Lee M. Wetzler, MD
Professor
Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
Medicine
Infectious Diseases

MD, State University of New York Upstate Medical University
BS, State University of New York at Binghamton



Our laboratory investigates innate and adaptive immunity and microbial pathogenesis, especially in regards to vaccine development. One major aspect of this work centers on the pathogenic Neisseria, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria meningitidis. We have found that the major outer membrane protein of these organisms, the Neisserial porin PorB, can work as an immune adjuvant due to it recognition by the pattern recognition receptor TOLL-like receptor (TLR) 2. We have found that antigen presenting cells, including B cells, dendritic cells and macrophages, are activated by PorB in a TLR2, TLR1 and MyD88 dependent manner, inducting upregulation of class II MHC, costimulatory molecule CD86 and other markers of activation. Moreover, MAPK signaling events are required for the upregulation of the expression of these markers, as well as production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

We are investigating the use of this TLR2 ligand, PorB, as a vaccine adjuvant using classic antigens i.e. OVA, and more relevant antigens, i.e. bacterial capsular polysaccharide. We are also comparing the PorB adjuvant activity to other classical and investigative adjuvants including Alum, MF59, CpG DNA and MPL. We have shown that PorB adjuvant activity is absolutely MyD88 dependent and also largely dependent on the presence of TLR2 (even though there is still some adjuvant activity in TLR2 KO mice). Utilizing conditional KO mice (using the Cre-Lox system) we have discerned that MyD88 signaling in B cells, Dendritic Cells (DC) and Macrophages are essential for the PorB adjuvant activity. Surprisingly, the presence of MyD88 in macrophages seems to be the most essential component needed for this adjuvant activity. Investigations are ongoing in this area. Moreover, we have shown that PorB can enhance both antigen uptake and antigen presenting cell trafficking (especially DCs and macrophages) and these effects are mainly TLR2 dependent. We have recently begun investigating the effect of PorB on germinal center formation and have found that this molecule is extremely potent in inducting germinal centers and proliferating B cells. Interestingly, if MyD88 is conditionally KO’d in macrophages, these germinal center findings are abrogated. Using these same mice we have found that PorB induces both Th1 and Th2 type responses as determined by cytokine profiles and IgG isotypes. PorB induced a greater breadth of response in this regard as compared to Alum, MF59 and MPL. We are currently investigating the mechanisms behind these findings.

We have also begun a systems immunologic analysis of the adjuvant activity of PorB. We have found that PorB induces a genetic program consisting of genes and gene sets needed for immunoglobulin synthesis and cellular proliferation after only one or two immunizations as opposed to a greater number of immunizations of antigen alone to induce a similar response. We are still investigating the genes induced and shall compare these results to results obtained with other adjuvants (both TLR dependent and independent) to determine if these results can be used to correlate with different responses induced by various adjuvants (i.e. Th types, IgG isotypes etc., as mentioned above). This also revealed that PorB can induce certain profiles of micro RNAs that may also be associated with its immune stimulating properties and we are in the midst of studies to further address these interesting findings.

A significant new set of studies currently being performed in collaboration with Dr. Scott Gray-Owen at the University of Toronto is the examination of a new murine model for gonococcal infections and the use of this model to examine potential anti-gonococcal vaccine candidates. Dr. Gray-Owen has developed transgenic mice that express human gonococcal adhesins and other molecules that enhance gonococcal pathogenesis, that are normally lacking in mice. These include CEACAMs, complement binding proteins and iron binding proteins. These mice mimic human infection to a much greater extent as compared to wild type mice, leading to a superior model to both study gonococcal pathogenesis and immunity. We have been able to demonstrate that at early time points more inflammation and cytokine induction occurs in these transgenic mice as opposed to other commonly used models, demonstrating that these previously used models my not be the best approach to study gonococcal infections. These studies are currently on going.

Professor
Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
Virology, Immunology & Microbiology


Member
Boston University
Evans Center for Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research


Member
Boston University
Genome Science Institute


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




23rd International Pathogenic Neisseria Conference
05/05/2023 - 12/31/2023 (PI)
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation


Boston University Inflammatory Disorders Training Grant
09/15/2011 - 08/31/2017 (PI)
NIH/National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases
5T32AI089673-05

Role of the Innate Immune System in Pathogen-Induced Chronic Inflammation
08/01/2010 - 07/31/2017 (PI of Sub-Project / SP)
PI: Caroline A. Genco, PhD
NIH/National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases
5P01AI078894-05


Novel vaccine antigens against N. gonorrhoeae
09/08/2022 - 08/31/2026 (PI)
Tufts University National Institute o

Gonococcal Vaccine Evaluation in a Humanized Mouse Model
08/01/2019 - 07/31/2022 (PI)
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases/NIH/DHHS
5R01AI103400-06

Neisserial porins and antigen presenting cells
09/01/2016 - 08/31/2021 (PI)
National Institutes of Health/DHHS/NIH
5R01AI040944-22

Gonococcal Vaccine Evaluation in a Humanized Mouse Model
07/17/2013 - 08/01/2017 (PI)
NIH-NIAID
4R01AI103400-04

Gonococcal Vaccine Evaluation in a Humanized Mouse Model
07/17/2013 - 08/01/2017 (PI)
NIH-NIAID
5R01AI103400-03

Neisserial porins and antigen presenting cells
09/01/2015 - 08/31/2016 (PI)
NIH-NIAID
2R56AI040944-19

Neisserial Porins and Antigen Presenting Cells
09/01/2010 - 08/31/2015 (PI)
NIH-NIAID
5R01 AI040944-18

Characterization of a cell free recombinant gonococcal porin
09/01/2014 - 06/30/2015 (PI)
SutroVax, Inc.

Core C - Role of Innate Immune System in Pathogen Induced Chronic Inflammation
08/01/2010 - 06/30/2015 (PI)
Trustees of Boston University NIH-NIAID

Neisserial Porins and Antigen Presenting Cells
09/01/2006 - 08/31/2010 (PI)
NIH-NIAID
5R01 AI040944-13

Showing 10 of 19 results. Show All Results

Title


Yr Title Project-Sub Proj Pubs
2020 Gonococcal Vaccine Evaluation in a Humanized Mouse Model 5R01AI103400-08 6
2019 Gonococcal Vaccine Evaluation in a Humanized Mouse Model 5R01AI103400-07 6
2019 Neisserial porins and antigen presenting cells 5R01AI040944-22 25
2018 Gonococcal Vaccine Evaluation in a Humanized Mouse Model 5R01AI103400-06 6
2018 Neisserial porins and antigen presenting cells 5R01AI040944-21 25
2017 Gonococcal Vaccine Evaluation in a Humanized Mouse Model 2R01AI103400-05 6
2017 Neisserial porins and antigen presenting cells 5R01AI040944-20 25
2016 Gonococcal Vaccine Evaluation in a Humanized Mouse Model 4R01AI103400-04 6
2016 Neisserial porins and antigen presenting cells 2R01AI040944-19A1 25
2015 Gonococcal Vaccine Evaluation in a Humanized Mouse Model 5R01AI103400-03 6
Showing 10 of 59 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. Feng F, Yuen R, Wang Y, Hua A, Kepler TB, Wetzler LM. Characterizing adjuvants' effects at murine immunoglobulin repertoire level. iScience. 2024 Jan 19; 27(1):108749.View Related Profiles. PMID: 38269092; PMCID: PMC10805652; DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108749;
     
  2. Roe SK, Felter B, Zheng B, Ram S, Wetzler LM, Garges E, Zhu T, Genco CA, Massari P. In Vitro Pre-Clinical Evaluation of a Gonococcal Trivalent Candidate Vaccine Identified by Transcriptomics. Vaccines (Basel). 2023 Dec 13; 11(12).View Related Profiles. PMID: 38140249; PMCID: PMC10747275; DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11121846;
     
  3. Tejeda M, Farrell J, Zhu C, Wetzler L, Lunetta KL, Bush WS, Martin ER, Wang LS, Schellenberg GD, Pericak-Vance MA, Haines JL, Farrer LA, Sherva R. DNA from multiple viral species is associated with Alzheimer's disease risk. Alzheimers Dement. 2024 Jan; 20(1):253-265.View Related Profiles. PMID: 37578203; PMCID: PMC10840621; DOI: 10.1002/alz.13414;
     
  4. Lisk C, Yuen R, Kuniholm J, Antos D, Reiser ML, Wetzler LM. CD169+ Subcapsular Macrophage Role in Antigen Adjuvant Activity. Front Immunol. 2021; 12:624197.View Related Profiles. PMID: 33815376; PMCID: PMC8012505; DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.624197;
     
  5. Sinha P, Mostaghim A, Bielick CG, McLaughlin A, Hamer DH, Wetzler LM, Bhadelia N, Fagan MA, Linas BP, Assoumou SA, Ieong MH, Lin NH, Cooper ER, Brade KD, White LF, Barlam TF, Sagar M. Early administration of interleukin-6 inhibitors for patients with severe COVID-19 disease is associated with decreased intubation, reduced mortality, and increased discharge. Int J Infect Dis. 2020 Oct; 99:28-33.View Related Profiles. PMID: 32721528; PMCID: PMC7591937; DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.07.023;
     
  6. Lisk C, Yuen R, Kuniholm J, Antos D, Reiser ML, Wetzler LM. Toll-Like Receptor Ligand Based Adjuvant, PorB, Increases Antigen Deposition on Germinal Center Follicular Dendritic Cells While Enhancing the Follicular Dendritic Cells Network. Front Immunol. 2020; 11:1254.View Related Profiles. PMID: 32636846; PMCID: PMC7318107; DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01254;
     
  7. Yuen R, Kuniholm J, Lisk C, Wetzler LM. Neisserial PorB immune enhancing activity and use as a vaccine adjuvant. Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2019; 15(11):2778-2781.View Related Profiles. PMID: 31112447; PMCID: PMC6930065; DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2019.1609852;
     
  8. Francis IP, Lui X, Wetzler LM. Isolation of Naturally Released Gonococcal Outer Membrane Vesicles as Vaccine Antigens. Methods Mol Biol. 2019; 1997:121-141.View Related Profiles. PMID: 31119622
     
  9. Mosaheb M, Wetzler LM. Meningococcal PorB induces a robust and diverse antigen specific T cell response as a vaccine adjuvant. Vaccine. 2018 11 29; 36(50):7689-7699.View Related Profiles. PMID: 30381152; PMCID: PMC6279244; DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.10.074;
     
  10. Francis IP, Islam EA, Gower AC, Shaik-Dasthagirisaheb YB, Gray-Owen SD, Wetzler LM. Murine host response to Neisseria gonorrhoeae upper genital tract infection reveals a common transcriptional signature, plus distinct inflammatory responses that vary between reproductive cycle phases. BMC Genomics. 2018 Aug 22; 19(1):627.View Related Profiles. PMID: 30134832; PMCID: PMC6106831; DOI: 10.1186/s12864-018-5000-7;
     
Showing 10 of 84 results. Show More

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

Bar chart showing 84 publications over 33 distinct years, with a maximum of 6 publications in 2005

YearPublications
19861
19881
19894
19922
19931
19943
19952
19962
19971
19983
19995
20002
20013
20022
20033
20056
20062
20075
20082
20092
20104
20111
20124
20133
20141
20153
20163
20172
20183
20192
20202
20211
20233
In addition to these self-described keywords below, a list of MeSH based concepts is available here.

Adjuvants
Francisella
Infections Diseases
Innate Immunity
Neisseria
Vaccines
Immunology
STDs
Meningitis
Travel Medicine

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650 Albany St Evans Biomed Research Ctr
Boston MA 02118
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