Cheeran, Maxim

Maxim C-J. Cheeran received his veterinary training (DVM) in India and his PhD from the University of Minnesota.  His research investigates the role of neuroimmune responses in defense against and injury during viral infections of the brain.  Using both in vitro and murine models, Dr. Cheeran studies the role of microglia and peripheral immune cells in controlling cytomegalovirus and West Nile virus infection of the central nervous system (CNS).  His other research interests include understanding the cellular mechanisms by which viruses, drugs of abuse and immune mediators alter neurogenesis within the CNS.  He is actively involved in developing both in vitro and in vivo models to study modulation of neural stem cell function during inflammation.  The ultimate goal of these studies is to develop novel therapies to prevent and repair tissue damage due to viral encephalitis. 

Selected Publications:

CheeranMC-J, Hu S, Sheng WS, Rashid A, Peterson PK, and Lokensgard JR.  Glial cell responses to West Nile virus infection.  J Neurovirol. 2005; In press.

Cheeran  MC-J, Gekker G, Hu S, Palmquist JM, Lokensgard JR.  T cell mediated restriction of intracerebral murine cytomegalovirus infection displays dependence upon perforin but not interferon-g.  J Neurovirol. 2005; 11:274-280

CheeranMC-J, Gekker G, Hu S, Lokensgard JR. Intracerebral infection with murine cytomegalovirus is restricted by adoptive transfer of splenocytes.  J Neurovirol. 2004; 10(3) 152-162

CheeranMC-J, Hu S, Sheng W, Peterson PK, Lokensgard JR. CXCL10 production from cytomegalovirus-stimulated microglia is regulated by both human and viral interleukin-10. J Virol. 2003; 77:4502-4515

Cheeran MC-J, Hu S, Yager SL, Gekker G, Peterson PK, Lokensgard JR. Cytomegalovirus induces cytokine and chemokine production differentially in human glial cells: antiviral implications. J Neurovirol. 2001; 7:135-147.

Cheeran MC-J, Hu S, Gekker G, Lokensgard JR. Decreased cytomegalovirus expression following proinflammatory cytokine treatment of primary human astrocytes. J Immunol. 2000; 164: 926-933.