LOYDA M. MELENDEZ, Ph.D.

Educational Background:

  • B.S. Medical Technology, University of Puerto Rico, R.P. , P.R.1979 M.S. Microbiology, University of Georgia, 1981 Ph. D. Exp. Path/Immunology, Emory University and CDC, Altanta, GA, 1990 Immunohematology, Emory University, Altanta, GA, 1991

  • Infect. Diseaes/AIDS, Emory University, Altanta, GA, 1992

Academic Position:

  • Professor SNRP-NeuroAIDS Program Investigator

Academic Address, Telephone & E-Mail:

Dept. of Microbiology and Zoology,
University of Puerto Rico-School of Medicine,
P.O. Box 365067,
San Juan, P.R. 00936-5067.

Phone: (787)758-6132

E-mail:lmelendez@rcm.upr.edu

Field of Interest:

My laboratory is interested in studying the pathogenesis of HIV. I have 17 years of experience in studying HIV and how it affects cell membrane receptor expression by flow cytometry, macrophage function, HIV isolation from patients, and in vitro HIV infection of macrophages. I have also been interested in studying factors from the virus that contribute to virulence, in particular the tropism of the virus. Most recently, my laboratory has been working with the characterization of macrophage proteins by proteomics using SELDI-TOF.  Currently there are two ongoing NIH funded projects in my laboratory; both focus on virus factors and host factors that affect HIV transmission and pathogenesis.

1) SNRP Project: Monocyte Immunity and HIV Associated Dementia (NIH-SNRP-2001-2006)

This is an NIH funded Specialized Neuroscience Project (SNRP) that studies the factors secreted by blood cells (monocytes) that are associated with dementia in women. The hypothesis of this project is that peripheral blood monocytes act as inducers of cognitive impairment by crossing the blood-brain barrier, producing proteins that damage the central nervous system cells such as neurons and astrocytes. It is the goal of this project to identify markers in the peripheral blood that will indicate the progression to CNS damage in time for treatment. Using a Proteomics platform that combines Surface Enhancement Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight (SELDI-TOF) combined with HPLC, SDS-PAGE and protein identification by LC MS/MS in collaboration with Dr. Gendelman, we expect to identify such markers. A longitudinal cohort of HIV-infected women has been established in collaboration with the neurologist, Dr. Valerie Wojna and the HIV clinics in (CEMI, ACTU, CLETS), and outside campus. Every 6 months for two years, the patients are evaluated by neurological and neuropsychological tests for the development of dementia. Dr. Raúl Mayo and Dr. Rosa Echavarría perform the neuropsychological evaluations. Cells (monocytes) and virus are isolated from peripheral blood of patients. Monocyte-derived macrophage (MDM) lysates and supernatants are tested for the production of important proteins that could be correlated with the development of dementia by Proteomics. This is an important interdisciplinary project funded until the year 2006. It also involves the collaboration of Dr. Howard Gendelman at the University of Nebraska Center for Neurovirology and Neurodegenerative Disorders (CNND). This group have been instrumental in the Proteomics technology transfer and in the establishment of Videoconferences between both institutions.

2) MBRS SCORE Project: Protein profiling of “putative” anti-retroviral factors in placental macrophages(NIH MBRS-SCORE - 2004-2008)

Macrophages from HIV negative term placenta have been isolated and infected with HIV in vitro to determine their susceptibility to HIV infection. In contrast to other tissue macrophages, the HIV replication is more restricted. We are studying the proteins from placental macrophages lysates and supernatants and comparing them with monocyte derived macrophages. Our hypothesis is that proteins from placental macrophages can restrict HIV replication in the placenta. This research will help to elucidate physiological factors that could be used to derive important antiviral agents against HIV infection. Through this work the students are expected to become proficient in several fundamental techniques of tissue culture, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, ELISA, proteomics, and AIDS research. The students will learn to operate scientific instrumentation related to the previous techniques which include: laminar flow hood, light and fluorescent microscopes, flow cytometer, ELISA plate reader, image analyzer, centrifuges, pH meter, analytical balances, thermal cycler, electrophoresis apparatus, SELDI-TOF, computer, etc. The students will also learn about labor and delivery through interaction with the nurses at the University and San Juan City Hospitals. The student will learn about the anatomy of the placenta, and how to isolate primary cell cultures, and placental macrophages.

Selected Publications in the last 5 years:

  • Renta, J., Cadilla, C., Vega, M., Hillyer, G., Estrada, C., Jiménez, E., Abreu, E., Méndez, I., Gandía, J., and Meléndez-Guerrero, L. 1997.Longitudinal studies on maternal HIV-1 variants by biological phenotyping, sequence analysis, and viral load. Cell and Molecular Biology 43:1097-1114.

  • Plaud Valentín, M., Delgado, R., García, V., Zorrilla, C., Gandía, J., and Meléndez-Guerrero, L. 1999. HIV infection of placenta cells; Effecton the secretion of HIV stimulatory cytokines.Cellular and Molecular Biology 45:423-41.

  • Meléndez-Guerrero,L., Arroyo, M., Vega, M.E., Hillyer, G., Jimenez, E., and Cadilla, C. 2000.Characterization of HIV isolates from Puerto Rican Maternal-Infant pair Reveal Predominance of NSI isolates with CCR5 genotype.Cellular Molecular Biology. 47: OL39-OL47.

  • Sánchez-Carrasquillo, E., García, V., Febo, I., and Meléndez-Guerrero, L. 2000.CCR5 Genotyping and Production of B-chemokines by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in HIV-1 infected Puerto Rican children. PRHSJ 19:345-351.

  • Meléndez, J., García, V, Sánchez, E., Delgado, R., Torres, G., and Meléndez-Guerrero, L.M. 2001. Is decreased HIV-1 infectivity of placental macrophages caused by high levels of chemokines?.Cellular and Molecular Biology 47: OL51-OL59.

  • Torres, G., García, V., Patterson, B., and Meléndez-Guerrero, L.M. 2001. Expression of CCR5 and CXCR4 on placental macrophages. Placenta 22 Supplement A Trophoblast Research S29-33.

  • Ruff, M., Ho, W.Z., Meléndez, L.M., Glushakova, S., Pert, C.B. Peptide T. 2001. A chemokine receptor R5 entry inhibitor. Antiviral Research 52:63-75.

  • Arroyo, M.A., Tien, H., Pagán, M., Swanstrom, R., Hillyer, G.V., Cadilla, C.L., and Meléndez-Guerrero, L.M. 2002. Virologic Factors for HIV-1 Vertical Transmission in Puerto Rico. AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses 18(6).

  • Zheng, J., Anderson, E, Melendez, L., and Gendelman, H. Chemokines and their receptors in HIV-1 neuropathogenesis: Protection versus injury. 2004. HIV and the Nervous System, eds. W. Bradley, and P. Shapshak.

  • Wojna,V., Carlson K., Luo,X., Mayo, R., Melendez, L.M., Kraiselburd,E., and Gendelman, H. Proteomic fingerprinting of HIV-1 associated dementia from patient monocyte-derived macrophages: A case study. 2004. J Neurovirology 10(Suppl1):74-81

  • Luo, X., Carlson, K.A. Wonja, V., Mayo, R., Biskup, T.M., Stoner,J., Anderson, J., Gendelman, H.E., and Melendez, L.M. Macrophage proteomic fingerprinting predicts HIV-1-associated cognitive impairment. Neurology 60:1931-37, 2003.

  • Kamara, P., Melendez-Guerrero, LM., Arroyo M., Weiss H., and Jolly P. 2005. Maternal plasma viral load and neutralizing/enhancing antibodies in vertical transmission of HIV: A non-randomized prospective study. Virology 2:15-25.

    • Relevant Presentations in the NeuroAIDS project:

  • Melendez, L.M., Luo X., Carlson K, Wojna , V, Mayo , R, Plaud M., and Plaud M., and Gendelman, H. Monocyte Protein profiles and Genetics links to HIV dementia. Viral and Host Genetic Factors Regulating HIV/CNS Disease. Poster Presentation. November 20-22, 2002. Washington, DC

  • Melendez, L.M ., Luo X., Carlson K, Wojna , V, Mayo , R, Plaud M., and Plaud M., and Gendelman, H. Protein fingerprinting Monocyte-Derived Macrophages in HIV-1 Infected Subjects: Investigations of Protein Profiling for HIV-1 Associated Cognitive Dysfunction. Keystone Symposia on Twenty Years of HIV Research from Discovery to Understanding. Poster Presentation. March 29-April 2003. Banff, Canada.

  • Velez, P., Pagan, M., Swanstrom, R., Wojna,V., Melendez, L.M . "Viral characterization of plasma and CSF from a cohort of puertorican patients with HIV-1 associated cognitive impairment" Keystone Symposia on Twenty Years of HIV Research from Discovery to Understanding. Poster Presentation. March 29-April 2003. Banff, Canada.

  • Melendez, L.M ., Luo X., Carlson K, Wojna , V, Mayo , R, Echavarría, R., Plaud M., and Gendelman, H. Protein fingerprinting Monocyte protein profiles and genetic links to HIV cognitive impairment in women. 3 rd Annual Conference on Specialized Centers in Neuroscience. Oral Presentation. May 27-29, 2003. Honolulu, Hawaii.

  • Meléndez, LM , Wojna, V, Anderson, E, Mack, A, Plaud, M, Kraiselburd, E, Ciborowski, P, and Gendelman H. HIV-1 Infected Hispanic Women with Cognitive Impairment: Macrophage Proteomic Fingerprints. 2nd Panamerican Symposium on Neurovirology and AIDS. May 7, 2004.

  • Meléndez, LM , Wojna, V, Anderson, E, Mack, A, Plaud, M, Kraiselburd, E, Ciborowski, P, and Gendelman H. Standardization of monocyte protein profiles from a cohort of Hispanic women with HIV cognitive impairment. 4th Annual Conference of Specialized Neuroscience Research Programs. Nashville, Tenessee. May 20, 2004.

  • Meléndez, LM , Wojna, V, Anderson, E, Mack, A, Plaud, M, Kraiselburd, E, Ciborowski, P, and Gendelman H. Proteomic Profiles in Predicting Cognitive Dysfunction in HIV Disease. Molecular Markers and Mechanisms of HIV-Induced Nervous System Disease. Washington, DC. June 3, 2004.

  • Meléndez, LM , Wojna, V, Anderson, E, Mack, A, Plaud, M, Kraiselburd, E, Ciborowski, P, and Gendelman H. Proteomic Profiles in Predicting Cognitive Dysfunction in HIV Disease. Molecular Markers and Mechanisms of HIV-Induced Nervous System Disease. Washington, DC. June 3, 2004.

  • Toro Nieves D.M, Anderson E., Plaud M., Wojna V., Ciborowski P., Gendelman H., Meléndez-Guerrero, LM. Effect of HIV-1 Primary Isolates on Macrophage Proteome and Neurovirulence from Hispanic Women with Cognitive Impairment. 12 th Conference Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI), Boston. Feb 23, 2005.

  • Anderson, E.R., Ciborowski, P., Gendelman, H.E., Wojna V., Anderson J., Plaud M., Rodriguez E., Rodriguez-Orengo J., Kraiselburd E., and Melendez, L. Proteomic Analysis of Pre-fractionated Cerebrospinal Fluid from a Cohort of HIV-1 Infected Hispanic Women. 5 th Annual Conference of Specialized Neuroscience Research Programs. Maryland, June 2, 2005.

  • Toro Nieves D.M, Anderson E., Plaud M., Wojna V., Ciborowski P., Gendelman H., Meléndez-Guerrero, LM. Characterization of HIV isolates from peripheral blood of women with dementia. 5 th Annual Conference of Specialized Neuroscience Research Programs. Maryland, June 2, 2005.

  • Wojna V., Colon E., Melendez M, Anderson C., TruchanCholewo J., Skolasky R., HIdalgo A., Mayo R., Curry T., Fernandez M., Melendez L., McCarthur J.C., Nath A. Oxidative Stress and Sex Hormones in Brain Atrophy by MRS in HIV Positive Women. 5 th Annual Conference of Specialized Neuroscience Research Programs. Maryland, June 2, 2005 and HIV Infection and the Central Nervous System: Developed and Limited Resource Settings. Rome, Italy, June 11, 2005.

  • Wojna V., Nath A., Mayo R., Skolasky R., Hechavarria R., McArthur J.C., Fernandez M., Melendez L., Garcia H., Zorrilla C., Kraiselburd E. Correlation and strengths of the scales for HIV dementia in a cohort of HIV positive women. HIV Infection and the Central Nervous System: Developed and Limited Resource Settings. Rome, Italy, June 11, 2005.

  • Wojna V., Colon E., Melendez M, Anderson C., Truchan Cholewo J., Skolasky R., Hidalgo A., Mayo R., Curry T., Fernandez M., Melendez L., McCarthur J.C., Nath A. Oxidative Stress and Sex Hormones in Brain Atrophy by MRS in HIV Positive Women. 5th Annual Conference of Specialized Neuroscience Research Programs. Maryland, June 2, 2005 and HIV Infection and the Central Nervous System: Developed and Limited Resource Settings. Rome, Italy, June 11, 2005.

  • Melendez,L. Proteomic Fingerprinting for HIV Dementia in a Cohort of Hispanic Women. Oral Presentation by Invitation. NHLBI Workshop, NIH, Bethesda. July 21, 2005.


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