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William F. Wade, Ph.D.

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Dr Wade's research has been focused on antigen presentation for over 17 years. His lab group has an interest in defining the details of how antigen enters an antigen presenting cell (APC) via Fc receptor bound complexes, and what "events" transpire that are required for antigen processing and presentation on class II molecules. These studies have matured into a detailed examination of how the signals following Fc receptor ligation influence the cell biology of the endocytic system. Events are signaled whereby incoming antigen meets de novo class II in an intracellular compartment that allows class II to bind antigen peptide. The studies are directed at understanding the role of the various signaling components (src kinases, syk kinase, PKB or PKC. etc.) of Fc receptors or IgG in enhanced antigen presentation. An extension of the signaling studies focuses on the molecular motion of class II/peptide at the plasma membrane. Dr. Wade and his colleagues have described changes in lateral and rotational diffusion of class II/peptide complexes, and how biological response modifiers can affect these physical parameters. The research group want to know how antigen and signals delivered to the APC effect the physical movement of class II in the raft environment.

The other research focus in Dr. Wade's lab is based on collaboration with Dr. Ron Taylor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, DMS. Dr. Wade and Dr. Taylor are investigating the utility of a subunit-based vaccine for cholera. They have recently (2000) been awarded an NIH grant to investigate the immunogenicity of the toxin co-regulated pilus protein and cholera LPS. The group is defining the B cell epitopes on two of V. cholerae most the two most prominent antigens, LPS and TcpA that are able to induce protective immune responses. Recently, they have determined that synthetic carbohydrate antigens linked to protein carriers are able to induce T-dependent protective immunity to V. cholera. These studies, as are similar studies on TcpA are a prelude to human clinical trials, which will test the efficacy of a subunit based cholera vaccines. While the components are not finalized yet, they will likely include peptides of TcpA, synthetic LPS-carrier conjugates and TcpS peptides.