Elise Ishida

Email: eishida@mail.einstein.yu.edu

Phone:718-430-2971 (o)

Research interests:

1. Observational studies focused on understanding the protective role of tuberculosis (TB)-specific antibodies (Ab) in cynomolgus macaques (CMs) and humans infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb).

2. Characterizing TB-specific Ab repertoires in the lungs and blood during the course of Mtb infection in CMs and humans to inform TB vaccine design.

Current projects: My current scientific interests are focused on understanding the protective role of tuberculosis (TB)-specific antibodies (Ab). Studying the diverse TB-specific Ab repertoire of individuals infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is important for the rational design of a TB vaccine. My projects focus on the TB-specific Ab repertoires in the lungs and blood during the course of Mtb infection in Cynomolgus macaques (CMs) and humans. The observational studies utilize novel protein microarrays called nucleic acid programmable protein arrays (NAPPA) to identify the most immunogenic antigens for inducing TB-specific B-cells. NAPPA is a high throughput platform that combines microarray technology with cell free protein expression. The cDNA of ~4000 Mtb genes are printed on a microchip, then natively folded proteins with their post-translational modifications can be transcribed and translated using a human cell free expression system. Using this platform, the most important antigens that induce a TB-specific humoral response in the lung can be identified. There is an incomplete understanding of the local immune response to Mtb in the lungs because samples from patients in the primary state of infection are rarely available and BAL fluid collection is not standard for clinical diagnosis of TB. We can observe the local TB-specific Ab response at the primary state of Mtb infection with the BAL fluid samples from CM and paired bronchial and plasma samples from HIV uninfected South African adults with LTBI (n=15) and TB (n=15). The results from this project will contribute to better understanding of the humoral immune mechanisms that control Mtb infection. Subsequent experiments will be focused on critically evaluating the functional role of the TB-specific Abs in the context of their protection from TB disease.

System of Study: