1. Role: Director. Scope: College. Description: Director of Strategic Partnerships and Program Development in the Graduate College.Responsibilities:Develop initiatives to establish scholarship funds for graduate students.Organize education seminars and/or workshops for students. Date: 1969.
Anne Kasus-Jacobi, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Pharmaceutical Sciences
Phone (405) 271-1484
Alt Phone (405) 637-3432
Fax (405) 271-7505
Office CPB 255
Summary
My lab currently focuses on two research projects that aim at uncovering the molecular mechanisms by which the cationic antimicrobial protein CAP37 is affecting (1) corneal wound healing and (2) neuroinflammation, with the long-term goal of developing peptide therapeutics for ocular injuries and Alzheimer’s disease.
In collaboration with Dr. Pereira, we found that the antimicrobial and inflammatory mediator CAP37, and several CAP37-derived antimicrobial peptides could promote corneal wound healing andclearance of corneal infections in vivo. Recently, my lab started to focus on the identification of the molecular mechanisms involved in the wound healing activity of CAP37 and CAP37-derived peptides. The goal of this project is the identification of the receptor and intracellular signaling molecules mediating CAP37-induced corneal wound healing.
In collaboration with Dr. Pereira, we also explored the potential roles of CAP37 in diseases linked to aging and chronic inflammation. We have shown increased expression of CAP37 in the neurons of patients with Alzheimer’s disease, and an effect of CAP37 on two important players of this disease; amyloid beta and the Receptor for Advanced Glycation End-products (RAGE). To pursue this line of research, my lab is currently exploring the structural aspects of CAP37’s effects on RAGE and amyloid beta. This project, funded by the Oklahoma COBRE in Structural Biology, was started in 2017.
Publications & Presentations
- 11. Kasus-Jacobi A, Nag O, Awasthi V, Babizhayev M, Pereira A. Investivating carcinine transport and the expression profile of transporter genes in human corneal epithelial cells. Springer. 2015
12. Kasus-Jacobi A. Studies on the Cornea and Lens . Springer. 2015
13. Griffith G L, Kasus-Jacobi A, Lerner M R, Pereira A. Corneal wound healing, a newly identified function of CAP37, is mediated by protein kinase C delta (PKCδ). Investigative ophthalmology & visual science. 2014; 55 : 4886-95
14. Griffith G L, Russell R A, Kasus-Jacobi A, Pereira A. CAP37 activation of PKC promotes human corneal epithelial cell chemotaxis. IOVS. 2013
15. Saadi A, Ash J D, Ngansop T N, Thompson D A, Kasus-Jacobi A. Role of Photoreceptor Retinol Dehydrogenases in Detoxification of Lipid Oxidation Products. Springer. 2012
Grants
- 11. Development of Bioactive Peptides for the Inhibition of Neuroinflammation and Neurotoxicity Induced by Amyloid-beta. Non-federal. Start Date: 2020. End Date: 2021.
12. Novel Peptide Therapeutic for Corneal Wound Healing and Infections. Misc Non-Federal. Start Date: 2019. End Date: 2020.
13. Development of Bioactive Peptides for the Inhibition of Neuroinflammation and Neurotoxicity Induced by Amyloid-beta. Non-federal. Start Date: 2019. End Date: 2019.
14. Wound Healing Mechanisms Modulated by Novel Antimicrobial Peptides. NIH. Start Date: 2016. End Date: 2019.
15. Structural Approach to Define New Functional Activities of Neutrophil Protein CAP37 in Neurodegenerative Diseases. NIH. Start Date: 2017. End Date: 2019.
Awards and Honors
- 6. NIH. The Sustainable Heartland Accelerator Regional Partnership (SHARP) Hub. Date: 2020.
7. OUHSC/Office of Technology Development. Growth Fund Phase 2, Translational Research. Date: 2019.
8. OUHSC/Office of Technology Development. Growth Fund Phase 1, Market Discovery. Date: 2019.
9. PHF. PHF Bridge Grant. Date: 2019.
10. NIH/NIGMS. Oklahoma COBRE in Structural Biology . Date: 2017.
Education
- 1. Degree: Ph D. University of Paris XI. Date: 1998.
2. Degree: MS. University of Paris VII. Date: 1993.
3. Degree: BS. University of Paris VII. Date: 1992.