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 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

  • Published 2/29/2024

    Nisa A, Kumar R, Ramasamy S, Kolloli A, Olejnik J, Jalloh S, Gummuluru S, Subbian S, Bushkin Y. Modulations of Homeostatic ACE2, CD147, GRP78 Pathways Correlate with Vascular and Endothelial Performance Markers during Pulmonary SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Cells. 2024 Feb 29; 13(5). PMID: 38474396.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 11/1/2023

    Komori M, Morey AL, Quiñones-Molina AA, Fofana J, Romero L, Peters E, Matsuda K, Gummuluru S, Smith JF, Akahata W, Akiyama H. Incorporation of 5 methylcytidine alleviates innate immune response to self-amplifying RNA vaccine. bioRxiv. 2023 Nov 01. PMID: 37961509.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 10/25/2023

    de Oliveira Junior GP, Welsh JA, Pinckney B, Palu CC, Lu S, Zimmerman A, Barbosa RH, Sahu P, Noshin M, Gummuluru S, Tigges J, Jones JC, Ivanov AR, Ghiran IC. Human red blood cells release microvesicles with distinct sizes and protein composition that alter neutrophil phagocytosis. J Extracell Biol. 2023 Nov; 2(11). PMID: 37942280.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 5/12/2023

    Tseng AE, Carossino M, Gertje HP, O'Connell AK, Gummuluru S, Kolachalama VB, Balasuriya UBR, Connor JH, Bennett RS, Liu DX, Hensley LE, Crossland NA. Hepatic proinflammatory myeloid phenotypes are a hallmark of Ebola virus Kikwit pathogenesis in rhesus monkeys. Vet Pathol. 2023 Jul; 60(4):473-487. PMID: 37170900.

    Read at: PubMed

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

Education

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