Professional Profile

image for Jarosinski, Keith William

Jarosinski, Keith William

Associate Professor
Director of Graduate Studies
Department of Pathobiology
2001 South Lincoln Ave.
2239 VMBSB (Office)
2238 VMBSB (Lab)
M/C 002
Urbana, IL  61802

Education

  • PhD, Microbiology, New York State Health Science Center, Syracuse, NY (1999)
  • BS, Biotechnology, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY (1995)

Academic Positions

  • Assistant Professor, Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urabana-Champaign, (2016-2021)
  • Research Assistant Professor of Microbiology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA (2011-2016)
  • Senior Research Associate, Virology Unit, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY (2008-2011)
  • Research Associate, Virology Unit, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY (2005-2008)
  • Research Associate, Avian Unit, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY (2003-2005)
  • USDA Postdoctoral Fellow, Avian Unit, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY (2001-2003)
  • Postdoctoral studies, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY (1999-2001)

Research Interests

Please visit Dr. Jarosinski's Lab Site 

Herpesvirus Replication and Pathogenesis

My laboratory is interested in the replication and pathogenesis of herpesviruses.  We utilize the natural virus-host model of Marek’s disease virus (MDV) in chickens.  MDV causes Marek’s disease, a devastating disease characterized by neurological disorders, generalized immune suppression, and neoplastic T cell lymphomas.  The highly oncogenic nature of MDV makes this virus an excellent model for studying the transformation of lymphocytes and the metastasis of lymphoid tumors in animals and humans, in addition to its unique cell tropism and transmission traits.  MDV initially infects B lymphocytes, followed by activated T lymphocytes, in which it can transform cells into lymphomas.  Around 2 weeks after exposure to virus, MDV infects and replicates in feather follicle epithelium (FFE) cells in the skin where it is shed into the environment as dander.  The infectious virus and dander is subsequently taken up through the respiratory tract of uninfected chickens and the virus life cycle is repeated within the new host. 

Transmission of herpesviruses

How herpesviruses transmit from one host to the other is not well known.  Our laboratory has identified two viral proteins, glycoprotein C (gC) and UL13 protein kinase, that are essential for transmission of MDV from chicken-to-chicken.  The mechanistic role(s) these genes play during transmission is not known and projects are ongoing to better understand their respective functions in this process.

Another focus in our laboratory is the evolutionary basis for host switching of herpesviruses.  Herpesviruses are often associated with a single host species, indicating they have evolved together with their host over millions of years.  For example, MDV spreads among chicken flocks with ease but does not often transmit to other avian species.  Likewise, turkey herpesvirus (HVT) spreads among turkey flocks, but does not often transmit to other avian species.  Despite a high level of homology between the two viruses, rarely do they jump species.  Our goal is to understand how herpesviruses host switch and identify the genes responsible for this using natural virus-host models.   

Herpesvirus replication 

A unique attribute of MDV replication is its strict cell-associated nature during replication in tissue culture cells and during in vivo replication in lymphocytes.  The only known cell type able to produce fully infectious virus are FFE cells in the skin.  These characteristics are similar to the human herpesvirus varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which causes chicken pox and shingles, where fully infectious cell-free virus is only produced in skin cells.  The reasons for why MDV and VZV are so tightly cell-associated in vitro have long been a hindrance to research on these viruses, but we intend to use this as a benefit to understanding herpesvirus replication.

Herpesvirus genes involved in latency and tumorigenesis

A unique feature of MDV is that its genome harbors two copies of its own telomerase RNA (TR) subunit, termed viral TR (vTR).  TRs are an essential component of the telomerase enzyme responsible for elongating telomeres and thereby sustaining the life of the cell.  The function vTR plays during MDV-induced tumorigenesis is also a focus of the laboratory. 

MHC class I down-regulation

Many herpesviruses evade the host’s immune response and MDV is no different.  We have identified proteins that may play an important role in MHC class I down-regulation and we studying the mechanisms underlying immune evasion by MDV in chickens.

Links

show listGrants

Current Support:

  • USDA-NIFA-AHDR ILLU-888-942: Identification of receptors required for Marek’s disease virus natural infection. (12-o1-2022-09/30/2024) Role: PI
  • USDA-NIFA-AHDR ILLU-888-933: Marek's disease vaccines to block natural infection in chickens.  (11/01/2021-09/30/2023) Role: PI
  • USDA-NIFA-HATCH ILLU-888-936: Understanding the “Switch” from latency to reactivation of herpesviruses. (11/01/2021-09/30/2023) Role: PI
  • NIH/USDA-NIFA: 2019-67015-29262: The Role of Alphaherpesvirus gC in Host-to-Host Transmission. (04/01/2019-03/31/2024); Role: PI
  • USDA-NIFA-AFRI 2020-67015-31399: Marek's disease virus UL13, virion protein US10, and cellular LY6E in horizontal transmission. (07/01/2020-6/30/2023) Role: PI

Completed Support:

  • USDA-NIFA-HATCH ILLU-888-968: The role of purinergic receptors in Marek’s disease virus infection and disease. (10/15/2020-09/30/2022) Role: PI
  • USDA-NIFA-AFRI; 2016-67015-24917: Determining the Role of Marek’s Disease Virus UL13 Protein Kinase in Horizontal Transmission. (02/15/16-02/14/20); Role : PI
  • USDA-NIFA-AFRI; 2013-67015-21333: “Determining Viral Factors Important for Generation of Cell-free Marek’s Disease Vaccines.” (09/1/2013-1/31/2018); Role: PI
  • USDA-NIFA-AFRI; 2010-65119-20493 (19996): “Determining the Role of Marek’s Disease Virus (MDV) Glycoprotein C in Horizontal Transmission.” (1/15/2010-1/14/2015); Role: PI
  • NIH Office of Extramural Research R01 CA127238: “Herpesvirus-induced Telomerase Dysregulation and Tumor Formation.” (06/07-08/13); Role: Co-PI/PI
  • USDA National Research Initiative Grant (Postdoctoral Fellow): “Marek’s disease virus-induced cytokine and nitric oxide production in vivo.” (10/00-9/03); Role: PI

show listProfessional Affiliations

  • American Society for Virology (ASV)
  • American Society for Microbiology (ASM)
  • American Association of Avian Pathologists (AAAP)
  • World Veterinary Poultry Association (WVPA)

show listHonors and Awards

  • Dr. Gordon and Mrs. Helen Kruger Research Excellence Award 2021
  • Featured Researcher for Supporters of Agriculture Research (2012)
  • P.P. Levine Award for best paper published in Avian Diseases (2002)
  • Graduate student written research proposal award at SUNY-HSC (1998)

show listIndustry Positions

  • Laboratory Technician, Molecular Biology Department, Lederle-Praxis Biologicals, Rochester, NY (1994-1995)