Faculty

Ellen Puré, Ph.D

faculty photo
Professor of Pharmacology
Department: Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics
Graduate Group Affiliations

Contact information
Department of Biomedical Sciences
3800 Spruce Street
216E Vet
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Office: (215) 573-9406
Fax: (215) 573-6810
Lab: (215) 573-9405
Education:
A.B. (Biology)
Washington University, 1977.
Ph.D. (Immunology)
UT Southwestern Medical School, 1981.
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Description of Research Expertise

Tumor Microenvironment
Cellular and molecular basis of inflammation and fibrosis

Key words: inflammation, fibrosis, extracellular matrix, mouse genetics, ageing, dynamic macromolecular complexes, cell polarity, alternative splicing

This laboratory is studying the cellular and molecular basis of inflammation and fibrosis, with a particular focus on the role of stromal cells and extracellular matrix (ECM), in the context of chronic inflammatory diseases and cancer. The molecular pathways currently being studied include the adhesion receptor CD44 and its principle ligand, hyaluronan, and fibroblast activation protein (FAP), a stromal cell surface protease. Studies of CD44 and FAP are being conducted in mouse models of cancer, cardiovascular disease and pulmonary fibrosis using conditional CD44 knockout mice and FAP-null mice generated in the lab. Also the FAP promoter has been exploited to generate mice that can be used to non-invasively image reactive stromal cells in fibrotic lesions and epithelial-derived tumors, to conditionally ablate reactive stromal cells, and to manipulate gene expression specifically in fibrotic lesions and tumor stromal cells. We are studying the impact of matrix modification on cell behavior directly through regulation of receptor mediated signal transduction as well as through modulation of tissue stiffness. We are also exploring the function of CD44 and FAP in human disease.

Selected Publications

Liu Shu-Lin, Bajpai Anamika, Hawthorne Elizabeth A, Bae Yongho, Castagnino Paola, Monslow James, Puré Ellen, Spiller Kara L, Assoian Richard K: Cardiovascular protection in females linked to estrogen-dependent inhibition of arterial stiffening and macrophage MMP12.[PMID 30626744] JCI insight 4(1), Jan 2019.

Kimura Toru, Monslow James, Klampatsa Astero, Leibowitz Michael, Sun Jing, Liousia Maria, Woodruff Patrick, Moon Edmund, Todd Leslie, Pure Ellen, Albelda Steven M: Loss of cells expressing Fibroblast Activation Protein (FAP) has variable effects in models of TGF-β and chronic bleomycin-induced fibrosis. [PMID 31188013] American journal of physiology. Lung cellular and molecular physiology Jun 2019.

Lieberman Allyson, Barrett Richard, Kim Jaewon, Zhang Kathy L, Avery Diana, Monslow James, Kim Hyunsoo, Kim Bang-Jin, Pure Ellen, Ryeom Sandra: Deletion of calcineurin promotes a pro-tumorigenic fibroblast phenotype. [PMID 31189649] Cancer research Jun 2019.

Govindaraju Priya, Todd Leslie, Shetye Snehal, Monslow James, Puré Ellen: CD44-dependent inflammation, fibrogenesis, and collagenolysis regulates extracellular matrix remodeling and tensile strength during cutaneous wound healing. [PMID 29894820] Matrix biology : journal of the International Society for Matrix Biology 75-76: 314-330, 01 2019.

Bell Brett I, Koduri Sravya, Salas Salinas Carlo, Monslow James, Puré Ellen, Ben-Josef Edgar, Koumenis Constantinos, Verginadis Ioannis I: Interleukin 6 Signaling Blockade Exacerbates Acute and Late Injury From Focal Intestinal Irradiation. [PMID 30336264] International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics 103(3): 719-727, Mar 2019.

Puré Ellen: Seeking Synergy of Checkpoint Blockade through TGFβ Inhibition.[PMID 30510056] Cancer immunology research 6(12): 1444, Dec 2018.

Avery Diana, Govindaraju Priya, Jacob Michele, Todd Leslie, Monslow James, Puré Ellen: Extracellular matrix directs phenotypic heterogeneity of activated fibroblasts.[PMID 29248556] Matrix biology : journal of the International Society for Matrix Biology 67: 90-106, 04 2018.

Puré Ellen, Hingorani Sunil R: Mesenchymal Cell Plasticity and Perfidy in Epithelial Malignancy. [PMID 29606311] Trends in cancer 4(4): 273-277, 04 2018.

Puré Ellen, Blomberg Rachel: Pro-tumorigenic roles of fibroblast activation protein in cancer: back to the basics. [PMID 29720723] Oncogene 37(32): 4343-4357, 08 2018.

Raposo-Ferreira Talita M M, Brisson Becky K, Durham Amy C, Laufer-Amorim Renee, Kristiansen Veronica, Puré Ellen, Volk Susan W, Sorenmo Karin: Characteristics of the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Primary and Paired Metastatic Canine Mammary Carcinomas. [PMID 29788797] Veterinary pathology 55(5): 622-633, 09 2018.

Krolikoski Mia, Monslow James, Puré Ellen: The CD44-HA axis and inflammation in atherosclerosis: A temporal perspective. [PMID 29792915] Matrix biology : journal of the International Society for Matrix Biology May 2018.

Cremasco Viviana, Astarita Jillian L, Grauel Angelo L, Keerthivasan Shilpa, MacIsaac Kenzie, Woodruff Matthew C, Wu Michael, Spel Lotte, Santoro Stephen, Amoozgar Zohreh, Laszewski Tyler, Migoni Sara Cruz, Knoblich Konstantin, Fletcher Anne L, LaFleur Martin, Wucherpfennig Kai W, Pure Ellen, Dranoff Glenn, Carroll Michael C, Turley Shannon J: FAP Delineates Heterogeneous and Functionally Divergent Stromal Cells in Immune-Excluded Breast Tumors. [PMID 30266714 ] Cancer immunology research 6(12): 1472-1485, Dec 2018.

Case, A., Brisson, B. K., Durham, A. C., Rosen, S., Monslow, J., Buza, E., Salah, P., Gillem, J., Ruthel, G., Veluvolu, S., Kristiansen, V., Puré, E., Brown, D. C., Sørenmo, K. U., Volk, S. W.: Identification of prognostic collagen signatures and potential therapeutic stromal targets in canine mammary gland carcinoma [PMID 28683102] PLoS One 12(7): e0180448, 2017.

Lo Albert, Li Chung-Pin, Buza Elizabeth L, Blomberg Rachel, Govindaraju Priya, Avery Diana, Monslow James, Hsiao Michael, Puré Ellen: Fibroblast activation protein augments progression and metastasis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. [PMID 28978805] JCI insight 2(19), 10 2017.

Kumar Vinit, Donthireddy Laxminarasimha, Marvel Douglas, Condamine Thomas, Wang Fang, Lavilla-Alonso Sergio, Hashimoto Ayumi, Vonteddu Prashanthi, Behera Reeti, Goins Marlee A, Mulligan Charles, Nam Brian, Hockstein Neil, Denstman Fred, Shakamuri Shanti, Speicher David W, Weeraratna Ashani T, Chao Timothy, Vonderheide Robert H, Languino Lucia R, Ordentlich Peter, Liu Qin, Xu Xiaowei, Lo Albert, Puré Ellen, Zhang Chunsheng, Loboda Andrey, Sepulveda Manuel A, Snyder Linda A, Gabrilovich Dmitry I: Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Neutralize the Anti-tumor Effect of CSF1 Receptor Blockade by Inducing PMN-MDSC Infiltration of Tumors. [PMID 29136508] Cancer cell 32(5): 654-668.e5, 11 2017.

Razinia Ziba, Castagnino Paola, Xu Tina, Vázquez-Salgado Alexandra, Puré Ellen, Assoian Richard K: Stiffness-dependent motility and proliferation uncoupled by deletion of CD44.[PMID 29184125] Scientific reports 7(1): 16499, Nov 2017.

Lo, A., Li, C. P., Buza, E. L., Blomberg, R., Govindaraju, P., Avery, D., Monslow, J., Hsiao, M., Puré, E.: Fibroblast activation protein augments progression and metastasis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma [PMID 28978805] JCI Insight 2(19), 2017.

Katlinski, K. V., Gui, J., Katlinskaya, Y. V., Ortiz, A., Chakraborty, R., Bhattacharya, S., Carbone, C. J., Beiting, D. P., Girondo, M. A., Peck, A. R., Puré, E., Chatterji, P., Rustgi, A. K., Diehl, J. A., Koumenis, C., Rui, H., Fuchs, S. Y.: Inactivation of Interferon Receptor Promotes the Establishment of Immune Privileged Tumor Microenvironment [PMID 28196594] Cancer Cell 31(2): 194-207, 2017.

Puré E, Lo A.: Masters In Immunology: Can targeting stroma pave the way to enhanced antitumor immunity and immunotherapy of solid tumors? [PMID 27036971] Cancer Immunology Research 4(4): 269-278, April 2016.

Tang SY, Monslow J, R Grant G, Todd L, Pawelzik SC, Chen L, Lawson J, Puré E, FitzGerald GA.: Cardiovascular consequences of prostanoid I receptor deletion in microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1-deficient hyperlipidemic mice. [PMID 27440004] Circulation 26: 134(4):328-38. Jul 2016.

Newick K, O'Brien S, Sun J, Kapoor V, Maceyko S, Lo A, Puré E, Moon E, Albelda SM.: Augmentation of CAR T-cell trafficking and antitumor efficacy by blocking protein kinase A localization. [PMID 27045023] Cancer Immunology Research 4(6): 541-551, June 2016.

Brisson BK, Mauldin EA, Lei W, Vogel LK, Power AM, Lo A, Dopkin D, Khanna C, Wells RG, Puré E, Volk SW.: Type III collagen directs stromal organization and limits metastasis in a murine model of breast cancer. [PMID 25795282] American Journal of Pathology 185(5): 1471-86, May 2015.

Fan MH, Zhu Q, Li HH, Ra HJ, Majumdar S, Gulick DL, Jerome JA, Madsen DH, Christofidou-Solomidou M, Speicher DW, Bachovchin WW, Feghali-Bostwick C, Puré E.: Fibroblast Activation Protein (FAP) Accelerates Collagen Degradation and Clearance from the Lung in Mice. [PMID 26663085] Journal of Biological Chemistry 291(15): 8070-8089, April 2015.

Wang E, Wang LC, Tsai CY, Bhoj V, Gershenson Z, Moon E, Newick K, Sun J, Lo A, Baradet T, Feldman MD, Barrett D, Puré E, Albelda S, Milone MC.: Generation of potent T-cell immunotherapy for cancer using DAP12-based, multichain, chimeric immunoreceptors. [PMID 25941351] Cancer Immunology Research 3(7): 815-826, Jul 2015.

Lo A, Wang LS, Scholler J, Monslow J, Avery D, Newick K, O'Brien, Evans RA, Bajor DJ, Clendenin C, Durham AC, Buza EL, Vonderheide RH, June CH, Albelda SM, Puré E: Tumor-promoting desmoplasia is disrupted by depleting FAP-expressing stromal cells. [PMID 25979873] Cancer Research 15(75): 2800-2810, July 2015.

Chopra, A., M.E. Murray, D.R.-B. Aroush, M. Menendez, D. Restle, P.A. Galie, F. Byfield, R. Bucki, C., Marcinkiewicz, G.D. Prestwich, T. Zarembinski, C.S. Chen, E. Puré, J.Y. Kresh, P.A. Janmey: Augmentation of integrin-mediated mechanotransduction by hyaluronic acid. [PMID 24120037] Biomaterials 35(1): 71-82, 2014.

Murty S, Gilliland T, Qiao P, Tabtieng T, Higbee E, Al Zaki A, Puré E, Tsourkas A.: Nanoparticles functionalized with collagenase exhibit improved tumor accumulation in a murine xenograft model. [PMID 26380538] Particle & Particle Systems Characterization 31(12): 1307-1312, Dec 2014.

Bae YH, Mui KL, Hsu BY, Liu SL, Cretu A, Razinia Z, Xu T, Puré E, Assoian RK.: A FAK-Cas-Rac-lamellipodin signaling module transduces extracellular matrix stiffness into mechanosensitive cell cycling stiffness and mechanosensitive cell proliferation [PMID 24939893] Science Signaling 7(330), 2014.

Moon EK, Wang LC, Dolfi DV, Wilson CB, Ranganathan R, Sun J, Kapoor V, Scholler J, Puré E, Milone MC, June CH, Riley JL, Wherry EJ, Albelda SM.: Multifactorial T cell hypofunction that is reversible can limit the efficacy of chimeric antigen receptor transduced human T cells [PMID 24919573] Clinical Cancer Research 20(16): 4262-4273, Aug 2014.

Kothapalli,D.*, S.-L. Liu *, Y.H. Bao, J. Monslow, T. Xu, E.A. Hawthorne, F.J. Byfield, P. Castagnino, S. Rao, D.J. Rader, E. Puré, M.C. Phillips, S. Lund-Katz, P.A. Janmey and R.K. Assoian. : Cardiovascular protection by apoE and apoE-HDL linked to suppression of ECM gene expression and arterial stiffening. [PMID 23103162] Cell Rep 2: 1259-71, 2012.

Wang LC, Lo A, Scholler J, Sun J, Majumdar RS, Kapoor V, Antzis M, Cotner CE, Johnson LA, Durham AC, Solomides CC, June CH, Puré E, Albelda SM.: Targeting fibroblast activation protein in tumor stroma with Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells can inhibit tumor growth and augment host immunity without severe toxicity. [PMID 24778279 ] Cancer Immunol Res 2(2): 154-166, Feb 2013.

Eisinger-Mathason, T.S.K., M. Zhang, Q. Qiu, N. Skuli, M.S. Nakazawa, T. Karakasheva, C. Mucaj, J.E.S. Shay, L. Stangenberg, E. Puré, S.S. Yoon, D.G. Kirsch, M.C. Simon. : Hypoxia-dependent modification of the collagen highway drives sarcoma metastasis. Cancer Discovery 3(10): 1190-205, 2013.

Tchou, J., P.J. Zhang, Y.T. Bi., C. Satija, R. Majumdar, T.L. Stephen, H.Y. Chen, C. Mies, M. Herlyn, J. Conejo-Garcia, C.H. June and E. Puré. : Fibroblast activation protein expression by stromal cells and tumor-associated macrophages in human breast cancer. [PMID 24074532] Human Pathology 44(11): 2549-57, 2013.

Licciulli, S., J.L. Avila, L. Hanlon, S. Kota, S. Troutman, M. Cessaroni, B. Keith, M. C. Simon, E. Puré, F. Radke, A.J. Capobianco and J.L. Kissil. : Notch1 is required for Kras-induced lung adenocarcinoma and controls tumor cell survival via p53. [PMID 23943799] Cancer Research 73(19): 5974-84, 2013.

Isakson PC, Pure E, Vitetta ES, Krammer PH: Pillars article: T cell-derived B cell differentiation factor(s). Effect on the isotype switch of murine B cells. [PMID 23335801] J Exp Med 155: 734-748, 2013.

El-Dakdouki M.H., E. Puré, Huang X: Development of drug loaded nanoparticles for tumor targeting. Part 2: Enhancement of tumor penetration through receptor mediated transcytosis in 3D tumor models. [PMID 23549322] Nanoscale 5(9): 3904-11, 2013.

El-Dakdouki, M.H., E. Puré, X. Huang: Development of drug loaded nanoparticles for tumor targeting. Part 1: synthesis, characterization, and biological evaluation in 2D cell cultures. [PMID 23529646] Nanoscale 5(9): 3895-903, 2013.

Song Wen-Liang, Stubbe Jane, Ricciotti Emanuela, Alamuddin Naji, Ibrahim Salam, Crichton Irene, Prempeh Maxwell, Lawson John A, Wilensky Robert L, Rasmussen Lars Melholt, Puré Ellen, Fitzgerald Garret A: Niacin and biosynthesis of PGD2 by platelet COX-1 in mice and humans. [PMID 22406532] The Journal of Clinical Investigation 122: 1459-1468, 2012.

Tchou, J., A.V. Kossenkov, L. Chang, C. Satija, M. Herlyn, L.C. Showe and E. Puré. : Human breast cancer associated fibroblasts exhibit subtype specific gene expression profiles. [PMID 22954256] BMC Med Genom 5(39), 2012.

Yu,Z., Crichton,I., Tang,S.Y., Hui,Y., Pure,E., FitzGerald,G.A.: Disruption of the 5-lipoxygenase pathway attenuates atherogenesis consequent to COX-2 deletion in mice [PMID 22493243] Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 2012 Notes: In Press.

Yu, Y., Ricciotti, E., Scalia, R., Tang, S.Y., Grant, G., Yu, Z., Landesberg, G., Crichton, I., Wu, W.,Puré, E., Funk, C.D. and G.A. FitzGerald: Vascular COX-2 modulates blood pressure and thrombosis in mice [PMID 22553252] Science Translational Medicine 2012.

Kinder, M.,C. Wei, S.G. Shelat, M. Kundu, L. Zhao, I.A. Blair, E. Puré : Hematopoietic stem cell function requires 12/15-Lipoxygenase-dependent fatty acid metabolism [PMID 20357242] Blood 115(24): 5012-22, Jun 2010.

Kinder, M. J. Thompson, C. Wei, S. Shelat, I. Blair, M. Carroll and E. Puré: Irf-8-driven myeloid differentiation is regulated by 12/15-lipoxygenase-mediated redox signaling [PMID 20647030] Experimental Hematology 38(11): 1036-1046, Nov 2010.

Hui, Y., E. Ricciotti, I. Crichton, Z. Yu, D. Wang, J. Stubbe, D. Wang, M. Wang, E. Puré, and G. A. FitzGerald : Targeted deletions of COX-2 and atherogenesis in mice [PMID 20530000] Circulation 121: 2654-2660, 2010.

Santos, A.M., J. Jung, N Aziz, J.L. Kissil and E. Puré: Targeting fibroblast activation protein inhibits tumor stromagenesis and growth [PMID 19920354] J. Clin. Inv. 119(12): 3613-25, Dec 2009.

Middleton, M.K., A.M. Zukas, T. Rubinstein, E. Wilson, P. Ahu, I. Blair, K. Masek, C. Hunter and E.Puré: 12/15-lipoxygenase mediated cytokine production in infiltrating macrophages is required for protection against chronic toxoplasma encephalitis. Infection and Immunity 2009.

Jacob,M., Todd,L.A., Majumdar,R.S., Li,Y., Yamamoto,K.I., Pure,E.: Endogenous cAbl regulates receptor endocytosis [PMID 19344757] Cellular Signalling 21(8): 1308-1316, Aug 2009.

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Last updated: 12/05/2023
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