Faculty
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Division of Basic Science
Fabio Romerio, Ph.D
Assistant Professor, UMBI
Laboratory of Molecular Immunobiology
fromerio@ihv.umaryland.edu
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Profile |
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Our laboratory investigates the role of type I interferons -IFN-alpha and IFN-beta- in the regulation of immune cell function and immune response. We use cellular and molecular approaches to investigate the mechanisms of IFN action in primary cells and cell lines of hematopoietic lineage.
The major area of research in the laboratory is the role of IFN-alpha in AIDS pathogenesis. Persistent over-production of IFN-alpha during HIV infection contributes to disease progression. This research project seeks to identify the mechanism responsible for IFN-alpha over-expression and IFN-mediated immune suppression, with the final objective of designing new therapeutic strategies.
Our laboratory also investigates the role of IFN-alpha in cell proliferation. IFN-alpha inhibits proliferation of several cell types, and is used in clinical practice for the treatment of cancer -including malignancies of hematopoietic origin. This project aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms of this phenomenon in the context of both normal and leukemic cells, with the goal of identifying new targets for anti-cancer treatment.
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Education |
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Ph.D., - University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
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Post-doctoral Fellowships: IGBE-CNR, Pavia, Italy; Institute of Human Virology, UMBI, Baltimore, Maryland. |
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Selected Publications |
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1. |
Zella D, Barabitskaja O, Casareto L, Romerio F, Secchiero P, Reitz MS Jr, Gallo RC, Weichold FF. Recombinant IFN-alpha (2b) increases the expression of apoptosis receptor CD95 and chemokine receptors CCR1 and CCR3 in monocytoid cells. J Immunol. 1999 163:3169-75. |
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Romerio F, Gallo RC. Novel biologic approaches for the treatment of AIDS. J Lab Clin Med. 1999 134:577-84. |
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Zella D, Romerio F, Curreli S, Secchiero P, Cicala C, Zagury D, Gallo RC. IFN-alpha 2b reduces IL-2 production and IL-2 receptor function in primary CD4+ T cells. J Immunol. 2000 164:2296-302. |
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Romerio F, Riva A, Zella D. Interferon-alpha2b reduces phosphorylation and activity of MEK and ERK through a Ras/Raf-independent mechanism. Br J Cancer. 2000 83:532-8. |
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Romerio F, Zella D. MEK and ERK inhibitors enhance the anti-proliferative effect of interferon-alpha2b. FASEB J. 2002 16:1680-2. |
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Lab Members
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Song Li, M.D., Ph.D. |
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Luisa Bozzo, Ph.D. |
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Clinical Trials
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Click here to visit the Clinical Trials section of our site. |
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