Suryaram Gummuluru, PhD

Professor, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine

Biography

Our research is broadly focused on the role of dendritic cells (DCs) in the initiation and propagation of HIV-1 replication. Since dendritic cells are believed to be the first immune competent cells to encounter virus in the genital mucosa, a thorough understanding of the HIV-DC interactions is of paramount importance. DCs can capture virus particles independently of CD4 and co-receptor complexes, and retain them in an infectious state for an extended period of time. These virus-bearing DCs may then facilitate a more efficient spread of virus to replication-permissive CD4+ T cells. Our recent work has identified a novel glycosphingolipid dependent mechanism of virus attachment to DCs. The fate of the virus particle post-attachment in DCs remains unclear. Virion trafficking within the DC bypasses conventional endocytic organelles, i.e., endosomes and lysosomes. Virus localization within this novel vesicular compartment not only has the potential to protect the invading HIV from being degraded, but also creates a latent reservoir of virus, which could present a major challenge for eradication by antiretroviral therapy. Furthermore, the mechanism of subsequent return of infectious virus particles to the cell surface and the method of subsequent transmission to T cells remains unclear. Current studies utilizing biochemical and microscopic approaches are underway to monitor HIV-1 trafficking and localization in the DC and its subsequent transfer to T cells.

Publications

  • Published 9/8/2025

    Jalloh S, Hughes IK, Akiyama H, Gojanovich AD, Quiñones-Molina AA, Yang M, Henderson AJ, Mostoslavsky G, Gummuluru S. Expression of intron-containing HIV-1 RNA induces NLRP1 inflammasome activation in myeloid cells. PLoS Biol. 2025 Sep; 23(9):e3003320. PMID: 40920844.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 8/25/2025

    Hughes IK, Kharytonchyk S, Ramaswamy S, Jalloh S, Hood JB, He X, Henderson AJ, Akiyama H, Telesnitsky A, Gummuluru S. 5' cap sequestration is required for sensing of unspliced HIV-1 RNA by MDA5. bioRxiv. 2025 Aug 25. PMID: 40909469.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 6/10/2025

    Ramaswamy S, Akiyama H, Berrigan J, Quiñones-Molina AA, Olson AJ, Chen Y, Liang Y, Henderson AJ, Asundi A, Sagar M, Gummuluru S. The macrophage-intrinsic MDA5/IRF5 axis drives HIV-1 intron-containing RNA-induced inflammatory responses. J Clin Invest. 2025 Aug 15; 135(16). PMID: 40493408.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 5/19/2025

    Hughes IK, Hood JB, Quiñones-Molina AA, Akiyama H, Gummuluru S. Evasion of CARD8 Activation During HIV-1 Assembly. bioRxiv. 2025 May 19. PMID: 40475532.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 6/15/2024

    Ament SA, Campbell RR, Lobo MK, Receveur JP, Agrawal K, Borjabad A, Byrareddy SN, Chang L, Clarke D, Emani P, Gabuzda D, Gaulton KJ, Giglio M, Giorgi FM, Gok B, Guda C, Hadas E, Herb BR, Hu W, Huttner A, Ishmam MR, Jacobs MM, Kelschenbach J, Kim DW, Lee C, Liu S, Liu X, Madras BK, Mahurkar AA, Mash DC, Mukamel EA, Niu M, O'Connor RM, Pagan CM, Pang APS, Pillai P, Repunte-Canonigo V, Ruzicka WB, Stanley J, Tickle T, Tsai SA, Wang A, Wills L, Wilson AM, Wright SN, Xu S, Yang J, Zand M, Zhang L, Zhang J, Akbarian S, Buch S, Cheng CS, Corley MJ, Fox HS, Gerstein M, Gummuluru S, Heiman M, Ho YC, Kellis M, Kenny PJ, Kluger Y, Milner TA, Moore DJ, Morgello S, Ndhlovu LC, Rana TM, Sanna PP, Satterlee JS, Sestan N, Spector SA, Spudich S, Tilgner HU, Volsky DJ, White OR, Williams DW, Zeng H. The single-cell opioid responses in the context of HIV (SCORCH) consortium. Mol Psychiatry. 2024 Dec; 29(12):3950-3961. PMID: 38879719.

    Read at: PubMed

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Other Positions

  • Faculty, National Emerging Infectious Disease Lab
    Boston University
  • Member, Genome Science Institute
    Boston University
  • Graduate Faculty (Primary Mentor of Grad Students)
    Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Graduate Medical Sciences

Websites

Education

  • University of Rochester, PhD
  • University of Rochester, MS
  • University Saskatchewan, BSc

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