Dr. Keith Fowke
 
Professor,  Departments of Medical Microbiology and Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, 

Degrees:
B.Sc.(H) (Manitoba, 1988), Ph.D. (Manitoba, 1995)

Mailing Address:
Laboratory of Viral Immunology
Department of Medical Microbiology
Room 539 - 745 Bannatye Avenue,
Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9

Tel: (204) 789-3818 Fax: (204) 789-3926
E-mail: fowkekr@cc.umanitoba.ca

Research Interests:
The Laboratory of Viral Immunology is a vital, active laboratory focused on training scientists at the M.Sc., Ph.D., or postdoctoral levels through basic studies in the immunobiology of HIV infection. The Viral Immunology Laboratory is currently focusing on three major areas of research.  The first is determining the immunological phenotype and genetic expression of CD4+ T-cells in individuals who are resistant to HIV infection or those who are infected but able to control their viral replication.  We hypothesize that resistance is mediated by a two phase model in which immune quiescence results in fewer activated cells that can serve as targets for HIV infection and a central memory-dominated HIV-specific cellular immune response that eliminates any infected cells. The second interest of the lab focuses on the role of immune activation and receptor polymorphisms in HIV disease progression. The lab’s final area of research interest is on defining the role of pre-existing humoral and cellular immunity to influenza (including H1N1) and disease outcomes as well as immune responses to vaccine and exposure.  Dr. Fowke has a particular interest in training young investigators and has been involved in a number of workshops and international training programs including a CIHR-funded Strategic Training Initiative in Health Research. 
Additional Information about the Fowke Lab and HIV Research Group. 

For an up to date link to publications from the Fowke Lab please click here

Selected Publications: 

  1. Juno JA, Keynan Y and FOWKE KR.  Invariant NKT cells: Regulation and Function During Viral Infection.  PLoS Pathogens.  2012.  In Press.
  2. Barrett L, FOWKE KR, Grant MD.  Cytomegalovirus, Aging, and HIV: A Perfect Storm.  AIDS Rev. 2012 Jul;14(3):159-67
  3. Lajoie J, Juno J, Burgener A, Rahman S, Mogk K, Wachihi C, Mwanjewe J, Plummer FA, Kimani J, FOWKE KR.  A distinct cytokine and chemokine profile at the genital mucosa is associated with HIV-1 protection among HIV-exposed seronegative commercial sex workers.  Mucosal Immunol. 2012 May;5(3):277-87. doi: 10.1038/mi.2012.7. Epub 2012 Feb 8.
  4. Juno J, Tuff J, Choi R, Card CM, Kimani J, Wachihi C, Koesters-Kiazyk S, Ball TB, Farquar C, Plummer FA, John-Steward G, Luo M, FOWKE KR.  The Role of G Protein Gene GNB3 C825T Polymorphism in HIV-1 Acquisition, Progression and Immune Activation.  Retrovirology. Epub 2012 Jan 3; 9(1)1.
  5. Card CM, Keynan Y, Lajoie J, Bell CP, Dawood M, Becker M, Kasper K, FOWKE KR HIV-controllers are distinguished by chemokine expression profile and HIV-specific T cell proliferative potential.  J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2012 Jan 11. [Epub ahead of print]
  6. Burgener A, Rahman S, Ahmad R, Lajoie J, Ramdahin S, Mesa C, Brunet S, Wachihi C, Kimani J, FOWKE K, Carr S, Plummer F, Ball TB.  Comprehensive proteomic Study identifies Serpin and Cystatin antipreoteases as novel correlates of HIV resistance in the cervicovaginal mucosa of female sex workers.  Journal of Proteome Research.  J Proteome Res. 2011 Nov 4;10(11):5139-49. Epub 2011 Oct 5.
  7. Bell, CP and FOWKE KR.  Susceptibility of Solvent Users to HIV and Hepatitis C.  National Collaborating Centre for Infectious Diseases.  Purple Paper Issue 31 Sept 2011
  8. Juno J, FOWKE KR, Keynan Y.  Immunogenetic factors associated with severe respiratory illness caused by zoonotic H1N1 and H5N1 influenza viruses.  Clinical and Developmental Immunology Clin Dev Immunol. 2012:797180. Epub 2011 Nov 3.
  9. Keynan Y, Juno J and FOWKE KR.  Immunogenetic factors associated with severe respiratory illness caused by Pandemic A/H1N1 influenza.  Current Trends in Immunology.  2011 Volume 11 page 27-33.
  10. Keynan Y, Juno J, Kasper K, Rubinstein E, FOWKE KR. Targeting a chemokine receptor CCR5: good for HIV, what about other viruses? - Journal of Infectious Diseases.  2011 203:292.
  11. McLaren PJ, Ball TB, Wachihi C, Jaoko W, Kelvin DJ, Danesh A, Kimani J, Plummer FA, FOWKE KR. HIV resistant commercial sex workers show a quiescent phenotype in the CD4+ T cell compartment and reduced expression of HIV-dependent host factors.  J Infectious Diseases. 2010. 202: S339-S344.
  12. Meyer, A and FOWKE KR.  The International Symposium on Natural Immunity to HIV:  A gathering of the HIV resistance clan.  Editorial.  J Infectious Diseases. 2010. 202: S327-S328.
  13. Juno J and FOWKE KR.  Clarifying the Role of G Protein Signalling in HIV Infection and Pathogenesis: New Approaches to an Old Question.  AIDS Reviews.  2010; 12: 164-76.
  14. Keynan Y, Card CM, Ball TB, Li Y, Plummer FA and FOWKE KR.  Cellular immune responses to recurring influenza strains have limited boosting ability and limited cross reactivity to other strains.  Clinical Microbiology and Infections. 2010. 16: 1179-86.
  15. Card CM, McLaren PJ, Wachihi C, Kimani J, Plummer FA and FOWKE KR.  Decreased immune activation in HIV resistance is associated with an elevated frequency of CD4+ CD25+ FOXP3+ regulatory T cells.  Journal of Infectious Diseases. 2009, 199:1318-22. Epublished March 2009.
  16. Oyugi JO, Vouriot FCM, Alimonti J, Wayne S, Luo M, Land AM, Ao Z, Yao Z, Sekaly RP, Elliott LJ, Simonsen JN, Ball TB, Jaoko W, Kimani J, Plummer FA and FOWKE KR.  A common CD4 gene variant is associated with increased risk of HIV-1 infection in Kenyan female sex workers. Journal of Infectious Diseases.  2009, 199:1327-34. Epublished March 2009.
  17. Koesters-Kiazyk S and FOWKE KR. Loss of CD127 expression links immune activation and CD4+ T cell loss in HIV infection.  Trends in Microbiology. “25 Years of HIV Research” edition. 2008, 16:567-73. E publish Oct 2008.
  18. Keynan Y, Card CM, McLaren PJ, Dawood MR, Kasper K, and FOWKE KR. The Role of Regulatory T Cells in Chronic and Acute Viral Infections. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2008, Clin Infect Dis. 2008, 46:1046-52.
  19. Alimonti JB, Kimani J, Matu L, Wachihi C, Kaul R, Plummer FA and FOWKE KR.  Characterization of CD8+ T cell responses in HIV-1 exposed seronegative commercial sex workers from Nairobi, Kenya. Immunology and Cell Biology. 2006. 84:482-5.
  20. Koesters SA, Alimonti JB, Wachichi C, Matu L, Anzala O, Kimani J, Embree JE, Plummer FA and FOWKE KR.  IL-7Rα Expression on CD4+ T Lymphocytes Decreases with HIV Disease Progression and Inversely Correlates with Immune Activation.  European J. Immunology. 2006. 36:336-44.
  21. Alimonti JB, Koesters SA, Kimani J, Matu L, Wachihi C, Plummer FA and FOWKE KR. CD4+ T cell responses in HIV-exposed seronegative subjects are qualitatively distinct from those in HIV-infected individuals.  J Infect Diseases. 2005. 191:20-4.
  22. Koesters S, Matu L, Kiama P, Anzala O, Embree J, Plummer FA, Kimani J, FOWKE KR. Elevation of immune activation in Kenyan women is associated with alterations in immune function: Implications for vaccine development.  J Clinical Immunology. 2004. 24:702-9.
  23. McLaren P, Mayne M, Rosser S, Moffatt T, Becker KG, Plummer FA, FOWKE KR.  Antigen-specific gene expression profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells do not reflect those of T-lymphocyte subsets.  Clinical and Diagnostic Laboratory Immunology. 2004. 11:977-82.
  24. Alimonti JB, Ball TB and FOWKE KR. Mechanisms of CD4+ T Lymphocyte Cell Death in HIV/AIDS.  J. Gen Virol. 2003; 84: 1649-1661 and JGV Direct on-line publication.
  25. Koesters S, Rutherford WJ, FOWKE KR.  Development of a novel allo-independent HIV-1 virus for use in immunoassays.  J. Immunol Meth. 264: 69-76, 2002.
  26. FOWKE KR, Kaul R, Rosenthal KL, Oyugi J, Kimani J, Rutherford WJ, Nagelkerke NJD, Ball TB, Bwayo J, Simonsen JN, Shearer GM, Plummer FA.  HIV-1 specific cellular immune responses among HIV-1 resistant sex workers. Immunology and Cell Biology, 2000, 78:586-95.
  27. FOWKE KR, Behnke J, Hanson C, Shea K and Cosentino LM.  Apoptosis: A method of evaluating whole blood and peripheral blood mononuclear cell cryopreservation. J. Imm. Methods 2000, 244:139-44.
  28. Plummer FA, Ball TB, Kimani J and FOWKE KR.  Resistance to HIV-1 infection among highly exposed sex workers in Nairobi: What mediates protection and why does it develop?  Immunology Letters 1999, 66:27-34.
  29. Rowland-Jones SL, Dong T, FOWKE KR, Kimani J, Krausa P,  Newell H, Blanchard T, Ariyoshi K, Oyugi J, Ngugi E, Bwayo J, MacDonald KS, McMichael AJ, and Plummer FA. Cytotoxic T-cell responses to multiple conserved HIV epitopes in HIV-resistant prostitutes in Nairobi.  Journal of Clinical Investigation 1998, 102:1758-65.
  30. FOWKE KR, Dong T, Rowland-Jones SL, Oyugi J, Rutherford WJ, Kimani J, Krausa P, Bwayo J, Simonsen JN, Shearer GM, Plummer FA. HIV-1 resistance in Kenyan sex workers is not associated with altered cellular susceptibility to HIV-1 infection or enhanced chemokine production. AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses 1998, 14:1521-1530.
  31. FOWKE KR, D’Amico R, Chernoff DN, Pottage J, Bensen C, Sha B, Kessler HA, Landay AL, Shearer GM.  Immunologic and virologic evaluation after influenza vaccination of HIV-1 infected patients.  AIDS 1997; 11:1013-1021.
  32. FOWKE KR, Nagelkerke NJD, Kimani J, Simonsen JN, Anzala AO, Bwayo J, MacDonald KS, Ngugi EN, Plummer FA.  Resistance to HIV-1 infection among prostitutes.  Lancet 1996; 348:1347-51.
  33. Koesters SA , Alimonti JB , Wachichi C, Matu L, Anzala O, Kimani J, Embree JE, Plummer FA and FOWKE KR .  IL-7R a Expression on CD 4+ T Lymphocytes Decreases with HIV Disease Progression and Inversely Correlates with Immune Activation.  European J. Immunology. 2006. 36:336-44.
  34. Alimonti JB , Kimani J, Matu L, Wachihi C, Kaul R, Plummer FA and FOWKE KR.  Characterization of CD8 + T cell responses in HIV-1 exposed seronegative commercial sex workers from Nairobi, Kenya. Immunology and Cell Biology. 2006. 84:482-5.
  35. Rebbapragada A, Wachihi C, Pettengell C, Sunderji S, Huibner S, Jaoko W, Ball TB, FOWKE KR , Mazzulli T, Plummer FA, Kaul R. Negative mucosal synergy between Herpes simplex type 2 and HIV in the female genital tract.  AIDS, 2007 21:589-598.
  36. McKinnon LR , Ball TB ,Wachihi C , McLaren PJ , Waruk JKM, Mao X, Ramdahin S, Anzala O, Kamene J, Luo M, FOWKE KR , Plummer FA .   Epitope Cross-Reactivity Frequently Differs Between Central and Effector Memory HIV-Specific CD8+ T Cells.  J Immunology 2007 178:3750-6.
  37. Laderoute MP, Giulivi A, Larocque L, Bellfoy D, Hou Y, Wu HX, FOWKE KR , Wu J, Diaz-Mitoma F. The replicative activity of human endogenous retrovirus K102 (HERV-K102) with HIV viremia.  AIDS 2007 21: 2417-2424.  
  38. Kimani J, Kaul R, Nagelkerke NJD, Luo M, MacDonald KS, Ngugi E, FOWKE KR , Ball BT, Kariri A, Ndinya-Achola J, Plummer FA. Reduced rates of HIV acquisition during unprotected sex by Kenyan female sex workers predating population declines in HIV prevalence.  AIDS 2008, 22:131–137.
  39. Keynan Y , Card CM , McLaren PJ , Dawood MR, Kasper K, and FOWKE KR . The Role of Regulatory T Cells in Chronic and Acute Viral Infections. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2008, Clin Infect Dis. 2008, 46:1046-52.
  40. Ao Z, Patel A, Tran K, He X, FOWKE K , Coombs K, Kobasa D, Kobinger G and Yao X. Characterization of a Trypsin-Dependent Avian Influenza H5N1-Pseudotyped HIV Vector System for High Throughput Screening of Inhibitory Molecules.  Antiviral Research 2008, 79:12-8.
  41. McKinnon LR , Ball TB , Wachihi C , Chinga N, Maingi A, Luo M, FOWKE KR , Plummer FA .   Substantial intrapatient differences in the breadth and specificity of HIV-specific CD8+ T-cell interferon-gamma and proliferation responses.  J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2008, 49:123-7.
  42. Koesters-Kiazyk S and FOWKE KR. Loss of CD127 expression links immune activation and CD4 + T cell loss in HIV infection. 2008. Trends in Microbiology. In Press for the “25 Years of HIV Research” edition.
  43. Oyugi JO , Vouriot FCM , Alimonti J , Wayne S, Luo M, Land AM, Ao Z, Yao Z, Sekaly RP, Elliott LJ, Simonsen JN, Ball TB, Jaoko W, Kimani J, Plummer FA and FOWKE KR .  A common CD4 gene variant is associated with increased risk of HIV-1 infection in Kenyan female sex workers. 2009. Journal of Infectious Diseases.  In Press.
  44. Card CM , McLaren PJ , Wachihi C, Kimani J, Plummer FA and FOWKE KR .  Decreased immune activation in HIV resistance is associated with an elevated frequency of CD4+ CD25+ FOXP3+ regulatory T cells.  2009. Journal of Infectious Diseases.  In Press.

Laboratory members