David Johnson

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Our lab focuses on two human herpesviruses: herpes simplex virus (HSV) and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV).  We study interactions between these viruses and host cells, the immune system and viral pathogenesis. One major focus is on how HSV moves within and between neurons.  HSV establishes latency in neurons and periodically reactivates, then spreads along neuronal axons to peripheral tissues. HSV infections in the cornea can lead to scarring and blindness - HSV is still the major infectious cause of blindness in the western world. We have identified two HSV proteins that promote transport of HSV on microtubules motors in neuronal axons (Polcicova, K. et al. 2005, PNAS 102:11462).  Other studies involve how HSV crosses the nuclear envelope (Farnsworth et al. 2007. PNAS 104: 10187-92). Our work on HCMV has focused on viral immune evasion and inhibition of the MHC class I and II antigen presentation pathways. We have studied the molecular mechanisms involved in the inhibition, or destruction, of MHC class I or II proteins by viral proteins (Hegde et al. J. Exp. Med. 2005 202:1109 and 2006. J. Biol. Chem. 281:20910.  Other studies on HCMV involve virus tropism, how HCMV infects different cells by using different receptors (Ryckman, B et al. 2006, J. Virol. 80:710 and 2007 J. Virol in press). For more information, please click here.

Selected Recent Publications

Katarina Polcicova, Partha Sarathi Biswas, Kaustuv Banerjee, Todd W. Wisner *, Barry T. Rouse, and David C. Johnson. Herpes keratitis in the absence of anterograde transport of virus from sensory ganglia to the cornea. (2005) PNAS 102(32), 11462-11467. -Download-

Aaron Farnsworth, Todd W. Wisner, Michael Webb, Richard Roller, Gary Cohen, Roselyn Eisenberg, and David C. Johnson. Herpes simplex virus glycoproteins gB and gH function in fusion between the virion envelope and the outer nuclear membrane.(2007) PNAS 104(24), 10187-10192. -Download- (subscription required)

Nagendra R. Hegde, Claire Dunn, David M. Lewinsohn, Michael A. Jarvis, Jay A. Nelson, and David C. Johnson. Endogenous human cytomegalovirus gB is presented efficiently by MHC class II molecules to CD4+ CTL. J. Exp. Med., Oct 2005; 202: 1109 - 1119. -Download-

Nagendra R. Hegde, Mathieu S. Chevalier, Todd W. Wisner, Michael C. Denton, Kathy Shire, Lori Frappier, and David C. Johnson. The Role of BiP in Endoplasmic Reticulum-associated Degradation of Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I Heavy Chain Induced by Cytomegalovirus Proteins. J. Biol. Chem., 281(30), 20910-20919. -Download-

Brent J. Ryckman, Michael A Jarvis, Derek D. Drummond, Jay A. Nelson, and David C. Johnson. Human Cytomegalovirus Entry into Epithelial and Endothelial Cells Depends on Genes UL128 to UL150 and Occurs by Endocytosis and Low-pH Fusion. J. Virol. 2006 80: 710-722. -Download-

Education and Experience

EDUCATION

1976	Genetics, BSc, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada
1981	Molecular Biology, PhD Washington University, St. Louis, MO

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

1996-	Professor, Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, OHSU
1995-96	Professor, Cancer Research Group, Department of Pathology, McMaster University
1991-92	Sabbatical Research Leave, Chiron Corporation, Emeryville, CA
1990-96	Associate Professor, Cancer Research Group, Department of Pathology, McMaster University
1984-90	Assistant Professor, Cancer Research Group, Department. of Pathology, McMaster University
1981-84	Postdoctoral Fellow, Laboratory of Dr. Patricia Spear, The University of Chicago