliferative patient antibody response to a synthetic peptide of Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen.  In:  Epstein-Barr Virus and Human Diseases, P.H. Levine, D.V. Ablashi, M. Nonoyama, G.R. Pearson and R. Glaser (eds.).  The Humana Press, pp. 405-406, 1987.

Purtilo DT, Okano M, Thiele GM, Davis J and Grierson HL:  Lymphotropic viruses interacting with Epstein-Barr virus in the pathogenesis of immunodeficiency and lymphoproliferative diseases.  In:  Proceedings of the International Colloquium on Lymphoid Malignancy.  Japan scientific Societies Press, Field & Wood Medical Publishers, Philadelphia, pp. 213-218, 1989.

Okano M, Thiele GM, Gross TG, Davis JR and Purtilo DT:  Different cell susceptibility to Epstein-Barr virus infection in a patient with X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome.  In:  Epstein-Barr Virus and Human Disease II, G.R. Pearson, D. Ablashi, and M. Nonoyama (eds.).  Humana Press, Clifton, pp. 303-306, 1989.

Okano M, Thiele GM, Taguchi Y, Purtilo DT, Ata T, Mizuno F, Osato T, Takahashi  Y, Nakanishi M, Ariga T, Watanabe T, Ishizaka A, Ojika A, Kawamura N, Tomizawa  K, Kikuta H, Sakiyama Y and Matsumoto S:  Abnormal immune responses and Epstein-Barr virus infection.  In: Viral Infection and Immunity, S. Matsumoto and K. Hara (eds.).  Medical Tribune Tokyo, pp. 7-8, 1991.

Thiele GM, Zetterman RK and Klassen LW:  Autoimmune Manifestations and Alcoholic Liver Disease.  In: Autoimmune Liver Disease, Second Edition, R.H. Wiesner and M. Nishioka (eds.).  Elsevier Science BV, Amsterdam, pp 599-626, 1998.

Thiele GM, Tuma DJ and Klassen LW: Alcohol, Anesthetics, and Analgesics in Autoimmune Reactivity.  In: Pathogenic Autoimmune Reactions, S. Paul (ed.).  The Humana Press, Inc., Totowa, NJ, pp1-25, 1998.  SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1

Worrall S and Thiele GM: Modification of Proteins by Reactive Ethanol Metabolites: Adduct Structure, Functional and Pathological Consequences.  In: Comprehensive Handbook of Alcohol Related Pathology, Volume 3. V.R. Preedy and R.R. Watson (eds.).  Academic Press (Elsevier Science), Amsterdam, pp 1209-1222, 2004.

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• PREVIOUS GRADUATE STUDENTS/POST-DOCTORAL FELLOWS (present location):

A.  Aided Allen Gee, M.D., Ph.D. work toward his Ph.D. during his graduate work.  While I was not on his committee, Allen spent 10-15 hours per week in our laboratory.

B.  On graduate student committee for:

1)  Patti Jareo, Ph.D. from Creighton University as an outside member.  Received her degree December 1995.  Currently teaching in a small college in North Dakota.

2)  Jeffrey Henrickson, Ph.D. student from Creighton University as an outside member of his committee.  Received his degree May 1997.  Currently teaching at Creighton University.

3)  Advisor to Monte S. Willis, M.D./Ph.D. student at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.  Received his Ph.D. December 2000, and his M.D. May of 2001.  Was the Sponsor for his NIAAA Fellowship that paid his Graduate and Medical School tuition and costs.  He was also paid a stipend.  Currently he is a Resident in Clinical Pathology at the University of Texas at Southwestern.

4)  Advisor to Michael J. Duryee, M.S. student at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.  MSIA.  Received his M.S. degree in May of 2002.

5)  Jodi Gubin-Jurgens, Ph.D. student at the University of Nebraska Medical Center-Department of Pathology and Microbiology.  I was the Chairman of a special committee to enable her to finish her degree after a grievance was filed.  Finished her degree in April 1999.  Currently working for the University of Rhode Island.

6)  Bob Buresh, Ph.D. student at the University of Nebraska Medical Center; Department of Physical Therapy.  Member of the Committee.

7)  David Rogers, M.S. student at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, MSIA Program.  Member of the committee.

8)  Tiana Curry-McCoy, Ph.D. student at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Department of Pathology and Microbiology.  Member of the Committee.

9)  Adam Pitz, Ph.D. student from Creighton University.  Member of the Committee.   

C.  Outside reader for Roy Nicholls’ thesis.  He was a graduate student in Australia, and I was asked to review his dissertation to determine whether it was sufficient for his degree.  June 1998.  Currently working on his degree in Physical Therapy.

D.  Outside reader of James Dunn’s comprehensive examination.  October 1998.  Finished his degree in June of 2001.

E.  Outside reader for Helen Pennington’s thesis.  She was a graduate student in Australia, and I was asked to review her dissertation to determine whether it was sufficient for her degree.  January 1999.  Currently doing her post-doctoral work in South Africa.

F.  Outside examiner for the Qualifying Comprehensive Examination of Mahefatiana Andrianifahanana in the Department of Biochemistry/Molecular Biology.  May of 2002.

G.  Mentor to Laura D. Bilek, PT, Ph.D. on her recently awarded Arthritis Foundation New Investigator Grant.  Began June of 2002. 10.     Mentor for Bryan T. Klassen during his research rotation for the Nellie House Craven Scholarship.  June 2002 - May 2004.

H.  Outside reader for Tony Treloar’s thesis.  He is a graduate student in Australia, and I was asked to review his dissertation to determine whether it was sufficient for his degree. May 2003.

I.   Outside reader for Robert Tuwesigye Kinobe’s thesis.  He is a graduate student in Australia, and I was asked to review his dissertation to determine whether it was sufficient for his degree. May 2003.

J.   Outside reader on the Comprehensive Examination for Abdelkader Ashour, a Graduate Student in Biochemistry at UNMC.  May 2005.

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Our work is through the VA Alcohol Core Center at the Omaha VA Medical Center and the University of Nebraska Medical Center. There are two areas of general interest:

Immunology of Aldehyde-Modified Proteins The aim of this research is to examine the potential role of the immune system to respond to aldehyde-modified proteins. Specifically, to investigate the antibody and T cell responses to these adducts in relation to the development and/or progression of alcohol liver disease. This research is supported by funds through the NIAAA and the VA Merit Review system.

The Effects of Aldehyde-Modified Proteins on Liver Endothelial Cells The aim of this research is to investigate the response of liver endothelial cells to aldehyde-modified proteins. Particular attention is focused on the modulation of adhesion molecules, cytokine, and fibronectin secretion following exposure to these modified proteins. The relationship of these parameters to alcohol liver disease is also being investigated. This research is supported by funds through the NIAAA.

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• SPECIALIZED LABORATORY/CLINICAL RESEARCH RESOURCES:

FACSVantage flow cytometer and FACScan are located at the Omaha VA and operated by Charles Kuszynski, Ph.D. in conjunction with the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

A number of different types of microscopes (fluorescent, inverted, fluorescent-inverted, etc) are available.

Proteomics unit (SELDI-TOF) under the direction of our laboratory.

Proteomics unit (SELDI-TOF) under the direction of our laboratory. 

Real-time PCR unit from ABI Systems 

HPLC from Varian with autosampler

Samples from patients with rheumatoid arthritis have been compiled and stored for studies that have been initiated with James R. O’Dell, M.D. and Ted Mikuls, M.D.

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