Research Interests Antigen presentation and co-stimulatory interactions at inflammatory sites. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) induces immunopathology in the cornea that leads to progressive scarring and blindness. CD4 T cells through Th1 cytokines mediate the inflammation in HSV-infected mouse corneas, providing an interesting and clinically important model for studying co-stimulatory requirements for activating CD4 T cells at sites of infection and inflammation. We are currently concentrating on the co-stimulatory signals required to activate CD4+ T cells in the infected cornea. Mechanisms of T cell control of HSV reactivation from latency in sensory neurons. During primary infection at mucosal surfaces, HSV infects sensory neurons, is transported to the cell bodies in the sensory ganglia, and there establishes a latent infection. Reactivation from latency results in recurrent herpetic disease. We recently demonstrated that CD8+ T cells that infiltrate the latently infected ganglion can prevent the virus from reactivating from a latent state. We are currently characterizing receptor specificity and function of the CD8+ T cells that are retained in the latently infected ganglia with the goal of developing vaccines or other means of augmenting this protective function.   Selected Publications Divito SJ, Hendricks RL. Activated inflammatory infiltrate in HSV-1-infected corneas without herpes stromal keratitis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2008 Apr;49(4):1488-95. Nakamura Y, Watchmaker P, Urban J, Sheridan B, Giermasz A, Nishimura F, Sasaki K, Cumberland R, Muthuswamy R, Mailliard RB, Larregina AT, Falo LD, Gooding W, Storkus WJ, Okada H, Hendricks RL, Kalinski P. Helper function of memory CD8+ T cells: heterologous CD8+ T cells support the induction of therapeutic cancer immunity.Cancer Res. 2007 Oct 15;67(20):10012-8. Sheridan BS, Knickelbein JE, Hendricks RL. CD8 T cells and latent herpes simplex virus type 1: keeping the peace in sensory ganglia. Expert Opin Biol Ther. 2007 Sep;7(9):1323-31. Review. Freeman ML, Sheridan BS, Bonneau RH, Hendricks RL. Psychological stress compromises CD8+ T cell control of latent herpes simplex virus type 1 infections. J Immunol. 2007 Jul 1;179(1):322-8. Knickelbein JE, Divito S, Hendricks RL. Modulation of CD8+ CTL effector function by fibroblasts derived from the immunoprivileged cornea. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2007 May;48(5):2194-202. Complete Publication Listing   Grant Support NIH/NEI: Role of cytotoxic lymphocytes in HSV-1 corneal lesions. Principal Investigator NIH/NEI: Core Grant For Vision Research. Principal Investigator NIH/NEI: Cytokines and adhesion molecules in HSV keratitis. Principal Investigator NIH/NEI: Gene expression in HSV-1 latency after corneal infection. Co-Investigator   Other Links Dept. of Ophthalmology University of Pittsburgh

Robert L. Hendricks, Ph.D. Office:  Eye & Ear Institute, Room #922 Lab:Eye & Ear Institute, Room #919 Phone:(412) 647-5754 Fax: (412) 647-5880 hendricksrr@msx.upmc.edu   Academic Affiliations Professor of Ophthalmology, Immunology, and Microbiology and Molecular Genetics Director, Ophthalmology and Visual Science Research Center Vice-Chair for Research, Department of Ophthalmology   Education B.S. Biology University of Illinois at Chicago M.S. Microbiology University of Illinois at Chicago Ph.D. Immunology University of Illinois at Chicago   Lab Personnel Faculty: Thomas Cherpes, M.D., Assistant Professor Graduate Students: Sherrie Divito, Gregory Frank, Michael Freeman, Jared Knickelbein, Brian Sheridan, Susanne Himmelein (visiting student from Munich) Technician: Dawn McKissic