Jean M. van Seventer, V.M.D.

Jean van Seventer, V.M.D.

Associate Professor Environmental Health; BUSPH and
Assistant Professor of Microbiology

B.S. Stanford University
V.M.D. University of Pennsylvania

Current research is concentrated on characterizing the molecular mechanisms by which the innate immune response regulates subsequent adaptive immunity. Research studies primarily focus on the role of type I interferons (IFN), IFN-alpha and IFN-beta, in regulating human dendritic cell and T cell function. This basic research should provide insight into the pathogenesis of multiple autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus, and infectious diseases.  It may also contribute to new avenues of vaccine development. 

Representative Publications

  1. van Seventer, G.A., H.J. Salmen, S.F. Law, G.M. O’Neill, M.M. Mullen, A.M. Frantz, S.B. Kanner, E.A. Golemis, and J.M. van Seventer. 2001. Focal adhesion kinase regulates beta1 integrin-dependent T cell migration through a HEF1 effector pathway. Eur. J. Immunol. 31(5):1417-1427.
  2. Palmer, E.M., L. Farrokh-Siar, J.M. van Seventer and G.A. van Seventer. 2001. IL-12 prevents cell death in human naïve T helper cells costimulated by ICAM-1. I. IL-12 alters caspase processing and inhibits enzyme function. J. Immunol. 167:749-758.
  3. van Seventer, J.M., T. Nagai and G.A. van Seventer. 2002. Interferon-beta Differentially Regulates Expression of the IL-12 Family Members p35, p40, p19 and EBI3 in Activated Human Dendritic Cells. J. Neuroimmunol. 133(1-2):60-71.
  4. Nagai,T., O. Devergne, T.F. Mueller, D.L. Perkins, J.M. van Seventer, and G.A. van Seventer. 2007. Timing of IFN-beta exposure during human dendritic cell maturation and naive Th cell stimulation has contrasting effects on Th1 subset generation: A role for IFN-beta-mediated regulation of IL-12 family cytokines and IL-18 in naive Th cell differentiation. J. Immunol. 10:5233-5243.
  5. Cai,D, K.N. Felekkis, R.I. Near, G.M. O’Neill, J.M. van Seventer, E.A. Golemis, EA, and A. Lerner. 2003. The GDP exchange factor AND-34 is expressed in B cells, associates with HEF1and activates Cdc42.  J. Immunol. 170:969-978.
  6.  York, M. R., Nagai, T, Mangini, A, Lemaire, R, van Seventer, J. M., and Lafyatis, R. 2007. Siglec-1, a macrophage marker, is increased on circulating monocytes in a subset of patients with Systemic Sclerosis. Arthritis Rheum. 56(3):1010-1020.
  7. Meyers, J. A., A. Mangini, T. Nagai, C. F. Roff, D. Sehy, G. A. van Seventer, and J. M. van Seventer. 2006. Blockade of TLR9 Agonist-induced Type I Interferons Promotes Inflammatory Cytokine IFN-gamma and IL-17 Secretion by Activated Human PBMC. Cytokine. 35:235-246.
  8. Nagai, T.,  O. Devergne, G.A. van Seventer and J. M. van Seventer. 2007. Interferon-beta Mediates Opposing Effects on Interferon-gamma-dependent Interleukin-12 p70 Secretion by Human Monocyte-derived Dendritic Cells. Scand. J. Immunol. 65(2):107-117.
  9. Alyson J. Mangini, R. Lafyatis, and J.M. van Seventer. 2007. Type I IFN inhibition of inflammatory Th cell responses in SLE. Ann. NY Acad. Sci. Rev. 1108:11-23.
Primary teaching affiliate
of BU School of Medicine