draanaespinoAna M. Espino, Ph.D

Educational Background:

  • B.S. Biochemistry, University of Havana, Cuba, 1982
  • M.Sc. Parasitology / Parasite Immunology, Institute of Tropical Medicine ‘Pedro Kourí”, Havana, Cuba, 1987.
  • Ph.D. Parasite Immunology / Medical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine ‘Pedro Kourí”, Havana, Cuba, 1997.
  • Post-Doc. Molecular Parasitology, Department of Pathology, University of Puerto Rico, School of Medicine, 1998-2002

Academic Position, Address, Telephone & E-Mail:

Associate Professor
Laboratory of Immunology and Molecular Parasitology
Department of Microbiology, Office/Lab. A-386
Tel: (787) 758-2525 Ext 1318
E-mail: ana.espino1@upr.edu

Field of Interest: Parasite Immunology and Molecular Biology

  • Innate and adaptive immunity against Fasciola hepatica antigens: Current studies will determine the role of fatty acid binding protein and glutathione S-transerase in the immunomodulation mechanisms used by the parasitic helminth Fasciola hepatica to induce chronic diseases and perpetuate its longevity in the mammalian host. We will focus in the interaction of these proteins with toll-like receptors of macrophages and dendritic cells.
  • The parasitic helminth Fasciola hepatica: A pharmacopeia of anti-inflammatory molecules: We are focused in the identification and characterization of parasite molecules with potential to develop novel anti-inflammatory drugs that are effective against sepsis, arthritis and ulcerative colitis. We have already identified a molecule with powerful anti-inflammatory properties termed Fh12, which is highly effective suppressing a large number of inflammatory markers and preventing the septic shock in a mouse model. Current studies will determine the effectiveness of Fh12 at early phases in a non-human primate septic shock model and will determine the spectrum of action of this molecule against a wide range of bacteria strains.
  • Proteomic and genomic: Current studies using advanced proteomic or genomic technologies will allow determine the gene expression and proteins of macrophages or dendritic cells that are down-regulated or up-regulated during exposition of phagocytes to hepatica antigens at early phases of infection. These strategies will allow elucidate the mechanisms of action of parasitic molecules and advance in our understanding of the host-parasite relationship leading the development of vaccines and novel anti-inflammatory drugs.

Publications selected from a list of + 40 publications

  1. Rivera F., Espino AM. Adjuvant-Enhanced Antibody and Cellular Responses to Inclusion Bodies Expressing FhSAP2 Correlates with Protection of Mice to Fasciola hepatica. Experimental Parasitology Vol. 160: 31-38. PMID: 26632503
  1. Martin I, Caban-Hernandez K., Figueroa-Santiago O, Espino A.M. Fasciola hepatica fatty acid binding protein inhibits TLR4 activation and suppresses the inflammatory cytokines induced by LPS in vitro and in vivo. Journal of Immunology Vol. 194 (8): 3924-3936. PMID: 25780044
  1. Figueroa-Santiago O, Espino AM. Fasciola hepatica fatty acid binding protein induces the alternative activation of human macrophages. Infect Immun. 2014 Dec; 82 (12): 5005-12. PMID: 25225247
  1. Cabán-Hernández K, Gaudier JF, Ruiz-Jiménez C, Espino AM. Development of two-antibody detection enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for serodiagnosis of human chronic fascioliasis. Clin. Microbiol. 2014; 52(3): 766-72. PMID: 24353000
  1. Cabán-Hernández K, Espino AM. Differential expression and localization of saposin-like protein-2 of Fasciola hepatica. Acta Trop. 2013; 128(3): 591-7. PMID: 23988299
  1. Morales A, Espino AM. Evaluation and characterization of Fasciola hepatica tegument protein extract for serodiagnosis of human fascioliasis. Vaccine Immunol. 2012; 19(11): 1870-8. PMID: 23015645
  1. Gaudier JF, Cabán-Hernández K, Osuna A, Espino AM. Biochemical characterization and differential expression of a 16.5-kilodalton tegument-associated antigen from the liver fluke Fasciola hepatic Clin Vaccine Immunol. 2012; 19 (3): 325-33. PMID: 22278327
  1. Cabán-Hernández K, Gaudier JF, Espino AM. Characterization and differential expression of a ferritin protein from Fasciola hepatica. Biochem. Parasitol. 2012 182(1-2): 54-61. PMID: 22240114
  1. Figueroa-Santiago O, Delgado B, Espino AM. Fasciola hepatica saposin-like protein-2-based ELISA for the serodiagnosis of chronic human fascioliasis. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2011; 70 (3): 355-61. PMID: 21683266
  1. Boukli NM, Delgado B, Ricaurte M, Espino AM. Fasciola hepatica and Schistosoma mansoni: identification of common proteins by comparative proteomic analysis. Parasitol. 2011; 97(5): 852-61. PMID: 21506812
  1. Solano-Parada J, Gonzalez-Gonzalez G, Torró LM, dos Santos MF, Espino AM, Burgos M, Osuna A. Effectiveness of intranasal vaccination against Angiostrongylus costaricensis using a serine/threonine phosphatase 2 A synthetic peptide and recombinant antigens. 2010; 19; 28(32): 5185-96. PMID: 20558243
  1. Espino AM, Morales A, Delgado B, Rivera FM, Figueroa O, Suárez E. Partial immunity to Fasciola hepatica in mice after vaccination with FhSAP2 delivered as recombinant protein or DNA construct. Dis. 2010 winter; 20 (1 Suppl 1): S1-17-23. PMID: 20521379
  1. Espino AM, Rivera F. Quantitation of cytokine mRNA by real-time RT-PCR during a vaccination trial in a rabbit model of fascioliasis. Vet Parasitol. 2010; 19; 169(1-2): 82-92. PMID: 20056331
  1. Espino AM, Torres D, Morales A, Delgado B, Quetel J, Osuna A. Fasciola hepatica: identification of CD4+ T-helper epitopes from the 11.5 kDa saposin-like protein SAP-2 using synthetic peptides. Parasitol. 2007; 117(1): 65-73. PMID: 17475253

 

BOOKS

Espino AM, Dumenigo BE, Fasciola hepatica: Immnunodiagnosis, Pathology and Control. International Handbook of Foodborne Pathogens, Marcel Dekker, Inc. Chapter 32, pp: 539-562, 2003.

Espino AM. Maestría en Biotecnología. Aplicaciones de la Biotecnología. Capitulo 9: Diseño de vacunas. Escuela Superior de Enseñanza Abierta, Universidad de Granada (Texto docente) (http://cevug.ugr.es)

Experience mentoring students

Dr. Espino has mentored 14 undergraduates, 4 MS and 8 PhD Students in the area of Parasite Immunology and Molecular Biology.

Table. Graduate Students Mentored by Dr. Espino in Chronologic order

Name Graduate (G) Period of time mentored Current Status
Past Students
Julia Quetel MS (G) 2006-2009 Technical Assistant at Beckton Dickinson
Bonnibel Delgado MS (G) 2006-2011 Research Scientist at Beckton Dickinson
Daricel Torres MS (G) 2007-2009 Research Scientist at Beckton Dickinson
Francheska Rivera MS (G) 2009-2011 Medical Technologist-III Hospital Auxilio Mutuo
Olgary Figueroa PhD (G) 2009-2013 Assistant Professor at UPR-Cayey
Kimberly Caban PhD (G) 2010-2014 Senior Scientist at Eli Lilly
Jose Gaudier PhD (G) 2010-2014 Assistant Professor at Catholic University
Adelaida Morales PhD (G) 2005-2015 Pending
Ivelisse Martin PhD (G) 2011-2015 Director of Clinical Laboratory
Present Students
Caleb Ruiz PhD (G) 2012- present 4th Year Doctoral
Vasti Aguayo PhD (G) 2013- present 3rd Year Doctoral
Marcos Ramos PhD (G) 2014- present 2nd Year Doctoral