Andrew W. Taylor, PhD
Associate Dean of Research
Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine

PhD, Ohio State University
MS, Ohio State University
BS, University of Wisconsin Madison

Pronouns: he/him/his



A large part of our research effort has been to characterize the immunosuppressive and immunoregulating factors within the immune privileged eye. Through immunochemical and biological analysis of aqueous humor, the fluid filling the anterior chamber of the eye, and the soluble factors produced by retinal pigment epithelial cells. We have identified several potent immunoregulating and immunosuppressing neuropeptides that:
1. Suppress macrophage-mediated inflammation.
2. Induce activation of myeloid suppressor cells
3. Alter phagocytic pathways within potential Antigen Presenting Cells.
4. Suppress the activation of effector T cells
5. Mediate the induction of antigen-specific regulatory T cells.

Our research has found constitutively present neuropeptides in the immune-privileged eye, alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (a-MSH), vasoactive intestinal peptide, calcitonin gene related peptide, and somatostatin. Collectively, the neuropeptides in aqueous humor suppress activation of delayed-type hypersensitivity of adaptive immunity and endotoxin activation of macrophages in innate immunity. Individually, the neuropeptides target different cells at different stages in the induction of immune responses within the immune-privileged eye.

We are finding that the activation of macrophages to pathogens within the ocular microenvironment does not promote inflammation but promotes suppressor functionality in the macrophages. These macrophages respond to pathogens without mediating inflammation or activating T cells. Moreover, the macrophages produce anti-inflammatory cytokines, suppress activation of effector T cells while promoting Treg cell activity.

As we continue to examine the mechanisms of ocular immune privilege, we further promote the importance of the interactions between the nervous and the immune systems and how we can use these interactions therapeutically to manipulate immunity to suppress autoimmune disease.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility

In science, each researcher brings their unique intellectual curiosity to a project needed for discovery to move into new directions, have strong results, and achieve benefits for all. As a scientist leading a lab and a medical school leader, I extend this to how I conduct myself to train students and fellows and work with my colleagues and collaborators and in my personal life. I firmly believe that we should strive to build communities of individuals with diverse backgrounds and life experiences, free of discrimination based on racial, ethnic, gender, sexual orientation, or social economic status. Also, it means that I want to work within and for a diverse and inclusive research environment and academic institution and work to sustain this creative environment.

As Associate Dean for Research, I have been able to contribute to building our diverse and inclusive medical school by sponsoring two Mid-Career Faculty Leadership Programs that evaluated and provided recommendations on faculty understanding of resources for under-representative groups in research and on what resources we can create and improve to sustain our inclusive environment. The result has been for my office to work with the Faculty Affairs Office to establish two new career development programs that include matching faculty with mentors and resources for faculty that identify as a member of an under-representative group in research. We hope this new initiative will grow and encompass all faculty to have the resources to thrive and be successful with the knowledge that we all belong, free of bias and discrimination.

Sarkis J. Kechejian, MD Professor
Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
Ophthalmology


Graduate Faculty (Primary Mentor of Grad Students)
Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Graduate Medical Sciences




Study of the potential therapeutic use of Purified Cortrophin Gel for uveitis
05/08/2023 - 05/07/2024 (PI)
ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.


Manipulation of Immunity to Treat Uveitis
03/01/2020 - 02/29/2024 (PI)
NIH/National Eye Institute
5R01EY025961-08

Initial Mechanism of Action for The Therapeutic Application of Melanocortin Receptor Agonists to Reset Immune Tolerance in EAU
10/01/2019 - 12/31/2023 (PI)
Palatin Technologies, Inc.


Projects for the Massachusetts Lions Eye Research Fund
07/01/2014 - 08/31/2023 (PI of Sub-Project / SP)
PI: Stephen P. Christiansen, MD
Massachusetts Lions Eye Research Fund, Inc.


The role of Wnt signaling in treating glucocorticoid-induced glaucoma
09/30/2021 - 07/31/2023 (Subcontract PI)
Trustees of Indiana University NIH NEI
5R01EY031700-02

Manipulation of Immunity to Treat Uveitis
03/01/2016 - 02/29/2020 (PI)
NIH/National Eye Institute
5R01EY025961-04

Initial Mechanism of Action for The Therapeutic Application of Melanocortin Receptor Agonists to Suppress EAU
06/01/2018 - 12/31/2019 (PI)
Palatin Technologies, Inc.


The MC1R protein palmitoylation in melanoma development
09/19/2018 - 11/30/2019 (PI)
NIH/National Cancer Institute
5R01CA224432-02

Initial Mechanism Of Action For The Therapeutic Application Of A Melanocortin Receptor Agonists To Attenuate Retinal Damage in Diabetic Retinopathy
06/01/2017 - 12/31/2018 (PI)
Palatin Technologies, Inc.


Initial Mechanism Of Action For The Therapeutic Application Of A Melanocortin Receptor Agonists To Supress EAU
02/10/2014 - 06/30/2016 (PI)
Palatin Technologies, Inc.




Title


Yr Title Project-Sub Proj Pubs
2023 Manipulation of Immuity to Treat Uveitis 5R01EY025961-08
2022 Manipulation of Immuity to Treat Uveitis 5R01EY025961-07
2021 Manipulation of Immuity to Treat Uveitis 5R01EY025961-06 6
2020 Manipulation of Immuity to Treat Uveitis 2R01EY025961-05 6
2019 The MC1R protein palmitoylation in melanoma development 5R01CA224432-02
2019 Manipulation of Immunity to Treat Uveitis 5R01EY025961-04 6
2018 Manipulation of Immunity to Treat Uveitis 5R01EY025961-03 6
2017 Manipulation of Immunity to Treat Uveitis 5R01EY025961-02 6
2016 Manipulation of Immunity to Treat Uveitis 1R01EY025961-01A1 6
2011 Neuroimmunomodulation within the eye 5R01EY010752-15 43
Showing 10 of 31 results. Show All Results

Publications listed below are automatically derived from MEDLINE/PubMed and other sources, which might result in incorrect or missing publications. Faculty can login to make corrections and additions.

iCite Analysis       Copy PMIDs To Clipboard

  1. Tao Q, Zhang C, Mercier G, Lunetta K, Ang TFA, Akhter-Khan S, Zhang Z, Taylor A, Killiany RJ, Alosco M, Mez J, Au R, Zhang X, Farrer LA, Qiu WWQ. Identification of an APOE e4-specific blood-based molecular pathway for Alzheimer's disease risk. Alzheimers Dement (Amst). 2023; 15(4):e12490.View Related Profiles. PMID: 37854772; PMCID: PMC10579631; DOI: 10.1002/dad2.12490;
     
  2. Rinne P, Taylor AW, Montero-Melendez T. Editorial: Melanocortins and melanocortin receptors in the regulation of inflammation: mechanisms and novel therapeutic strategies. Front Immunol. 2023; 14:1226886. PMID: 37325641; PMCID: PMC10265466; DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1226886;
     
  3. Ng TF, Taylor AW. Stimulating the Melanocortin System in Uveitis and Diabetes Preserves the Structure and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of the Retina. Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Apr 08; 24(8). PMID: 37108092; PMCID: PMC10138492; DOI: 10.3390/ijms24086928;
     
  4. Goit RK, Taylor AW, Lo ACY. The central melanocortin system as a treatment target for obesity and diabetes: A brief overview. Eur J Pharmacol. 2022 Jun 05; 924:174956. PMID: 35430211
     
  5. Goit RK, Taylor AW, Lo ACY. Anti-inflammatory a-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone Protects Retina After Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Type I Diabetes. Front Neurosci. 2022; 16:799739. PMID: 35281489; PMCID: PMC8914517; DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.799739;
     
  6. Ng TF, Dawit K, Taylor AW. Melanocortin receptor agonists suppress experimental autoimmune uveitis. Exp Eye Res. 2022 May; 218:108986.View Related Profiles. PMID: 35196505; PMCID: PMC9050930; DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2022.108986;
     
  7. Lužnik Marzidovšek Z, Blanco T, Sun Z, Alemi H, Ortiz G, Nakagawa H, Chauhan SK, Taylor AW, Jurkunas UV, Yin J, Dana R. The Neuropeptide Alpha-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone Is Critical for Corneal Endothelial Cell Protection and Graft Survival after Transplantation. Am J Pathol. 2022 02; 192(2):270-280. PMID: 34774519; PMCID: PMC8908049; DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2021.10.016;
     
  8. Goit RK, Ng TC, Tam KC, Tsang JKW, Taylor AW, Lo ACY. Neuropeptide a-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone Promotes Neurological Recovery and Repairs Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Type 1 Diabetes. Neurochem Res. 2022 Feb; 47(2):394-408. PMID: 34586586
     
  9. Lee DJ, Xu H, Taylor AW. Editorial: Retinal Immunobiology and Retinopathy. Front Immunol. 2021; 12:758375. PMID: 34539681; PMCID: PMC8440985; DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.758375;
     
  10. Taylor AW, Hsu S, Ng TF. The Role of Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells in Regulation of Macrophages/Microglial Cells in Retinal Immunobiology. Front Immunol. 2021; 12:724601.View Related Profiles. PMID: 34484232; PMCID: PMC8414138; DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.724601;
     
Showing 10 of 108 results. Show More

This graph shows the total number of publications by year, by first, middle/unknown, or last author.

Bar chart showing 108 publications over 34 distinct years, with a maximum of 8 publications in 2000

YearPublications
19871
19901
19911
19922
19942
19951
19964
19975
19982
19995
20008
20012
20027
20032
20041
20054
20065
20076
20084
20094
20106
20113
20121
20133
20143
20153
20163
20172
20182
20191
20201
20217
20223
20233

2019-2024 Association for Research In Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO): Elected Immunology Member of the Board of Trustees
2019 Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC): GRAND Steering Committee Member
2015 Association for Research In Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO): Gold Fellow, an honor to recognize individual members accomplishments, and leadership
2014-2018 NIH: DPVS Study Section Member
2011-2011 Association for Research In Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO): Elected position for 3 years on the Annual Program Committee for the ARVO annual meeting representin
2010-2015 Association for Research In Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO): Silver Fellow, an honor to recognize individual members accomplishments, and leadership

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  • Career Mentor
  • Co-Mentor or Peer Mentor
  • Project Mentor
  • Research / Scholarly Mentor
Contact for Mentoring:
  • Email (see 'Contact Info')

72 E. Concord St Instructional (L)
Boston MA 02118
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