Update Your ProfileAcademic Title:
Associate Professor
Primary Appointment:
Pediatrics
Location:
HSF1, 480
Phone (Primary):
(410) 706-3374
Fax:
(410) 706-2345
Education and Training
- B.Sc., Medical Analysis, Rio de Janeiro Federal University, Brazil, 1987
- Diplome d'Etudes Approfondie (DEA), Microbiology, Paris Descartes University, France, 1994
- Ph.D., Microbiology and Immunology, Paris Descartes University, France, 1999
- Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health (CVD), 2003
Biosketch
Dr. Mezghanni’s main research interest is in human translational immunology. She conducts immunologic studies that could translate to the treatment of human diseases. Dr. Mezghanni analyzes innate immune response immediately after infection to the development of long-term adaptive immune response. The goal of her research is to understand the cellular controllers of continual immune response that results in successful vaccination.
Research/Clinical Keywords
Human translational immunology, immunity, immunological studies, host immune response, adaptive immune response, cellular control, gastrointestinal infection, enteric pathogen, E. coli, Shigella, Salmonella, T cells, 3-D organotypic model.
Highlighted Publications
Link to complete set of publications: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/rosangela.mezghanni.1/bibliography/public/
Publications (since 2019) (publication & maiden name: Salerno-Goncalves)
- R. Salerno-Goncalves, D. Kayastha, H. Chen, A. Fasano, M.M. Levine and. M.B. Sztein. Crosstalk between leukocytes triggers differential immune responses against Salmonella enterica Serovars Typhi and Paratyphi. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. 2019 Aug14; 13(8):e0007650.
- R. Salerno-Goncalves, H. Tettelin, D. Luo, Q. Guo, MT. Ardito, WD. Martin, A De Groot, and M.B. Sztein. Differential functional patterns of memory CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells from volunteers immunized with Ty21a typhoid vaccine observed using a recombinant Escherichia coli system expressing S. Typhi proteins. Vaccine 2020 Jan10; 38(2):258-270.
- B. Sztein, Bafford A.C., and R. Salerno-Goncalves. Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhi exposure elicits ex vivo cell-type-specific epigenetic changes in human gut cells. Sci Rep. 2020 August 12;10(1):13581.
- R. Salerno-Gonçalves, W.H. Chen, M.J. Mulligan. S.E. Frey, J.T. Stapleton, W.A. Keitel, J. Bailey, E. Sendra, H. Hill, R.A. Johnson, and M.B. Sztein. Vaccine-related major cutaneous reaction size correlates with cellular-mediated immune responses after tularaemia immunisation. Clinical & Translational Immunology 2021; e1239.
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R. Salerno-Goncalves, Rezwan T., D. Luo, H. Tettelin, and M.B. Sztein. B cells control mucosal-associated invariant T cell responses to Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi infection through the CD85j HLA-G receptor. Front Immunol. 2021 October 1; 12:4109
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R. Salerno-Goncalves, S. Fresnay, L. Magder, T.C. Darton, C.S. Waddington, C.J. Blohmke, B. Angus, M.M. Levine, A.J. Pollard, M.B. Sztein. Mucosal-Associated Invariant T cells exhibit distinct functional signatures associated with protection against typhoid fever. Cellular Immunology. 2022 August; 378:104572
- S.M. Mahdally, M Izquierdo, R.M. Viscardi, L.S. Magder, H.M. Crowley, A.C. Bafford, C.B. Drachenberg, M.J. Farfan, A. Fasano, M.B. Sztein, and R. Salerno-Goncalves. Secretory-IgA binding to intestinal microbiota attenuates inflammatory reactions as the intestinal barrier of preterm infants matures. Clin Exp Immunol. 2023 Apr 18;uxad042.doi: 10.1093/cei/uxad042
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J.L.S. Donadio, J.P. Fabi, M.B. Sztein1, R. Salerno-Gonçalves. Dietary fiber pectin: challenges and potential anti-inflammatory benefits for preterms and newborns. Front Nutrition. 2024 January 12; 10:1286138
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R. Salerno-Goncalves, H. Chen, A.C. Bafford, M. Izquierdo, J.C. Hormazábal, H. Tettelin, A. D'Mello, J.S. Booth, A. Fasano, M.M. Levine, and M.B. Sztein. Early Host Immune Responses in a Human Organoid-Derived Gallbladder Monolayer to Salmonella Typhi Strains from Patients with Acute and Chronic Infections: A Comparative Analysis. Front Immunology. 2024 March 15; 1334762
- R. Salerno-Goncalves, H. Chen, A.C. Bafford, and M.B. Sztein. Epigenetic Regulation in Epithelial Cells and Innate Lymphocyte Responses to S. Typhi Infection: Insights into IFN-γ Production and Intestinal Immunity. Frontiers in Immunology. 2024 September. Volume 15 | doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2024.1448717
- E.E. O’Connor, R. Salerno-Goncalves, N. Rednam, R. O’Brien, P. Rock, A. Levine, T.A. Zeffiro. Macro- and microstructural white matter differences in neurologic postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2024 Oct 10.doi: 10.3174/ajnr.A8481
Research Interests
Gastrointestinal infections are a global health concern, leading to approximately 700,000 hospitalizations annually in the United States alone. These infections are caused by a range of enteric pathogens, including viruses and bacteria such as toxigenic E. coli, Shigella, and Salmonella. Effectively preventing or treating gastroenteritis can significantly reduce hospitalizations and the associated medical costs. Furthermore, the rise in antibiotic resistance underscores the need for alternative treatment strategies. Consequently, there is a growing emphasis on control measures like improved sanitation, food hygiene, and vaccination. Dr. Mezghanni's primary research focus centers on innate-like T cells. Her studies involve evaluating the activation and expansion of various subpopulations of innate-like T cells before and after vaccination against enteric pathogens, including Salmonella Typhi. To replace or minimize the use of animal models that may not fully recapitulate human immunity and to facilitate more human-centric studies, Dr. Mezghanni's laboratory has developed an innovative, patented multicellular in vitro three-dimensional (3-D) model of the human intestinal mucosa. This unique model closely mimics the structure and function of the human intestinal mucosa. Within this 3-D model, the epithelial cells act as multipotent progenitor cells, giving rise to various highly differentiated cell types, including absorptive enterocytes, goblet cells, and M cells. Through this 3-D organotypic model, Dr. Mezghanni investigates the early interactions between epithelial cells, lymphocytes, and intestinal pathogens, as well as the processes related to antigen trafficking and inflammation.
Lab Techniques and Equipment
Dr. Mezghanni uses a broad range of contemporary and emerging technologies in immunology and vaccine design and analysis in laboratories with state-of-the-art equipment. Studies use of conventional flow cytometry, mass cytometer (CyTOF and Helios), and bioengineering tissue culture, as well as classical immunological tools such as immunochemistry, immunoblotting, ELISA, and ELISPOT.
Patent
US patent 9,200,258: Multicellular Organotypic Model of Intestinal Mucosa, 2015.
This patent discloses a method for preparation of a multi-cellular three-dimensional model of human intestinal mucosa, which includes fibroblasts, endothelial cells, lymphocytes and epithelial cells.
Inventors: Rosangela Mezghanni, Alessio Fasano, and Marcelo B Sztein