C903.1 Presbyterian Hospital
200 Lothrop Street.
Pittsburgh, PA.15213

Office Telephone: (412) 647-7641
Fax: (412) 647-5237
E-mail: rehmankk@msx.upmc.edu

Polyomavirus type BK (BK virus) which is latent in majority of population undergo reactivation in 10-60% of renal transplant recipients who are receiving immunosuppressive therapy leading to graft dysfunction. In recent studies, the BK virus has been implicated as a cause of interstitial nephritis, which is difficult to treat leading to graft failure. The general focus of our laboratory is to study the gene rearrangement in the regulatory region of BK virus before and after its reactivation in post kidney transplant recipients on immunosuppressive regimen. Further we are also undertaking studies to quantify the BK virus by real time PCR (Taqman) during different doses of immunosuppressive drugs and viral activation, so as to prevent graft dysfunction. In order to further elucidate graft regeneration we are going to undertake the role of growth factors such as HGF and IL-6 in renal regeneration, and to clarify the pathogenesis of BK and JC virus in interstitial nephritis in animal model as well as in-vitro human embryonic kidney epithelial cells.

1. Khaleel-ur-Rehman, K Ayesha, Q. Habibullah, C.M.. (2000) Tyrosine aminotransferase and Gamma-glutamyl transferase activity in human fetal hepatocyte primary cultures under proliferative conditions. Cell Biochem. Func. (in press)
2. Chari, VB, Khaleel ur Rehman, K, Habibullah, CM, Singh, SS. (2000) Effect of UV-B on PI-3 Kinase activity in human fetal Hepatocytes. Hepatology Res. Commun. (in Press).
3. Srinivas, V.K. Habibullah, C.M. Khaleel-ur-Rehman, K. et. al. (1994) Use of placental cord serum in cultures of human fetal hepatocytes: Its assessment with carbamoyl phosphate synthetase and argininosuccinate lyase as marker enzymes. J. Clin. Bio-Chem. Nutr. 17: 133.
4. Khaleel-ur-Rehman, K. Habibullah, C.M. Ayesha, Q. et. al. (1993) Tyrosine aminotransferase in isolated hepatocytes from fetuses of different gestation. Medical Science Res. 21: 683.
5. Srinivas, V.K. Habibullah, C.M. Khaleel-ur- Rehman, K. et al. (1993) Maintenance of proliferative cultures of human fetal hepatocyte using media supplemented with human placental cord serum. Med. Sci. Res. 21: 245.
6. Srinivas, V.K. Habibullah, C.M. Khaleel-ur- Rehman, K. et al. (1993) Lactate dehydrogenase: A Marker of cellular integrity. Meth. & Find. in Exp. & Clin. Pharm. 15(10): 709.
7. Mohsin, S. Habibullah, C.M. Khaleel-ur-Rehman, K et. al. (1993) Detoxification of ammonia by human fetal hepatocytes preserved in media supplemented with human placental cord serum. Med. Sci. Res. 21: 909.