Klaus D Elgert

Professor of Biological Sciences

Dr. Elgert's Immunology Website

Major Field of Interest

Tumor Immunology

Current Research

Assessment of tumor-induced phenotypic, cellular, and molecular changes of macrophages and how these changes affect the macrophages responsiveness to and production of cytokines. This involves three research initiatives: 

1. The contribution of tumor-induced dysregulation of CD40L expression to macrophage dysfunction
2. Tumor-induced modulation of IL-18 and IL-1β production through a macrophage and/or T cell NF-κB-associated event; can paclitaxel restore IL-18 and IL-1β production, and associated NF-κB activity during tumor growth
3. Dysfunctional macrophage-mediated apoptosis and altered signal transduction during tumor growth