Education

Post-doctoral fellowship, Johns Hopkins University

Post-doctoral fellowship, Universite Pierre et Marie Curie

Post-doctoral fellowship, India Institute of Science

PhD, University of Madras (India), 1996

MSc, University of Madras, 1988

BS, University of Madras, 1986

Research Interest

The overall goal of our research program is to identify the genetic mechanisms of susceptibility to oxidative stress related lung diseases such as cigarette smoke (CS)–mediated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), allergic asthma, bacterial pneumonia and septic shock. Our long term objectives are 1) to identify the host factors that determine the susceptibility to CS-induced COPD, allergic airway inflammation,  bacterial pneumonia, and acute lung injury and septic shock, using genetic, genomic, and proteomic methods which are especially valuable in the study of complex disease conditions, 2) to identify and characterize specific molecular pathways that are associated with COPD and asthma, 3) to investigate the role of the major anti-oxidative transcription factor Nrf2 in dendritic cell activation, T cell differentiation, and in stem cell differentiation, and 4) to develop small molecule/stem cell based therapeutic interventions in oxidative stress related lung diseases. I have extensive expertise in mouse models of inflammatory lung diseases including CS-induced pulmonary emphysema, allergic asthma, bacterial pneumonia and endotoxin/ceacal ligation and puncture mediated acute lung injury and septic shock; lung morphometric measurements (measurement of alveolar size, septal thickness, mean linear intercept, and surface to volume ratio using Metamorph software program); measurement of lung elastance and resistance in asthmatic mice; isolation and characterization of bone marrow and lung derived mesenchymal stem cells; generation of myeloid dendritic cells/macrophages/neutrophils from bone marrows, differentiation of Th1/Th2/FOX P3 regulatory T cells, bacterial culture, extracellular and intracellular (opsonophagocytosis) bacterial killing assays, gene expression arrays (Affymetrix), expression (in E. coli) and purification of (using FPLC) recombinant proteins, development of contraceptive vaccine (mice rats and rabbits) and epitope mapping, validation of marker gene (s) expression using qPCR, lung pathology, flow cyotometry, in vitro cell-culture experiments, as well as in various immunological and molecular techniques.  We are currently investigating the role of the transcription factor Nrf2 in pneumonia caused by different Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial species. We are also currently developing lung mesenchymal stem cell based intervention in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)-associated bacterial exacerbations, as well as in various infectious lung diseases including pneumonia caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and superbugs [methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and carbapenem resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae]. The accomplishment of these goals will require multidisciplinary research that coordinates basic scientific and clinical investigations.  

Teaching Interest

Introduction to Research (VMED 7004 – Graduate Course) 

Awards & Honors

Science and Innovation Center Abstract Award (2023) – Received at The American Thoracic Society International Conference, Washington DC, USA.

Early Career Faculty Travel Grant (2020) - Received at the Immunology 2020 Conference Honolulu, Hawaii.

Yearly Career Faculty Travel Grant (2018) - Received at the Immunology 2018 Conference, Austin, Tx.

Young Investigator Travel Award (2016) - National Symposium of Biomedical Research Excellence: Conducted by National Institute of Health, Washington DC, USA.

Peter Henson Award (2011) - Best Poster Presentation, ICLIP Conference, Denver, Colorado.

Best Abstract Travel Award (2011) - Workshop on Adult Stem Cells, Lung Biology, and Lung Disease: Conducted by The NHLBI at Burlington, Vermont, USA.

Best Research Poster Presentation Award (2005) - Received from the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA.

Scholar in Training Award (2003) - For the Meritorious Research Findings, Received from the American Association for Cancer Research, Washington DC, USA.

Lasker Fellowship (2001 – 2004) (Total Fellowship - $ 52,500) - Received from Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA.

Best Paper Presentation Award (1995) – Received at the All India Conference on Invertebrate Reproduction, held at Cannanore, India.

Best Paper Presentation Award (1994) - Received at the All India Conference on Reproductive Biology and Comparative Endocrinology, held at Central University, Pondichery, India.

CSIR-UGC Senior Research Fellowship Award (1992) - Received from The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and University Grant Council, India.

Best Paper Presentation Award (1991) - All India Conference on Reproductive Biology and Comparative Endocrinology, held at Bharadhidasan University, Trichy, India.

CSIR-UGC Lectureship Award (1990) - The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and University Grant Council, India.

Selected Publications

Rangasamy T*, Ghimire L, Jin L, Le J, Periasamy S, Paudel S, Cai S, Jeyaseelan S*. Host Defense against Klebsiella pneumoniae Pneumonia Is Augmented by Lung-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells. J Immunol. 2021 Aug 15;207(4):1112-1127. *, one of the communicating authors.

Yoshida T, Mett I, Bhunia, AK, Bowman J, Perez M, Zhang L, Gandjeva A, Zhen L, Chukwueke U, Mao T, Richter A, Brown E, Ashush H, Notkin N, Gelfand A, Thimmulappa RK, Rangasamy T, Sussan T, Cosgrove G, Mouded M, Shapiro SD, Petrache I, Biswal S, Feinstein E, Tuder RM. Rtp801, a suppressor of mTOR signaling, is an essential mediator of cigarette smoke-induced pulmonary injury and emphysema. Nat Med. 2010 Jul;16(7):767-73.

Rangasamy T, Semenza G (won the Nobel Prize in 2019), Georas SN. What is hypoxia-inducible factor-1 doing in the allergic lung? Allergy. 2011 Jul;66(7):815-7.

Rangasamy T*, Williams MA*, Bauer S, Trush MA, Emo J, Georas SN, Biswal S. Ragweed extract activates dendritic cells in an oxidative stress- and Nrf2-dependent manner. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. 2010 Sep;43(3):276-85. *, equal authors.

Roman J, Rangasamy T, Guo J, Sugunan S, Meednu N, Packirisamy G, Shimoda L, Golding A, Semenza G (Nobel Laureate), Georas SN. (2009). T Cell activation under hypoxic conditions enhances interferon-gamma secretion. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. 2009 Jan 42;42(1):123-8. Rangasamy T, Misra V, Zhen L, Tankersley CG, Tuder RM, Biswal S. Cigarette smoke-induced emphysema in A/J mice is associated with pulmonary oxidative stress, apoptosis of lung cells, and global alterations in gene expression. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. 2009 Jun;296(6):L888-900. *, one of the communicating authors.

Sussan TE*, Rangasamy T*, Blake DJ*, Malhotra D, El-Haddad H, Bedja D, Yates MS, Kombairaju P, Yamamoto M, Liby KT, Sporn MB, Gabrielson KL, Champion HC, Tuder RM, Kensler TW, Biswal S. Targeting Nrf2 with the triterpenoid CDDO-imidazolide attenuates cigarette smoke-induced emphysema and cardiac dysfunction in mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2009 Jan 6;106(1):250-5. *, equal authors.

Williams MA*, Rangasamy T*, Bauer SM, Killedar S, Karp M, Kensler TW, Yamamoto M, Breysse P, Biswal S, Georas SN. Disruption of the transcription factor Nrf2 promotes pro-oxidative dendritic cells that stimulate Th2-like immunoresponsiveness upon activation by ambient particulate matter. J Immunol. 2008 Oct 1;181(7):4545-59. *, equal authors.

Rangasamy T, Guo J, Mitzner WA, Roman J, Singh A, Fryer AD, Yamamoto M, Kensler TW, Tuder RM, Georas SN, Biswal S. Disruption of Nrf2 enhances susceptibility to severe airway inflammation and asthma in mice. J Exp Med. 2005 Jul 4;202(1):47-59.

Rangasamy T, Cho CY, Thimmulappa RK, Zhen L, Srisuma SS, Kensler TW, Yamamoto M, Petrache I, Tuder RM, Biswal S. Genetic ablation of Nrf2 enhances susceptibility to cigarette smoke-induced emphysema in mice. J Clin Invest. 2004 Nov;114(9):1248-59.

Grant Funding

Current Research Funding

1R01AI180123-01A1 Jeyaseelan (PI) 07/01/24 – 05/31/29. ”Inflammatory Organ Injury after Pneumonia-Derived Sepsis.” Role: Co-Investigator Total Funding: $3,576,080.00

2P20GM130555-06 Dugas (PI) and Cormier (PI) 07/01/24 – 06/30/29. “Center for Lung Biology and Disease.” Role: Co-Director, Inhalation and Infection Core Total Funding: $10,890,955.00

1RO1AI157353-01 Jeyaseelan (PI) 05/01/21 – 04/30/27. “Host Immunity in Sepsis-Induced Systemic Infection.” Role: Co-Investigator Total Funding: $2,932,935.00

1RO1AI140500-01 Jeyaseelan (PI) 06/01/18 – 05/31/25. “Innate Immunity in Lung Infection-Induced Sepsis.” Role: Co-Investigator Total Funding: $2,927,440.00

Completed Research Funding

1P20GM130555-01 Jeyaseelan (PI) 01/02/19 – 12/31/23. Center For Lung Biology and Disease. Role: Co-Investigator (Mol Biol Core) Total Funding: $11,530,336.00

1P20GM130555-01 Rangasamy (PI) 05/25/21 – 12/31/21. “LMSCs based intervention in emphysema-associated bacterial exacerbation.” Role: PI Total Funding: $50, 000.00

1R21AI133681-01A1 Jeyaseelan (PI) 12/07/17 – 11/30/21. “Role of Lung Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Pneumonia-induced Sepsis.” Role: Co-Investigator Direct Cost: $275, 000

1P20GM130555-01 Pilot Grant Rangasamy (PI) 09/16/19 – 04/30/20. “Role of LMSCs in SHS-mediated bacterial exacerbation.” Role: (PI) Total Funding: $50, 000.00

Competitive Research Program Funds (LSU) Rangasamy (PI) 07/01/16 – 06/30/17. “Modulation of Neutrophil Function by Lung Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Pneumonic Sepsis.” Role (PI) Total Funding: $8, 000.00

COBRE-CEIDER Pilot Grant (LSU) Rangasamy (PI) 10/01/15 – 04/30/17. Sca1+ Lung Mesenchymal Stem Cell Based Intervention in Bacterial Pneumonia.” Role (PI) Total Funding: $50, 000.00

1R01 HL101813 Mariani (PI) 04/01/11 - 03/31/16. “PPAR gamma as a Therapeutic Target in COPD.” Role: Co-Investigator Direct Cost: $1 million

1U01HL122700 Pryhuber (PI) 04/02/14-12/31/14. "Biorepository for Investigation of Neonatal Diseases of Lung-Norma (BRINDL-NL)." Role: Collaborator Total Funding: $1. 2 million

1R01 DA037447 Mariani (PI) 07/01/14-06/30/19. “Comparative Transcriptomic Signatures of Inhaled Tobacco Smoke.” Role: Co-Investigator Total Funding: $2.1 million

2R01 HL069409-11A1 Randall (PI) 07/01/12 – 12/31/14. “Unique aspects of respiratory immunity.” Role: Collaborator Direct Cost: 1 million US $

2R01 HL071933-05 Georas (PI) 08/15/10 - 05/31/14. “Lysophosphatidic acid and Edg receptors in the pulmonary immune response.” Role: Co- Investigator Direct Cost: $1 million

University of Rochester Center for Translational Science Institute Sime (PI) 08/01/12 – 07/31/13. “Cigarette Smoke, Oxidative Stress and Lung Inflammation (Super Pilot Grant).” Role: Investigator Total Funding: $0.25 million

New York Stem Cell Foundation Rangasamy (PI) 09/01/10 - 02/28/13. “Pre-Clinical Evaluation of Nrf2 Over Expressing MSC in Pulmonary Emphysema.” Total Funding: $0.33 million