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Olga S. Latinovic, PhD, MSc, MBA, MSc

Academic Title:

Adjunct Assistant Professor

Primary Appointment:

Microbiology and Immunology

Location:

Institute of Human Virology, N 615

Phone (Primary):

(410) 706-2769

Fax:

(410) 706-1992

Education and Training

  • 2001: Master of Science, Lehigh University Bethlehem, PA
  • 2006: PhD, Lehigh University, PA.
  • 2006-2007: Postdoctoral Fellow, Institute of Human Virology (IHV), University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute (UMBI)
  • 2007-2008: Research Associate, IHV, UMBI
  • 2008-2010: Research Associate, IHV, University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM)
  • 2011-2021: Assistant Professor, IHV, UMSOM, Department for Microbiology and Immunology
  • 2018-2020: Master of Business Administration, Specialization in Health Care - Merrick Business School, University of Baltimore

Biosketch

The ability of HIV-1 to develop resistance to antiviral drugs is well documented. This fact necessitates that virologists consider the virus’s ability to adapt. Dr. Latinovic’s research focus is on developing novel antiretroviral therapy strategies that block HIV-1 entry with minimum side effects. By blocking viral entry, infection of new cells is prevented.

An attractive antiretroviral target of great interest is the cellular chemokine co-receptor CCR5 because of its critical role in HIV-1 entry. CCR5, a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), is the predominant HIV-1 coreceptor during horizontal transmission (i.e. during primary infection) and early stages of HIV-1 spread within infected individuals. It is an especially attractive antiretroviral target because it is relatively dispensable for normal immune function and human health, which minimizes potential side effects produced by drugs directed at CCR5. The relative dispensability of CCR5 coreceptor is demonstrated in individuals homozygous for the Δ32 mutation of CCR5. These individuals are highly resistant to HIV-1 infection.

To validate drugs targeting CCR5 coreceptor, Dr. Latinovic’s most recent research interest and published work use humanized mouse models that are reconstituted with human hematopoietic cells. These hu-mouse models mimic the natural course of HIV-1 infection in humans and effectively allow for validation of drug treatment. Ultimately, antiretroviral strategies so validated, can be potential candidates for future clinical trials in humans.

Research/Clinical Keywords

HIV-1 Entry Inhibition In Vivo

Highlighted Publications

Weichseldorfer, M., Tagaya, Y., Reitz, M., DeVico A. L. & Latinovic, O. S.  Identifying CCR5 coreceptor populations permissive for HIV-1 entry and productive infection: Implications for In Vivo Studies. Journal of Translational Medicine, 20:39. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-022-03243-8. (2022)

Weichseldorfer, M., Reitz, M., & Latinovic, O.S. Past HIV-1 Medications and the Current Status of Combined Antiretroviral Therapy Options for HIV-1 Patients.  Pharmaceutics, 13: (11), 1798;  https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics13111798(2021)

Weichseldorfer, M., Affram, Y.,  Heredia, A., Rikhtegaran-Tehrani, Z., Sajadi, M.M.,  Williams, S.P.,  Tagaya, Y.,  Benedetti, F., Ramadhani, H.O.,  Denaro, F., Bryant, J.,  Zella, D., Reitz, M.,  Romerio, F. & Latinovic, O.S. Combined cART Including Tenofovir Disoproxil, Emtricitabine, and Dolutegravir Has Potent Therapeutic Effects in HIV-1 Infected Humanized Mice, Journal of Translational Medicine, JTRM-D-21-02624.DOI:10.21203/rs.3.rs-915826/V1. (2021)

Benedetti, F.,  Silvestri, G., Mavian Nartuhi, C., Munawwar, A., Weichseldorfer, M.,  Cash, M.N., Dulcey,  M., Vittor, A.Y.,  Ciccozzi, M., Salemi, M., Latinovic, O.S. and  Zella, D. Comparison of SARS-CoV-2 receptors expression in primary endothelial cells and retinoic acid-differentiated human neuronal cells. Viruses, 13(11), 2193. https://doi.org/10.3390/v13112193  (2021)

F. Denaro, F. Benedetti, M. D. Worthinton, G. Scapagnini, C. Krauss, S. Wiliams, J. Bryant, H. Davis, O. S. Latinovic and D. Zella. The HIV-1 Transgenic Rat: Relevance for HIV Noninfectious Comorbidity Research, Microorganisams, 8, 1643; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33114165 (2020)

Daniele Basta and O. S. Latinovic. The Potential Detrimental Role of High Salt Diet in Promoting Exaggerated Th-17 Responses in COVID-19 Patients, an Intriguing Hypothesis. Journal of Clinical Lab Medicine  5 (1) dx.DOI.org/10.16966/2572-9578.135. (2020) 

Matthew Weichseldorfer, Yvonne Affram, Alonso Heredia, Yutaka Tagaya, Francesca Benedetti, Davide Zella, Marvin Reitz, Fabio Romerio and O. S. Latinovic Anti-HIV Activity of Standard cART in Primary Cells Is Intensified by CCR5-Targeting Drugs, AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses(2020) PMID: 32623916   DOI: 10.1089/AID.2020.0064 

Weichseldorfer M, Heredia A, Reitz M, Bryant J.L. and Latinovic O.S.,  Use of Humanized Mouse Models for Studying HIV-1 Infection, Pathogenesis and Persistence,  J AIDS and HIV Treatment, Volume 2, Issue 1, (2020)

Turri V., Latinovic O.S., Bonafè M., Toyang N., Parigi M., Calassanzio M., Martelli P.L., Vagheggini A., Abbati G., Sarnelli A., Casadio R., Ratti C., Massi P., Schoelz J.E., Salvato M.S., Piccinini F., Martinelli G., Cauliflower mosaic virus proteins in human glioblastoma cells: Cytoplasmic and nuclear expression,  BioMed Research International,  doi: 10.1155/2020/7465242. eCollection (2020)

Benedetti F., Cocchi F., Latinovic O. S., Curreli S., Krishnan S., Munawwar A., Gallo R.C., Zella D., Role of Mycoplasma Shaperone DnaK in Cellular Transformation, Int Journal of Mol Sci, 21 (4). doi: 10.3390/ijms21041311. (2020)

Additional Publication Citations

Research Interests

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