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Yasuhiro Suzuki, PhD, DMSc
Associate Professor
Molecular Immunology
Department of Biomedical Sciences & Pathobiology
Virginia Tech
1410 Prices Fork Rd.
Blacksburg, VA 24061
ysuzuki@vt.edu
EDUCATION:
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1976 B.S., University of Tokyo, Japan (Pharmaceutical Sciences)
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1982 Ph.D., University of Tokyo, Japan (Immunology)
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1989 D.M.Sc., Jikei University School of Medicine, Japan (Infection and Immunity)
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RESEARCH INTERESTS:
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My laboratory has been investigating the mechanism of host-pathogen interactions in infection with Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite. Our recent focus of research is the molecular immunopathogenesis of cerebral toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmic encephalitis (TE) has been a major opportunistic infectious disease in immunocompromised patients, such as those with AIDS and organ transplant recipients. In addition, TE is an excellent model for analyzing the mechanism of host defense in the brain. We have developed murine models of TE and found three factors critical in determining the host resistance to this disease. These are: IFN-g-mediated immune response, the genetic background of the host, and the strain of T. gondii. We are trying to obtain understanding of the molecular basis of host resistance to development of TE, by defining how the IFN-g-mediated immune response functions in the brain and how the genetic background of the host and the strain of T. gondii affect the immune response.
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RECENT PUBLICATIONS:
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Wang X, Suzuki Y. Microglia produce IFN-gamma independently from T cells during acute toxoplasmosis in the brain. J Interferon Cytokine Res. 2007 Jul;27(7):599-605.
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Wang X, Michie SA, Xu B, Suzuki Y. Importance of IFN-gamma-mediated expression of endothelial VCAM-1 on recruitment of CD8+ T cells into the brain during chronic infection with Toxoplasma gondii. J Interferon Cytokine Res. 2007 Apr;27(4):329-38.
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Carruthers VB, Suzuki Y. Effects of Toxoplasma gondii infection on the brain. Schizophr Bull. 2007 May;33(3):745-51. Epub 2007 Feb 23.
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