• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation | OMRF

OMRF is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institute dedicated to discoveries that make a difference.

  • About
    • General Information
    • Disease Research
    • Education & Outreach
    • Events
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
  • Science
    • Scientist Directory
    • Research Programs
    • Research Centers
    • Core Facilities
    • Scientific Publications
    • Scientific Seminars
    • Technology Ventures
  • News
    • Media Resources
    • News Releases
    • Publications
    • On Your Health
    • Bodywork
  • Patients
    • Anti-Aging Studies
    • Lupus (SLE)
    • MBTPS1 Related Disorders
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Sarcoidosis
    • Sjögren’s Disease
    • Other Autoimmune Disorders
  • Donate
    • Donate Now
    • Tax Credit
    • Planned Giving
    • Vehicle Donations
    • Why We Give
    • Your Gift at Work
    • Donor Recognition
    • Contact
  • My 101
  • Research
  • Brief CV
  • Publications
  • Contact
  • Lab Staff
  • Lab Website
  • News
Home - Science - Scientist Directory - Deshmukh, Umesh

Umesh Deshmukh, Ph.D.

Associate Member
Arthritis & Clinical Immunology Research Program

Adjunct Professor, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Member, Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience, Adjunct Associate Professor of Periodontics, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

My 101

Autoimmune and autoinflammatory disorders are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Complex interactions between multiple genetic and environmental factors are essential for the development of these disorders. Our laboratory is interested in understanding how autoimmune responses are initiated, amplified and how they cause tissue injury and pathology.

Sjögren’s syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disorder responsible for causing severe dry mouth, dry eyes, and fatigue. Our laboratory investigates how non-specific activation of the immune system by viruses and bacteria can lead to the development of Sjögren’s syndrome.

Recently, our laboratory has started working on an inflammatory disorder, Sarcoidosis, that mainly affects the lungs. We are developing experimental model systems to test the efficacy of different therapeutics to treat this enigmatic disorder.

Research

Activation of innate immunity by danger signals emanating from external and internal sources is a crucial first-line defense mechanism. However, excessive and chronic activation of innate immunity can lead to autoinflammatory and autoimmune disorders.

The primary focus of my laboratory is to investigate how innate immune responses contribute to the pathology of Sjogren’s syndrome and Sarcoidosis. Our lab integrates human clinical research with disease-relevant animal model systems to gain in-depth knowledge of disease mechanisms.  We feel this is key for developing novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to treat autoimmune and autoinflammatory disorders.

For details, please follow the lab website link: http://deshmukh.omrf.org/

Brief CV

Education
M.Sc., University of Poona, Pune, India 1988
Ph.D., Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India 1995

Honors and Awards
Young Scientist Award, Indian Immunology Society, 1993
Postdoctoral Fellowship, Arthritis Foundation, 1998
Young Investigator Award, International Congress in SLE, China, 2007
Excellence in Research Award, Dept of Medicine, University of Virginia, 2009
Scientist Development Grant, American Heart Association, 2001
J. Donald and Patricia Capra Award for Scientific Achievement, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK, 2017

Other Activities
Standing Member Oral Dental and Craniofacial Sciences Study Section, NIH, 2019-2023
Associate Editor, Frontiers in Immunology (Autoimmune and Autoinflammatory Disorders)
Program Coordinator for the OMRF BioLabs program (Traineeship for students from Polish Universities)

Memberships
American Association of Immunologists

Joined OMRF scientific staff in 2013

Publications

View more publications

Recent Publications

Bagavant H, Trzeciak M, Biswas I, Papinska JA, Cizio K, Deshmukh US. Antibody deposition on vascular endothelial cells contributes to localized inflammation in salivary glands. J Oral Pathol Med, 2022 June, PMID: 35766433, PMCID: PMC9388553

Bagavant H, Cizio K, Araszkiewicz AM, Papinska JA, Garman L, Li C, Pezant N, Drake WP, Montgomery CG, Deshmukh US. Systemic immune response to vimentin and granuloma formation in a model of pulmonary sarcoidosis. J Transl Autoimmun 5:100153, 2022 April, PMID: 35434591, PMCID: PMC9006845

Bagavant H, Araszkiewicz AM, Rasmussen A, Pezant N, Montgomery C, Scofield RH, Farris D, Lessard CJ, Deshmukh US. Anti-vimentin antibodies are associated with higher severity of Sjögren's disease. Clin Immunol 247:109243, 1970 January, PMID: 36702181

Selected Publications

Papinska J, Bagavant H, Gymrek GB, Deshmukh US. Pulmonary Involvement in a Mouse Model of Sjögren's Syndrome Induced by STING Activation. Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Jun 25;21(12):4512. doi:10.3390/ijms21124512. PMID: 32630417, PMCID: PMC7349948.

Allushi B, Bagavant H, Papinska J, Deshmukh US. Hyperglycemia and Salivary Gland Dysfunction in the Non-obese Diabetic Mouse: Caveats for Preclinical Studies in Sjögren's Syndrome. Sci Rep. 2019 Nov 29;9(1):17969. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-54410-9. PMID: 31784615, PMCID: PMC6884560

Papinska J, Bagavant H, Gmyrek GB, Sroka M, Tummala S, Fitzgerald KA, Deshmukh US. Activation of Stimulator of Interferon Genes (STING) and Sjögren's Syndrome. J Dent Res. 2018 Jul;97(8):893-900. doi: 10.1177/0022034518760855. Epub 2018 Mar 5. PMID: 29505322, PMCID: PMC6728552.

Szczerba BM, Kaplonek P, Wolska N, Podsiadlowska A, Rybakowska PD, Dey P, Rasmussen A, Grundahl K, Hefner KS, Stone DU, Young S, Lewis DM, Radfar L, Scofield RH, Sivils KL, Bagavant H, Deshmukh US. Interaction between innate immunity and Ro52-induced antibody causes Sjögren's syndrome-like disorder in mice. Ann Rheum Dis. 2016 Mar;75(3):617-622. doi: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-206297. Epub 2015 Feb 5. PMID: 25906316, PMCID: PMC4526450.

Deshmukh US, Bagavant H. When killers become helpers. Sci Transl Med 5: 195fs129, 2013. PMID: 23884464 PMCID: PMC3955842

Szczerba BM, Rybakowska PD, Dey P, Payerhin KM, Peck AB, Bagavant H, Deshmukh US. Type I interferon receptor deficiency prevents murine Sjögren's syndrome. J Dent Res 92: 444-449, 2013. PMID: 23533183 PMCID: PMC3627507

Contact

Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Research Program, MS 24
Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
825 N.E. 13th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73104

Phone: (405) 271-2463
Fax: (405) 271-4110
E-mail: Umesh-Deshmukh@omrf.org

For media inquiries, please contact OMRF’s Office of Public Affairs at news@omrf.org.

Lab Staff

Harini Bagavant, Ph.D.
Research Associate Member

Justyna Durslewicz
Research Trainee

Joanna Papinska
Graduate Student

Louise Williamson
Finance and Administrative Specialist

News from the Deshmukh lab

Dr. Deshmukh in the Media

News from the Deshmukh lab

Not quite home for the holidays
December 21, 2021

At OMRF, many experience the holidays thousands of miles from home.

OMRF to investigate link between viral infection, autoimmunity
August 4, 2021

The NIH has awarded OMRF $480,000 to investigate the long-term effects of viral infections on autoimmunity.

OMRF seeks volunteers for sarcoidosis research
September 22, 2020

To participate or for more information, please contact OMRF’s Sarcoidosis Research Unit at 405-271-2504, 800-605-7447 or sru@omrf.org.

Dental hygiene may be key for lupus
November 29, 2018

OMRF scientists have found a link between gum disease and lupus, an autoimmune disease.

OMRF hosts 2018 Loyal Donors reception
May 15, 2018

OMRF officials brought more than 110 long-time donors together from across the state to celebrate their dedicated supporters at the annual Loyal Donor Society reception.

“Stocking” up on healthy gifts
December 18, 2017

We have a few ideas to help you with stocking-stuffers for the health or fitness junkie in your life.

OMRF opens state’s first germ-free mouse research facility
October 13, 2017

The center offers researchers the ability to raise and study mice in an environment free of germs and microbes.

OMRF names new board member and VP
April 14, 2017

OMRF hosted its semiannual meeting on Thursday.

New grant funds research into a debilitating autoimmune disease
January 6, 2016

OMRF scientist receives $2.14 million to investigate biological origins of Sjögren’s.

Polish exchange program brings young scientists to OMRF
February 5, 2015

In 2013, OMRF was named as a host institution for Poland’s competitive Visiting Research Graduate Traineeship Program.

Aluminum compound triggers disease in genetically susceptible mice
June 3, 2014

Scientists are seeking to learn more about “innate immunity.”

Oral hygiene could be key to avoiding autoimmune diseases
September 17, 2013

Bacteria hiding in the mouth might be a trigger for lupus and other diseases.

OMRF welcomes two new scientists
August 30, 2013

Drs. David Jones and Umesh Deshmukh bring new research to the foundation.

XX Marks the Spot
September 15, 2016

When Chip Morgan met the first class of Polish biology students to come to OMRF for a year-long training program in 2013, he couldn’t help but notice something. “They were all women,” says the foundation’s long-time executive vice president and chief operating officer. The next year, the story was the same. Ditto in 2015. “I […]

Dr. Deshmukh in the Media

Oklahoma scientists find link between lupus and dental hygiene 
KOCO.com

Presbyterian Health Foundation awards grants
JournalRecord.com

OMRF reports dental hygiene research
JournalRecord.com

Dental hygiene may be key for lupus
NewsOk.com

 

Before Footer

EEO/AA Employer/Vet/Disabled

Footer

  • Jobs
  • Directory
  • Donor Privacy Statement
  • Intranet
Facebook Twitter Instagram Linkedin

Subscribe to OMRF News
  • Contact
  • Careers
  • Donor Privacy
  • Intranet
OMRF Logo
OKLAHOMA MEDICAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION
825 NE 13th St.
Oklahoma City, OK 73104
(405) 271-6673
Charity navigatorUnited WayGive Smart OKCTop Workplace