Umesh Deshmukh, Ph.D.

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

Sjögren’s syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disorder responsible for causing severe dry mouth, dry eyes and fatigue. A characteristic feature of this disorder is the presence of autoantibodies recognizing multiple self-proteins. We are investigating how a certain group of autoantibodies cause salivary gland dysfunction and dry mouth.

Recently, there has been a tremendous interest in deciphering the role of microbiota in human health and disease. Our laboratory is investigating how oral infections influence autoimmunity. We are studying the role of bacteria responsible for causing gum disease in the development and severity of lupus.

Presence of circulating autoantibodies reactive with multiple cellular proteins is a characteristic feature of autoimmune disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjögren’s syndrome. However, most of the proteins targeted in these disorders are located inside the cells and are shielded from circulating autoantibodies. My laboratory is investigating a basic question: How do autoantibodies recognizing intracellular proteins exert pathogenic effects in autoimmune disorders?

The other major area of research in my laboratory is to understand the mechanisms responsible for the initiation and amplification of autoimmune responses. We are interested in investigating the role of host-microbe interaction in pathogenesis of autoimmune disorders. Our research addresses a critical issue: Is bad oral health at a younger age a predisposing factor for autoimmunity?

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

Education
B.S., University of Poona, Pune, India 1986
M.S., University of Poona, Pune, India 1988
Ph.D., Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India 1995

Honors and Awards
1989 Junior Research Fellowship, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, India
1991 Senior Research Fellowship, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, India
1993 Young Scientist Award, Indian Immunology Society
1993 Diploma Certificate in Advanced Immunology, WACIID, Chiba, Japan
1993 Best Poster Award, XIX^th Annual Conference, Indian Immunology Society
1994 Trainee Investigator Grant, Biomedicine 97, AAP, ASCI and AFMR
1998 Postdoctoral Fellowship, Arthritis Foundation
2003 Carter Immunology Center Research Grant
2004 Federation of Clinical Immunology Society Travel Award
2005 Federation of Clinical Immunology Society Travel Award
2007 Young Investigator Award, International Congress in SLE, China
2009 Best Abstract Award, American College of Rheumatology, 73^rd Annual Meeting, Presented by Sjögren’s Syndrome Foundation
2009 Excellence in Research Award, Dept of Medicine, University of Virginia
2010 1R01AI079621 grant abstract selected by NIAID as an example of outstanding titles and abstracts from new NIAID investigators
2001 Scientist Development Grant, American Heart Association
2011 Federation of Clinical Immunology Society Travel Award
2011 Virginia Equipment Trust Fund Award
2012 American Association of Immunologists Travel Award, AAI Annual Meeting in Boston, MA
2014 Plenary Session Talk, American College of Rheumatologists Annual Meeting in Boston, MA
2017 J. Donald and Patricia Capra Award for Scientific Achievement, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK

Professional Activities

Grant Reviews: National: CMB review panel, FY17 Lupus Research Program, DOD CDMRP, 2018; NIH/NIDCR DSR Adhoc Member, 2018; NIH Special Emphasis Panel ZRG1 MOSS, 2010-2017; NIH ACTS Adhoc Member 2016; NIH ODCS Adhoc Member, 2010 & 2015; Lupus Research Institute, 2005-06, 2008-10; NIH Challenge Grants Panel ZRG1 MOSS, 2009; US Civilian Research & Development Foundation, 2008; International: Dutch Rheumatology Society, Netherlands, 2018; Medical Research Council, UK, 2015; Research Council of Norway, 2008

Journal Reviews (in alphabetical order): Annals of Rheumatic Diseases, Archives of Oral Biology, Arthritis Care and Research, Arthritis and Rheumatism/Rheumatology, Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Clinical Immunology, Experimental Eye Research, Expert Review of Clinical Immunology, Frontiers in Immunology, Immunology, International Journal of Molecular Science, Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Journal of Clinical Investigation Insights, Journal of Dental Research, Journal of Immunological Methods, Journal of Immunology, Journal of Leukocyte Biology, Journal of Oral Pathology and Medicine, Microbiome, Molecular Immunology, NPJ Regenerative Med, Odontology, Oral Diseases, Periodontology, PLOS One, Rheumatology, Science Translational Medicine, Scientific Reports, The Journal of Pathology, Tissue Barriers

Society Services: Co-Chair, Innate Immunity in Autoimmunity I, 101 Annual Meeting of American Associationi of Immunologists, 2014; Co-Chair, New Therapeutic Strategies for Autoimmune Diseases, 95^th Annual Meeting of American Association of Immunologist, 2008

Educational Activities:

Lecturer: Advanced Immunology Courses, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC); Graduate Program in the Biological Sciences (GPiBs) 2^nd year curriculum, OUHSC; Advanced Immunology Courses, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Virginia (UVA)

Mentoring of students: PhD Candidates, GPiBs rotating graduate students, Undergraduate Honors Thesis Students, OMRF Fleming Scholars Summer Research Program, OMRF Fulbright Scholars Program, Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics Summer Program, OUHSC Summer Undergraduate Research Program

Institutional Committees: OMRF Coordinator, Polish Masters Students Program, 2016-2019; OMRF Radiation Safety Committee, Member, 2015-2019; OMRF Library Committee, Member, 2014-2015; Polish Masters Students Program, Member Interview Committee, 2014-2015; Dr. Shyr-Te Ju Award Committee, Chair, UVA Dept of Medicine, 2010; Development Plan Committee, Member, UVA Dept of Medicine, 2010

Memberships
American Association of Immunologists

Joined OMRF Scientific Staff in 2013

View more publications

Recent Publications

Bagavant H, Dunkleberger ML, Wolska N, Sroka M, Rasmussen A, Adrianto I, Montgomery C, Sivils K, Guthridge JM, James JA, Merrill JT, Deshmukh US. Antibodies to periodontogenic bacteria are associated with higher disease activity in lupus patients. Clin Exp Rheumatol 37:106-111, 2019 January, PMID: 29998833, PMCID: PMC6309750

Trzeciak M, Bagavant H, Papinska J, Deshmukh US. Immune Response Targeting Sjögren's Syndrome Antigen Ro52 Suppresses Tear Production in Female Mice. Int J Mol Sci 19, 2018 September, PMID: 30261673, PMCID: PMC6213551

Papinska J, Bagavant H, Gmyrek GB, Sroka M, Tummala S, Fitzgerald KA, Deshmukh US. Activation of Stimulator of Interferon Genes (STING) and Sjögren Syndrome. J Dent Res 97:893-900, 2018 July, PMID: 29505322

Selected Publications

Bagavant H, Nandula SR, Kaplonek P, Rybakowska PD, Deshmukh US. Alum, an aluminum-based adjuvant, induces Sjogren's syndrome-like disorder in mice. Clin Exp Rheumatol 32:251-255, 2014. PMID: 24739520 PMCID: PMC3990870

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 Sjogren's syndrome. J Dent Res 92: 444-449, 2013. PMID: 23533183 PMCID: PMC3627507

Nandula SR, Dey P, Corbin KL, Nunemaker CS, Bagavant H, Deshmukh US. Salivary gland hypofunction induced by activation of innate immunity is dependent on type I interferon signaling. J Oral Pathol Med 42: 66-72, 2013. PMID: 22672212 PMCID: PMC3443546

Scindia YM, Deshmukh US, Bagavant H. Mesangial pathology in glomerular disease: targets for therapeutic intervention. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 62: 1337-1343, 2010. PMID: 20828589 PMCID: PMC2992591

Nandula SR, Scindia YM, Dey P, Bagavant H, Deshmukh US. Activation of innate immunity accelerates sialoadenitis in a mouse model for Sjogren's syndrome-like disease. Oral Dis 17: 801-807, 2011. PMID: 21815968 PMCID: PMC3192939

Umesh Deshmukh, Ph.D.
Associate Member

Harini Bagavant, M.B.B.S., Ph.D.
Research Associate Member

Tanisha Dhakephalkar
Research Technician

Katarzyna Cizio
Research Trainee (Polish Student Exchange Program)

Aleksandra Michrowska
Research Trainee (Polish Student Exchange Program)

Louise Williamson
Administrative Assistant III

News from the Deshmukh lab

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.