Gabriela Calzada Nova
PhD Candidate
Teaching assistant in the Veterinary Immunology class, supporting the laboratory sessions. My research interests are directed at determining the role of porcine interferon-producing cells during viral infections. These cells, also known as plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDC), are the most potent source of interferon-α and play an important role in the development of innate and adaptive immune responses during an acute virus infection. Apparently, PRRS is able to avoid this innate immune process by failing to elicit IFN-α synthesis upon infection of the host. I am evaluating the behavior of porcine PDC exposed to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus both in vitro and in vivo.
PRRSv elicited a weak production of IFN-a by porcine PBMC
