Translational Biomedical Research 2012 Seminar Series

Annette J Schlueter, MD, PhD

Monday, April 16, 2012 • NOON - 1 PM
Room 612 Institute for Genomic Biology
1206 W. Gregory Drive, Urbana

The effects of age on regulatory dendritic cell
therapy for acute graft vs. host disease

Regulatory dendritic cells (rDC) can be used to ameliorate graft versus host disease (GVHD) and allow long-term survival of young recipients who have received a complete MHC mismatch bone marrow transplant (BMT). Older individuals (and mice) who receive a BMT have a higher incidence and severity of GVHD. We have found rDC therapy to be nearly as effective for older BMT recipients as in young recipients. Our studies aim to understand the mechanism by which rDC provide this beneficial effect, whether the mechanisms differ depending on recipient age, and the feasibility of translating this therapy to clinical use.

Annette J Schlueter, MD, PhD
Associate Professor
Department of Pathology
University of Iowa

Dr. Schlueter received a B.S. in Biology/Chemistry from Valparaiso University in 1984. She obtained her M.S. (1989) and Ph.D. (1991) in Immunology as well as her M.D. (1993) from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Dr. Schlueter completed her Pathology Residency (1996) and Transfusion Medicine Fellowship (1997) at the University of Iowa College of Medicine. She joined the faculty at the University of Iowa in 1998, where she is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pathology, Assistant Medical Director at DeGowin Blood Center, and NMDP Apheresis Center Medical Director.