Associate Professor of Microbiology, Immunology & Cell Biology Ph.D., Temple University 2099 Health Science North (Office) (304) 293-3104 (Office) 2099 Health Science North (Lab) (304) 293-5216 (Lab.) rschafer@hsc.wvu.edu Curriculum Vitae

Academic Interests:

The primary research interest in our laboratory is the study of the effects of in vivo exposure to commonly used herbicides on the immune system and specifically on the response to a bacterial infection. We have studied the effects of exposure to the herbicides propanil and 2,4-D on the immune response to Listeria monocytogenes and Streptococcus pneumoniae. We have demonstrated that exposure to these herbicides; either alone or as a mixture, alters T and B cell populations, which are both critical for immune responses. Glucocorticoid levels are elevated in the host and are one mechanism for the decrease in T cell populations. Recently we have demonstrated that the humoral immune response after vaccination with S. pneumoniae is enhanced by exposure to propanil. In contrast, exposure to 2,4-D suppressed the immune response to S. pneumoniae. The enhanced antibody response after exposure to propanil has implications for the potential of this class of compounds to be environmental factors in autoimmune disease. In contrast, other compounds, such as 2,4-D, may impair the ability of the host to mount an appropriate protective immune response after vaccination.

We also have a long-standing collaboration with Dr. John Barnett and Dr. Kathy Brundage (WVU) to examine the immunotoxic effects of propanil using an in vitro exposure model to determine the effects of exposure on T cell and macrophage cell function. We have determined that exposure decreases the production of a number of important cytokines. Propanil has been found to interfere with the binding of key transcription factors in T cells and reduces cytokine transcription in macrophages by reducing NF-kB levels.

Publications:

I. V. Ustyugova, L. L. Frost, K. VanDyke, K. M. Brundage, R. Schafer, and J. B. Barnett. 2007. 3,4-Dichloropropionaniline suppresses normal macrophage function. Tox. Sci. 97: 364 - 374.

Salazar, K.D., M. Miller, J. B. Barnett, and R. Schafer. 2006. Evidence for a novel endocrine disruptor: The pesticide Propanil requires the ovaries and steroid synthesis to enhance humoral immunity. Toxicol. Sci., 93:62-74.

Jiang, B., L. Liu, R. Schafer, D. C. Flynn and J. B Barnett. 2006. A novel role for 3, 4-dichloropropionanilide (DCPA) in the inhibition of prostate cancer cell migration, proliferation, and hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha expression. BMC Cancer 6:204. online MS #3736869461037116.

Rowe, A., K. Brundage, R. Schafer and J. B. Barnett. 2006. Immunomodulatory effects of maternal atrazine exposure on male Balb/c mice. J. Tox. Appl. Pharm. 214:96-77.

Salazar, K. D., P. de la Rosa, J. B. Barnett, and R. Schafer. 2005. The polysaccharide antibody response after Streptococcus pneumoniae vaccination is differentially enhanced or suppressed by 3,4-dichloropropionanilide and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. Toxicol. Sci. 87: 123-133.