McGowan Research Group

Principal Investigator: Ian McGowan, MD, PhD, FRCP

As Co-Principal Investigator of the Microbicide Trials Network, Dr. McGowan helps lead a major global effort that will design and implement an expansive portfolio of clinical trials of candidate microbicides at twenty clinical research sites in seven countries between 2006 and 2013. The goal of the MTN is to reduce the sexual transmission of HIV through the development and evaluation of microbicides. The MTN has been specifically designed to facilitate the research required to support licensure of microbicide products for widespread use.

Dr. McGowan’s lab focuses on the preclinical and clinical evaluation of rectal microbicides. This includes evaluation of the safety profile of candidate microbicides as well as ex vivo / in vitro efficacy. Safety assessment includes evaluation of histological changes associated with the use of microbicides as well as changes in digestive tracts immune system (gut associated lymphoid tissue; GALT). Changes in digestive tract immune system are evaluated by analyzing key immunological parameters such as GALT T cell phenotype and tissue expression of chemokines (chemo-attractant to guide the migration of cells)and immunomodulating agents (cytokines) mRNA and protein.

Lab Members

Khaleel Khaja PhD, MBA

Project Manager
Phone: 412-641-7548
Email

Laura E. Janocko, PhD

Research Manager
Phone: 412-741-7547
Email

Lucio R. Minces, MD

Phone: 412-641-7509
Email

Kathy Duffil

Phone: 412-641-3384
Email

Vicki Elborne, BS

Phone: 412-641-7508
Email

Shaun M. Burneisen, BS

Email

Agnese Pollice, MA

Flow Cytometry Specialist
Phone: 412-641-3383
Email

Aaron Siegel, BA

Lab Technician
Phone: 412-641-7767
Email

Selected Publications

  • Ventuneac A, Carballo-Dieguez A, McGowan I, Dennis R, Adler A, Khanukhova E, Price C, Saunders T, Siboliban C, & Anton P. Acceptability of UC781 gel as a rectal microbicide among HIV-uninfected women and men. AIDS Behav, Sep. 11, 2009.
  • Herrera C, Cranage M, McGowan I, Anton P, & Shattock RJ. Reverse transcriptase inhibitors as potential colorectal microbicides. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 53(5):1797-807, May 2009.
  • McGowan I & Anton P. Rectal microbicides. Curr Opin HIV AIDS, 3(5):593-8, Sep. 2008.
  • McGowan I. Rectal microbicides: a new focus for HIV prevention. Sex Transm Infect, 84(6):413-7, Nov. 2008.
  • Cranage M, Sharpe S, Herrera C, Cope A, Dennis M, Berry N, Ham C, Heeney J, Rezk N, Kashuba A, Anton P, McGowan I, & Shattock R. Prevention of SIV rectal transmission and priming of T cell responses in macaques after local pre-exposure application of tenofovir gel. PLoS Med, 5(8):e157; discussione, Aug. 5, 2008.
  • Cohen C, Forzan M, Sproat B, Pantophlet R, McGowan I, Burton D, & James W. An aptamer that neutralizes R5 strains of HIV-1 binds to core residues of gp120 in the CCR5 binding site. Virology, 381(1):46-54, Nov. 10, 2008.
  • McGowan I, Elliott J, Cortina G, Tanner K, Siboliban C, Adler A, Cho D, Boscardin WJ, Soto-Torres L, & Anton PA. Characterization of baseline intestinal mucosal indices of injury and inflammation in men for use in rectal microbicide trials (HIV Prevention Trials Network-056). J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr, 46(4):417-25, Dec. 1, 2007.
  • Grivel JC, Elliott J, Lisco A, Biancotto A, Condack C, Shattock RJ, McGowan I, Margolis L, & Anton P. HIV-1 pathogenesis differs in rectosigmoid and tonsillar tissues infected ex vivo with CCR5- and CXCR4-tropic HIV-1. AIDS, 21(10):1263-72, Jun. 19, 2007.
  • Ramjee G, Shattock R, Delany S, McGowan I, Morar N, & Gottemoeller M. Microbicides 2006 conference. AIDS Res Ther, 3:25, 2006.
  • Poles MA, Boscardin WJ, Elliott J, Taing P, Fuerst MM, McGowan I, Brown S, & Anton PA. Lack of decay of HIV-1 in gut-associated lymphoid tissue reservoirs in maximally suppressed individuals. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr, 43(1):65-8, Sep. 2006.
  • McGowan I. Microbicides: A new frontier in HIV prevention. Biologicals, 34(4):241-55, Dec. 2006.
  • Fletcher PS, Elliott J, Grivel JC, Margolis L, Anton P, McGowan I, & Shattock RJ. Ex vivo culture of human colorectal tissue for the evaluation of candidate microbicides. AIDS, 20(9):1237-45, Jun. 12, 2006.
  • Gurney KB, Elliott J, Nassanian H, Song C, Soilleux E, McGowan I, Anton PA, & Lee B. Binding and transfer of human immunodeficiency virus by DC-SIGN+ cells in human rectal mucosa. J Virol, 79(9):5762-73, May 2005.
  • McGowan I, Elliott J, Fuerst M, Taing P, Boscardin J, Poles M, & Anton P. Increased HIV-1 mucosal replication is associated with generalized mucosal cytokine activation. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr, 37(2):1228-36, Oct.1, 2004.

Publications on PubMed

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