Faculty

Peter J. Felsburg

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Contact information
Room 4035 Ryan
3900 Delancey Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Office: (215) 898-3527
Fax: (215) 898-3662
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Description of Research Expertise

Research Interest

Role of the common gamma chain in lymphoid development and function, and immune reconstitution following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and gene therapy.

Research Summary

OOur laboratory has identified and characterized an X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (XSCID) in dogs which is due to mutations in the common gamma (gc) subunit of the IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, IL-15 and IL-21 receptors. Canine XSCID, unlike genetically engineered gc-deficient mice, has a clinical and immunologic phenotype virtually identical to human XSCID. It appears that species-specific differences exist in the role of the gc and its associated cytokines in mice compared to their role in humans and dogs suggesting gc-deficient dogs may be a more relevant model for studying the role of the gc in man.

A central role for the gc, and the cytokines with which it interacts, in T cell development is demonstrated by the profound T cell defect in human and canine XSCID. However, since limited T cell development does occur in human and canine XSCID, we are investigating how T cell development occurs independent of a functional gc. We have also shown, using gnotobiotic XSCID dogs, that environmental stimuli influence gc-independent pathways of T cell development. Since gc-dependent cytokines have differing roles in human and canine B cell development than in the mouse, the XSCID dog is also being used to study the role of these cytokines in B cell development and function. We are also utilizing the model to study the role of the gc in regulating Toll-like receptor and Nod2 expression in intestinal epithelial cells.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is presently the only treatment available to cure patients with XSCID, however, the major immunologic problem in human XSCID patients following HSCT is the lack of donor B cell engraftment with resultant poor reconstitution of humoral immune function. We have shown that following HSCT of XSCID dogs, engraftment of donor B cells and reconstitution of normal humoral immune function is attained. We are using this unique model to determine which variable(s) contribute to the successful engraftment of donor B cells. We are also testing the capacity of mesenchymal stem cells transduced with IL-7 to accelerate thymopoiesis following HSCT. XSCID dogs represent an ideal large animal pre-clinical model for developing and evaluating strategies for human gene therapy. Current studies include evaluating the efficacy (quality and durability of immune reconstitution) and safety of retroviral and lentiviral gene therapy. The safety studies include integration site analysis and evaluation of potential over-expression of the gc on downstream signaling pathways.

Selected Publications

Luff Jennifer A, Yuan Hang, Kennedy Douglas, Schlegel Richard, Felsburg Peter, Moore Peter F: Keratinocyte antiviral response to Poly(dA:dT) stimulation and papillomavirus infection in a canine model of X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency. PloS one 9(7): e102033, 2014.

Burtner Christopher R, Beard Brian C, Kennedy Douglas R, Wohlfahrt Martin E, Adair Jennifer E, Trobridge Grant D, Scharenberg Andrew M, Torgerson Troy R, Rawlings David J, Felsburg Peter J, Kiem Hans-Peter: Intravenous injection of a foamy virus vector to correct canine SCID-X1. Blood 123(23): 3578-84, Jun 2014.

Kennedy Douglas R, Hartnett Brian J, Kennedy Jeffrey S, Vernau William, Moore Peter F, O'Malley Thomas, Burkly Linda C, Henthorn Paula S, Felsburg Peter J: Ex vivo γ-retroviral gene therapy of dogs with X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency and the development of a thymic T cell lymphoma. Veterinary immunology and immunopathology 142(1-2): 36-48, Jul 2011.

Boudreaux M K, Wardrop K J, Kiklevich V, Felsburg P, Snekvik K: A mutation in the canine Kindlin-3 gene associated with increased bleeding risk and susceptibility to infections. Thrombosis and haemostasis 103(2): 475-7, Feb 2010.

Kennedy Douglas R, McLellan Kyle, Moore Peter F, Henthorn Paula S, Felsburg Peter J: Effect of ex vivo culture of CD34+ bone marrow cells on immune reconstitution of XSCID dogs following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. Biology of blood and marrow transplantation : journal of the American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation 15(6): 662-70, Jun 2009.

Cruickshank S M, McVay L D, Baumgart D C, Felsburg P J, Carding S R: Colonic epithelial cell mediated suppression of CD4 T cell activation. Gut 53(5): 678-84, May 2004.

Felsburg, P.J., Hartnett, B.J., Gouthro, T.A., and Henthorn, P.S.: Thympoiesis and T cell development in common gamma chain deficient dogs. Immunol. Res. 27: 235-245, 2003.

Ting, S.S., Hartnett, B.J., Malech, H., and Felsburg, P.J.: Gene therapy in canine X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency by RD114 pseudotyped oncoretroviral vector. Blood 100: 427, 2002.

Hartnett, B.J., Yao, D., Suter, S.E., Henthorn, P.S., Moore, P.F., McSweeney, P.A., Nash, R.A., Weinberg, K.I., and Felsburg, P.J.: Transplantation of X-linked severe combined immunodeficient dogs with CD34+ bone marrow cells. Biol. Blood Marrow Transpl 8: 188-197, 2002.

Hartnett, B.J., Somberg, R.L., Krakowka, S., Ochs, H.D., and Felsburg, P.J.: B cell function in canine X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency. Vet. Immunol. Immunopathol. 75: 121-134, 2000.

Felsburg PJ, Somberg, RL, Hartnett BJ, Henthorn PS, and Carding SR: Canine X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency: a model for investigating the requirement for the common gamma chain (gc) in human lymphocyte development and function. Immunol. Res. 17: 63-73, 1998.

Felsburg P J, Somberg R L, Hartnett B J, Suter S F, Henthorn P S, Moore P F, Weinberg K I, Ochs H D: Full immunologic reconstitution following nonconditioned bone marrow transplantation for canine X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency. Blood 90(8): 3214-21, Oct 1997.

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Last updated: 10/03/2012
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