My group is interested in characterization of host-immunomodulatory responses by pathogenic gram negative enteric bacteria. Pathogenic enteric bacteria are those which upon entering into the host colonize in the gut region and secrete toxin(s) or invade gut epithelial cells to pathogenize the host. Pathogens carry pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) which are recognized by the pattern recognition receptor (PRRs) present on the cells such as macrophages, dendritic cells, intestinal epithelial cells. PAMP recognition by PRRs initiate signal transduction cascades resulting in production of an array of cytokines and chemokines which are not only important for innate immune responses also shapes up adaptive immune responses in terms of inflammation and B/T cell effector function and memory generation. Different PAMPs or antigens have the ability to excite or suppress the immune responses. If the antigen is a potent stimulator of the host’s immune system, it can be considered for vaccine development. On the other hand if the antigen is an immune suppressor that help us to understand more about the pathogenesis of the bacteria.
 
Currently we are working on three broad projects:

Project 1: Understanding the host-immunomodulatory role of Vibrio cholerae porin
Project 2: Understanding the host-immunomodulatory role of homologous porin from Vibrio parahaemolyticus
Project 3: Understanding the host-immunomodulatory role of TypeIII secretion system translocation effector proteins of Salmonella entericaserovar Typhimurium.

• Sakharwade, SC. and Mukhopadhay,a A. Vibrio cholerae porin OmpU induces LPS tolerance by attenuating TLR-mediated signaling. (2015). Molecular Immunology (accepted)
• Khan, J, Sharma PK, Mukhopadhaya, A. (2015) Vibrio cholerae porin OmpU mediates M1-polarization of macrophages/monocytes via TLR1/TLR2 activation. Immunobiology.; 220 :1199-209.
• Khilwan, B, Mukhopadhaya, A*, Chattopadhyay, K*. (2015) Transmembrane oligomeric form of Vibrio cholerae cytolysin triggers TLR2/TLR6-dependent proinflammatory responses in monocytes and macrophages. Biochemical Journal. 466:147-61. *Joint corresponding author.
• Sakharwade SC, Sharma PK, Mukhopadhaya A. ( 2013). Vibrio cholerae porin OmpU induces pro-inflammatory responses, but down-regulates LPS-mediated effects in RAW 264.7, THP-1 and human PBMCs.. PLoS One 8(9):e76583.
• Khan, J., Gupta, S., Chattopadhyay, K., Mukhopadhaya, A. (2012). Refolding and functional assembly of the Vibrio cholerae porin OmpU recombinantly expressed in the cytoplasm of Escherichia coli. Protein Expression and Purification. 85:204-10.