Joost J. Oppenheim, Chief of the Laboratory of Molecular Immunoregulation at NCI, NIH to present on Regulation of T Regulatory Cells, January 28, 2008

Dr. Oppenheim has done many pioneering studies of cytokines including IL-1 and participated in the patented discoveries of interleukin-8 and MCP-1. His discovery of cytokines has given him the nickname “Father of Cytokines”. Dr. Oppenheim has published well over 550 papers (includes books, chapters, reprints and reviews) during his impressive career. Dr. Joost J. Oppenheim along Dr. Scott Durum instigated the founding of the International Cytokine Society in 1993

The topic Dr. Oppenheim will be presenting on is Regulation of T Regulatory Cells. Dr. Oppenheim is currently studying the structure-function relationships of chemoattractant cytokines. His studies are focused on the effects of chemokines and downstream effector molecules such as defensins and cathelicidin LL-37 on innate and adaptive immunity, the regulation of angiogenesis by chemokines, and identification of chemokine inhibitors present in medicinal plant extracts and herbal preparation.

Dr. Oppenheim has also been investigating the “cross-talk” resulting in phosphorylation and mutual inactivation of chemokine and opioid receptors. This results in bidirectional desensitization of the receptors and provides a mechanism by which opioids can suppress the activities of proinflammatory chemokines. Conversely, chemokines can suppress opioid receptor functions thus presumably contributing to the increased perception of pain associated with inflammation.

The conference will also feature presentations from Alba Therapeutics, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Biogen-Idec, ChemoCentryx, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Cleveland Clinic, FDA CDER, Genentech, Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation, Hôpital Edouard Herriot, McGill University, MedImmune, Merck, Merck-Serono, NIH, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, Roche Palo Alto, Schering Plough, St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital, University of Glasgow, University Medical Center Utrecht, and University of Massachusetts Medical School. The full agenda is available online at www.gtcbio.com.

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