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Faculty Profile Last Modified Time: 11:22:55 AM Mon, 30 Mar 2020   Contact Information Jeffrey Actor Associated Profiles  Professor, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UT Health Science Center at Houston   Medical School Building, Room No.: 2.214    Jeffrey.K.Actor@uth.tmc.edu     713.500.5344    Web Link    Immunology, Host Immune Responses during Parasitic Disease, Proinflammatory and Regulatory Cytokines, Mycobacterial Infections, Quantitative Bioluminescent RT-PCR, Vaccine Development    Associated Profiles Professional Preparation Research and Expertise Affiliations Appointments  Professional Preparation  Degree Major Institution Year  PhD Molecular and Cellular Biology University of Massachusetts 1991  Research and Expertise Research Interests   Our research interests are directed at understanding the host immune regulation of cytokines and proinflammatory response during parasitic infections. We developed and characterized models of tuberculosis in susceptible and resistant mice using modified MTB organisms. It is our hope that understanding the host response to infectious agents will allow development of effective vaccines and therapeutics to combat these diseases. We have a strong collaboration with investigators in the Department of Pathology. The laboratory goals also include development of bovine and human Lactoferrin as a vaccine adjuvant to augment cell mediated immunity. Specifically, Lactoferrin as an adjuvant with BCG protects alveolar integrity upon infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying Lactoferrin effects are of great interest, including its use as an immunomodulatory agent to control inflammatory processes. To assist our goals, we have also developed a bioluminescent quantitative RT-PCR assay to reliably measure message for cytokines in small tissue samples. We utilized the great sensitivity of aequorin, a flash-type bioluminescent tag, to develop highly accurate, rapid and sensitive (attomols) quantitative PCR and RT-PCR assay to be used in a 96-well plate format. This procedure has enable us to examine in vivo events during pathogenesis. Additional research involves the use of novel non-ionic block copolymers (poloxamers) as adjuvants to direct immune responses following vaccination. These adjuvants specifically influence the development of T helper, CTL and B cell responses when administered.  Publications/Creative Works Click here to search for this faculty member's publications on PubMed.  Affiliations  Research Consortia GCC Cluster NanoX Gulf Coast Consortia Immunology Cluster  Appointments Title Department / School Institution Professor Pathology and Laboratory Medicine UT Health Science Center at Houston

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