Arnold H. Zea, PhD
azea@lsuhsc.edu
Professor, Microbiology and Pulmonary-Critical Care & Allergy/Immunology
Dr. Zea’s lab specializes in: 1. Small olecules determination by HPLC; 2. Biobanking
Research Interests
Mechanisms to overcome renal cell carcinoma tumor resistance to IFNgamma.
IFNgamma plays a critical role in anti-tumor immunity as well as in tumor-resistance, which is a significant challenge, particularly in renal cell carcinoma (RCC), considered an immunological tumor. Our research focuses on the tumor microenvironment (tumor heterogeneity), where some RCC tumor cells are sensitive to this cytokine, whereas others are not. Therefore, we aim to stimulate in vitro cells with IFNg in combination with LPS, L-citrulline, and ivermectin, with the primary goal of enhancing tumor killing in resistant cells. Second, we want to determine the signaling pathways associated with tumor resistance and their effect on T cell function (metabolism and proliferation)
Understanding the potential therapeutic implications of Mycobacterium tuberculosis-induced arginase and polyamine: a strategy for mycobacterial survival.
We are studying how Mtb modulates the expression of ARG2 (L-arginine metabolism) to favor the synthesis of polyamines over the production of nitric oxide (NO), and to demonstrate that polyamine production is critical for the survival of Mtb. Blocking polyamine synthesis by inhibiting ODC will inhibit Mtb growth and increase NO production, thereby impacting the treatment of multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis.
Assets
Dr. Zea is the director of the Louisiana Cancer Research Center’s Biospecimen Core Laboratory (BCL), which houses 250,000 samples from 7,000 patients collected over the past 20 years. The biorepository no longer collects active specimens but remains a valuable resource for LCRC researchers. Its inventory includes whole blood, cellular blood components, bone marrow, tumor tissue, and normal adjacent tissue from over 20 different cancers. The mission of the BCL is to provide high quality samples to qualified researchers within the LCRC (LSU Health New Orleans, Tulane University, and Xavier University of Louisiana and beyond).
Publications