Department of Immunology at University of Pittsburgh

University of Pittsburgh	UPMC	Health Sciences @ Pitt	School of Medicine

	Department of Immunology

Academic Resources

Employment and Training Opportunities

Events

Flow Facility

E1040
Thomas E. Starzl Biomedical Science Tower
Phone: 412-383-9737
Fax: 412-383-8098

Faculty

Russell D. Salter , Ph.D.
Professor
E1052 BST (Office)
E1006 BST (Lab)
Pittsburgh, PA 15261
Phone: 412.648.9471
Email: rds@pitt.edu
Fax: 412.383.8096
Faculty Research Interests

Research Interests

My laboratory is interested in designing subunit vaccines that stimulate CD8+ T cell responses against pathogens and tumor antigens, and the development of immunization strategies in animal models for eventual use in humans. Other projects are focused on the effects of cholesterol-dependent cytolysins such as listeriolysin O and anthrolysin O on the antigen presenting function of dendritic cells. How these products of gram-positive bacteria stimulate both systemic and local inflammation is being investigated. The role of P2X7 purinergic receptor in inducing IL-1beta secretion by macrophages is also under investigation, with the goal of identifying novel targets for anti-inflammatory intervention.

Education

B.S. - Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (1980)
Ph.D. - Duke University (1985)
Postdoc - Stanford University (1986-1989)

Academic Affiliation

Professor, Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Member, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute

Selected Publications

Watkins, SC, and Salter, RD. Functional Connectivity between Immune Cells Mediated by Tunneling Nanotubules. Immunity 23:1-10, 2005.

Chu, J, Thomas LM, Watkins, SC, Franchi, L, Nunez, G, and Salter RD. Cholesterol-dependent cytolysins induce rapid release of mature IL-1? from murine macrophages in a NLRP3 inflammasome and cathepsin B-dependent manner. J. Leuk. Biol., 86: 1227-1238, 2009.

Salter RD and Watkins SC. Dendritic cell altered states: what role for calcium? Immunological Reviews, 231:278-288, 2009.

Sun, C, Chu, J, Singh, S, and Salter, RD. Identification and characterization of a novel variant of the human P2X7 receptor resulting in gain of function. Purninergic Signal, 6:31-45, 2010.

Thomas, LM, and Salter, RD. Activation of macrophages by P2X7-induced microvesicles from myeloid cells is mediated by phospholipids and is partially dependent on TLR4. J. Immunol. E-pub ahead of print, Aug 13, 2010.

Grants

Title: Dendritic Cell Biology and Therapy Program
Agency: NIH
Role: Project 1 Leader
Funding Period: 2004-2009
Title: Interaction of microvesicles and bacterial toxins with immune cells
Agency: NIH
Role: P.I.
Funding Period: 2007-2012
Title: Modeling Immunity for Biodefense
Agency: NIH/NIAID
Role: Co-investigator
Funding Period: 2005-2010
Title: University of Pittsburgh Center for HIV Protein Interactions (PCHPI)
Agency: NIH
Role: Co-investigator
Funding Period: 2007-2012
Title: In Vivo PIB Amyloid: Imaging Normals, MCI & Dementia
Agency: NIH
Role: Co-investigator
Funding Period: 2008-2010

Lab Personnel

Research Specialist
Sarita Singh

Graduate Student Researchers
Michelle Heid

Postdoctoral Fellow
Chengqun Sun
Peter Keyel

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