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INSTITUTE FOR IMMUNOLOGY FACULTY
| Sergei A. Grando. M.D., Ph.D., DSc |
| Fields of Study: |
| Dr. Grando’s research focuses on the basic biology of the skin and mechanisms of autoimmune blistering disease. Previously, Dr. Grando utilized pemphigus patients' IgGs as a probe to identify the pathophysiologically relevant target antigens in the autoimmune blistering disease pemphigus. He found, unexpectedly, that autoantibodies targeted several known as well as novel members of the acetylcholine receptor gene superfamilies expressed by skin cells. He has now demonstrated that these receptors control cell shape and intercellular adhesion, and their blockade by auto-antibodies produces cell dysadhesion and blisters.
Dr. Grando has continued to make important contributions to our understanding of the pathogenesis and treatment of pemphigus. His lab demonstrated that pemphigus vulgaris IgG and methylprednisolone exhibit reciprocal effects on keratinocyte adhesion molecules. He discovered novel mechanisms of targeting cell death and survival and therapeutic action of intravenous IgG (IVIg) in pemphigus. The results indicate that in different pemphigus patients, IgG-induced acantholysis proceeds predominantly via distinct, yet complementary, pathways of programmed cell death and that IVIg protect target cells by up-regulating endogenous caspase and calpain inhibitors.
His work in autoimmune pemphigus and paraneoplastic pemphigus has led to the development of non-steroidal therapy for pemphigus and other diseases associated with blistering. He has conducted an IRB-approved clinical trial using a well-tolerated acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, Mestinon, in the treatment of pemphigus patients. The results of his work have altered the way physicians throughout the world understand the mechanisms of pemphigus, and have led directly to the development of new treatment of pemphigus with cholinergic agonist, such as topical application of pilocarpine. |
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| Research Interests: |
| IVIg protects target cells by up-regulating endogenous caspase and calpain inhibitors. Basic biology of the skin and mechanisms of autoimmune blistering disease. |
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| Office Address/Phone: |
C340 Medical Sciences 1
949.824.2713/fax: 924.2993 |
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| Lab Address/Phone: |
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| Email: sgrando@uci.edu |
| Web Site: |
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