Education
B.S. (1992), Lake Superior State University, Sault Ste. Marie, MI
Ph.D. (1999), Michigan State University, Lansing, MI
Postdoctoral (1999-2003), Michigan State University, Lansing, MI
Research Interests
- Toxicology - dermal, behavioral, immunological, cardiovascular, and nanoparticles.
- Mechanisms
of immune modulation by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and other chemicals
with particular emphasis on immunoglobulin heavy chain gene regulation
The research focus of my laboratory is in the area of immunotoxicology and
involves understanding, at the molecular level, the impact on B cell function
of various chemicals from environmental, industrial, dietary and pharmaceutical
origin. B cells are an important effector cell in maintaining immunity against
a wide variety of pathogens. B cells produce and secrete antibodies which
have the ability to recognize specific antigens (i.e., foreign molecules)
and lead to the clearance of these antigens from the body. B cells and antibodies
therefore play an important role in host protection. Exposure to exogenous
chemicals either through the diet, pharmaceuticals or environment may impair
immune function. TCDD (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin or dioxin) has
been identified as a potent suppressor of B cell function by markedly inhibiting
antibody secretion. This is of human relevance and toxicological interest
since TCDD is only one representative of a large class of environmental chemicals.
The toxic effects of these chemicals may be mediated through the aryl hydrocarbon
receptor (AhR) signaling pathway.
The AhR is a cytosolic protein which has affinity for TCDD and like compounds.
Binding of TCDD to the AhR results in nuclear translocation of the ligand-receptor
complex where it forms a heterodimer with the AhR nuclear translocator (ARNT).
The AhR-ARNT complex is a transcription factor that binds to the DNA at dioxin
responsive elements within regulatory regions of sensitive genes and regulates
transcription. In addition to directly activating the AhR signaling pathway,
TCDD has also been shown to modulate the activity of other signaling pathways
including the NF-κB/Rel pathway. The specific interactions between the AhR
and NF-κB/Rel pathways are unclear and may be important in the effects of
TCDD on B cell function, specifically the inhibition of immunoglobulin (Ig)
expression and antibody secretion (secreted form of Ig). We have found that
a regulatory region 3’ of the Ig heavy chain gene (IgH) is a sensitive
target of TCDD and that inhibition of this region may involve both the AhR
and NF-κB/Rel proteins. The 3’IgH RR has been purported to regulate
IgH expression and isotype class switching. Our research goal is to understand
the molecular interactions between the AhR and NF-κB/Rel proteins at the
3’IgH regulatory region in order to elucidate their role in TCDD-induced
inhibition of IgH expression.
The 3’IgH RR has been associated with the occurrence and severity
of specific human autoimmune diseases. Chemical-induced alteration in the
regulation of the 3’IgH RR may be significant in discovering the presently
elusive etiology of some autoimmune diseases. Clearly, understanding how
chemicals modify the 3’IgH RR and IgH expression will lead to a better
understanding of the basic physiology of IgH expression and will ultimately
lead to improved drug development and prediction of potential toxic interactions.
We utilize several molecular and cellular biology techniques including cell culture of cell lines and primary cells, Western blotting, EMSA analysis, in vitro DNA transfection of mammalian cells, ELISA analysis, and flow cytometry.
Selected Publications
Peer-reviewed publications
Henseler, R. A., Romer, E. J., Sulentic, C. E. W.: Chemical-induced Modulation of the 3’IgH regulatory region in the CH12.LX Cell Line: an in vitro Model for Identifying Immunotoxicants that Target B Cell Function. In preparation.
Romer, E. J., Sulentic, C. E. W.: Role of Reactive Oxygen Species in Antibody Production from CD5+ B Cells. In preparation.
Sulentic, C. E. W., Wei, Z., Na, Y. J., Kaminski, N. E.: 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, an Exogenous Modulator of the 3'α Immunoglobulin Heavy Chain Enhancer in the CH12.LX Mouse Cell Line. J. Pharm. Exp. Ther. 309:71-78 (2004).
Sulentic, C. E. W., Kang, J. S., Na, Y. J., Kaminski, N. E.: Regulation of the 3'α-hs4 Domain by DRE and κB Binding Proteins. Toxicology. 200:235-246 (2004).
Crawford, R. B., Sulentic, C. E. W., Yoo, B. S., Kaminski, N. E.: 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) alters the regulation and posttranslational modification of p27kip1 in lipopolysaccharide-activated B cells. Toxicol. Sciences, 75:333-342 (2003). [Abstract]
Kaminski, N. E., Sulentic, C. E. W., Kang, J. S.: Looking inside the cell for mechanisms of Immunotoxicity: Experimental Design & Approaches Aimed Toward Elucidation of TCDD-mediated B cell Dysfunction. J. Toxicol. Public Health 17:205-210 (2000).
Sulentic, C. E. W., Holsapple, M. P., Kaminski, N. E.: Putative link between Transcriptional Regulation of IgM Expression by 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin
and the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor/dioxin-responsive Enhancer Signaling Pathway. J. Pharm. Exp. Ther., 295:705-716 (2000). [Abstract]
Sulentic, C. E. W., Holsapple, M. P., Kaminski, N. E.: AhR-dependent Suppression by 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin of IgM Secretion in Activated B cells. Mol. Pharm., 53:623-629 (1998).
Williams, C. E., Crawford, R. B., Holsapple, M. P., Kaminski, N. E.: Identification of Functional Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor and Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Nuclear
Translocator in Murine Splenocytes. Biochem. Pharmacol. 52:771-780 (1996). [Abstract]
Solicited, nonpeer-reviewed publications
Sulentic, C.E.W.: Modulation of Immunoglobulin Gene Expression. In: Current Protocols in Toxicology Unit 18.13, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, NJ. In revision.
Sulentic, C.E.W. and Kaminski, N.E.: Humoral Immunity. In: Encyclopedic Reference of Immunotoxicology (ed. H.-W. Vohr) XXII, 730, Springer Press Heidelberg, Germany (2005).
Kaminski, N.E. and Sulentic, C.E.W.: B cell. In: Encyclopedic Reference of Immunotoxicology (ed. H.-W. Vohr) XXII, 730, Springer Press Heidelberg, Germany (2005).
For more information, contact:
Courtney E. W. Sulentic, Ph.D.
Assistant
Professor
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Boonshoft School of Medicine
Wright State University
3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy.
Dayton, OH 45435-0001
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