Raymond Welsh, Ph.D.

Academic Role: Professor

Faculty Appointment(s) In:
   Molecular Genetics and Microbiology
   Pathology

Other Affiliation(s):
   Center for AIDS Research
   Program in Immunology and Virology

Viral and Tumor Immunology

The focus of our research is on analyzing basic mechanisms of viral immunology and immunopathology. To do this, we study mouse model infections with a variety of viruses, including lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, murine cytomegalovirus, vaccinia virus, Pichinde virus, mouse hepatitis virus, herpes simplex virus, polyomavirus, and others. Our laboratory has demonstrated that natural killer (NK) cells become activated during viral infections and contribute to the natural resistance against viruses. We are currently examining which viral gene products are important in the sensitivity to NK cells and which functions of NK cells are important for their antiviral activity. The second major aim is to examine the specificities of virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) induced during viral infections and to determine what factors contribute to the development and maintenance of CTL memory. Included in this study is the analysis of apoptosis in activated lymphocyte populations and the demonstration of virus-induced immune deficiency associated with this apoptosis.

Representative Publications:

Wang XZ, Brehm MA, Welsh RM. Preapoptotic phenotype of viral epitope-specific CD8 T cells precludes memory development and is an intrinsic property of the epitope. J Immunol. 2004 Oct 15;173(8):5138-47.

Peacock CD, Welsh RM. Origin and fate of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus-specific CD8+ T cells coexpressing the inhibitory NK cell receptor Ly49G2. J Immunol. 2004 Jul 1;173(1):478-84.

Kim SK, Welsh RM.  Comprehensive early and lasting loss of memory CD8 T cells and functional memory during acute and persistent viral infections.  J Immunol. 2004 Mar 1;172(5):3139-50.

Welsh RM, Selin LK, Szomolanyi-Tsuda E.  Immunological memory to viral infections. Annu Rev Immunol. 2004;22:711-43. Review.

Peacock CD, Kim SK, Welsh RM. Attrition of virus-specific memory CD8+ T cells during reconstitution of lymphopenic environments. J Immunol. 2003 Jul 15;171(2):655-63.

Wang XZ, Stepp SE, Brehm MA, Chen HD, Selin LK, Welsh RM. Virus-specific CD8 T cells in peripheral tissues are more resistant to apoptosis than those in lymphoid organs. Immunity. 2003 May;18(5):631-42.

Potential Rotation Projects

1. Determine the nature of crossreactivity between virus-specific T cells and allogeneic histocompatibility antigens
2. Determine whether NK cells expressing discrete NK cell receptors proliferate in response to specific viruses
3. Determine the mechanism by which interferon induces apoptosis in memory T cells

Academic Background

PhD, 1972, University of Massachusetts

Office: S2-244
Phone: 508-856-5819
E-mail: Raymond.Welsh@umassmed.edu
Keywords: Immunology, Virology

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