Anne Kasus-Jacobi, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Research
Department of 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.
Education & Experience
Postdoctoral Fellow in Molecular Genetics
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
2004Ph.D. in Endocrinology
University of Paris XI, France
1998M.S. in Cell Biology.
University of Paris VII, France
1993B.S. in Cell Biology
University of Paris VII., France
1992Publications & Presentations
- 1. Stock A J, Kasus-Jacobi A, Pereira A. The role of neutrophil granule proteins in neuroinflammation and Alzheimer's disease. Journal of neuroinflammation. 2018; 15 : 240
2. Kasus-Jacobi A, Griffith G L, Lerner M, Pereira A. Effect of Cationic Antimicrobial Protein CAP37 on Cytokine Profile during Corneal Wound Healing. Journal of Ocular Diseases and Therapeutics. 2017; 5 : 19-27
3. Griffith G L, Kasus-Jacobi A, Pereira A. Bioactive Antimicrobial Peptides as Therapeutics for Corneal Wounds and Infections. Advances in wound care. 2017; 6 : 175-190
4. Kasus-Jacobi A, Griffith G L, Lerner M, Pereira A. Effect of Cationic Antimicrobial Protein CAP37 on Cytokine Profile during Corneal Wound Healing. Journal of ocular diseases and therapeutics. 2017; 5 : 19-27
5. Stock A J, Kasus-Jacobi A, Wren J, Sjoelund V, Prestwich G, Pereira H A. The role of neutrophil proteins on the amyloid beta-RAGE axis. Plos One. 2016