Rupali Das

Editorial Board Member

Microbiology and Immunology
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, USA

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Department / University Information

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Biography

"Dr. Rupali Das is affiliated to Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Dr. Rupali Das is currently providing services as Assistant Professor. Dr. Rupali Das has authored and co-authored multiple peer-reviewed scientific papers and presented works at many national and International conferences. Dr. Rupali Das contributions have acclaimed recognition from honourable subject experts around the world. Dr. Rupali Das is actively associated with different societies and academies. Dr. Rupali Das academic career is decorated with several reputed awards and funding. Dr. Rupali Das research interests include Several recurrent or refractory cancers are often resistant to standard chemotherapies and patients demonstrate poor tolerance of treatment due to organ dysfunction and increased susceptibility to infection. To improve the outcomes for patients with difficult-to-manage cancers, my laboratory will develop alternative therapeutic approaches that capitalize on the anti-tumor functions of invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells, innate-type lipid-reactive T lymphocytes that express a common or ""invariant"" T cell receptor (iTCR) that confers specificity for glycolipid antigens presented by the MHC class 1-like molecule CD1d. Following iTCR engagement, iNKT cells rapidly secrete TH1 and TH2-type cytokines and up-regulate the expression of co-stimulatory molecules. Via these mechanisms, iNKT cells induce dendritic cell (DC) maturation and enhance the functions of numerous other types of immune cells including NK, T and B cells. As such, iNKT cells participate in many aspects of host immunity, including protection against cancer. iNKT cells mediate their anti-tumor activity via multiple mechanisms. Their dominant mode of action involves the transactivation of other cytolytic effectors such as CD8+T and NK cells. In addition to their immune-stimulatory functions, iNKT cells also function as cytotoxic effectors. Maximal tumor-directed iNKT cell responses require tumor cell expression of CD1d. However, many tumors down-regulate CD1d and thus evade iNKT cell recognition. To circumvent this critical barrier, we will use innovative approaches to direct iNKT cells to the site of cancers in a tumor antigen-specific yet CD1d-independent manner. These studies are significant because they will facilitate a better understanding of how to harness the anti-tumor activities of iNKT cells in a clinically relevant manner to improve the cure rate for people with cancer. Efforts are underway to manipulate iNKT cell functions therapeutically for cancer and other diseases. However, before these efforts can be fully realized, it is necessary to define how iNKT cells recognize and respond to targets, including malignant or infected cells. It has been recognized for over a decade that iNKT cells kill activated, infected or malignant cells. Despite this fact, little is known about the signals that promote TCR-induced iNKT cell killing or the factors that support functional interactions between iNKT cells and their tumor targets. Furthermore, there exist almost no data regarding the kinetics and molecular organization of the immunologic synapse (IS) that is formed upon contact of iNKT cells with the target cells. To provide insights into these fundamental processes, my laboratory will use an innovative approach that combines state-of-the-art techniques including confocal microscopy and live animal imaging. These approaches will be used in conjunction with more traditional biochemical and immunological assays to assess the role of immune-receptors and adaptor proteins in iNKT cell killing. The successful completion of these studies will further our understanding of iNKT cell biology and help identify ways in which the cytotoxic function of these cells could be enhanced to augment host immunity to cancer.."

Research Interest

Several recurrent or refractory cancers are often resistant to standard chemotherapies and patients demonstrate poor tolerance of treatment due to organ dysfunction and increased susceptibility to infection. To improve the outcomes for patients with difficult-to-manage cancers, my laboratory will develop alternative therapeutic approaches that capitalize on the anti-tumor functions of invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells, innate-type lipid-reactive T lymphocytes that express a common or "invariant" T cell receptor (iTCR) that confers specificity for glycolipid antigens presented by the MHC class 1-like molecule CD1d. Following iTCR engagement, iNKT cells rapidly secrete TH1 and TH2-type cytokines and up-regulate the expression of co-stimulatory molecules. Via these mechanisms, iNKT cells induce dendritic cell (DC) maturation and enhance the functions of numerous other types of immune cells including NK, T and B cells. As such, iNKT cells participate in many aspects of host immunity, including protection against cancer. iNKT cells mediate their anti-tumor activity via multiple mechanisms. Their dominant mode of action involves the transactivation of other cytolytic effectors such as CD8+T and NK cells. In addition to their immune-stimulatory functions, iNKT cells also function as cytotoxic effectors. Maximal tumor-directed iNKT cell responses require tumor cell expression of CD1d. However, many tumors down-regulate CD1d and thus evade iNKT cell recognition. To circumvent this critical barrier, we will use innovative approaches to direct iNKT cells to the site of cancers in a tumor antigen-specific yet CD1d-independent manner. These studies are significant because they will facilitate a better understanding of how to harness the anti-tumor activities of iNKT cells in a clinically relevant manner to improve the cure rate for people with cancer. Efforts are underway to manipulate iNKT cell functions therapeutically for cancer and other diseases. However, before these efforts can be fully realized, it is necessary to define how iNKT cells recognize and respond to targets, including malignant or infected cells. It has been recognized for over a decade that iNKT cells kill activated, infected or malignant cells. Despite this fact, little is known about the signals that promote TCR-induced iNKT cell killing or the factors that support functional interactions between iNKT cells and their tumor targets. Furthermore, there exist almost no data regarding the kinetics and molecular organization of the immunologic synapse (IS) that is formed upon contact of iNKT cells with the target cells. To provide insights into these fundamental processes, my laboratory will use an innovative approach that combines state-of-the-art techniques including confocal microscopy and live animal imaging. These approaches will be used in conjunction with more traditional biochemical and immunological assays to assess the role of immune-receptors and adaptor proteins in iNKT cell killing. The successful completion of these studies will further our understanding of iNKT cell biology and help identify ways in which the cytotoxic function of these cells could be enhanced to augment host immunity to cancer.

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