Medical Student Research Fellowship for Summer 2006

Mentor: Hassan Alizadeh
Department: Ophthalmology
Room number: E7.138
Mail Code: 9057
Phone number: 214-648-4732
E-mail: Hassan.Alizadeh@UTSouthwestern.edu
Project title: Characterization of the soluble factors produced by human amniotic epithelial cells that inhibit macrophage and neutrophil chemotactic activity in vitro.

Human subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable):

Animal subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable):

Project Type (patient-based research, animal-based research, or basic research; this characterization is only to permit a general classification for grouping similar types of projects) Basic research

Brief Description of Project: Amniotic membrane has been applied to the ocular surface to restore corneal function. The beneficial effect of amniotic membrane transplantation may be due to the immunosuppressive effects of amniotic epithelial cells. The aim of this study was to determine whether amniotic epithelial cells (AEC) secrete anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative factors that affect the chemotaxis of neutrophils and macrophages, and suppress both T and B cell proliferation in vitro.

Previous Research Activities or Publications with Medical Students:

He, Y.G., Alizadeh, H., Kinoshita, K., McCulley, J.P. Experimental transplantation of cultured limbal and amniotic epithelial cells onto the corneal surface. Cornea. 18:570-579, 1999.
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Li, H., Niederkorn, J.Y., Neelam, S., Mayhew. E., Word, R.N., McCulley, J.P., and Alizadeh, H. Immunosuppressive Effect of Culture Supernatant from Human Amniotic Epithelial Cells. Invest Ophthalmol & Vis Sci. 46:900-907, 2005.

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