Dana Giulian, M.D., Ph.D.

Professor of Neurology

Medical School

M.D. (1978) Cornell University Medical School

Graduate School

Ph.D. (1978) The Rockefeller University

Research Interests

Our laboratory is interested in the way glia of the central nervous system interact with neurons during brain development in response to brain injury. Current projects concern the role of brain cytokines in traumatic wound healing, the isolation of brain-derived immuno-stimulants, the characterization of neurotoxins released by inflammatory cells during HIV-1 infection, neuro-immune regulation of epileptogenesis, and the study of microglia-mediated neuron death in Alzheimer's disease. Techniques heavily used in the laboratory include cell isolation, a variety of primary brain cell culture systems, protein and small molecule purifications, transmission and scanning EM, neurosurgical procedures, immunohistochemistry, PCR, and a battery of assays to monitor cytokines, eicosanoids, neurotoxins, and mitogens.

Publications

Giulian D. Microglia and the immune pathology of Alzheimer disease. Am J Hum Genet 1999;65:13-8.
Giulian D. A strategy for identifying immunosuppressive therapies for Alzheimer disease. Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord 1998;12 Suppl 2:S7-14.
Giulian D, Haverkamp LJ, Yu J, Karshin W, Tom D, Li J, Kazanskaia A, Kirkpatrick J, Roher AE. The HHQK domain of beta-amyloid provides a structural basis for the immunopathology of Alzheimer's disease. J Biol Chem 1998;273:29719-26.
Giulian D. Immune responses and dementia. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1997;835:91-110.
Giulian D, Corpuz M, Richmond B, Wendt E, Hall ER. Activated microglia are the principal glial source of thromboxane in the central nervous system. Neurochem Int 1996;29:65-76.
Giulian D, Haverkamp LJ, Yu JH, Karshin W, Tom D, Li J, Kirkpatrick J, Kuo LM, Roher AE. Specific domains of beta-amyloid from Alzheimer plaque elicit neuron killing in human microglia. J Neurosci 1996;16:6021-37.
Giulian D, Yu J, Li X, Tom D, Li J, Wendt E, Lin SN, Schwarcz R, Noonan C. Study of receptor-mediated neurotoxins released by HIV-1-infected mononuclear phagocytes found in human brain. J Neurosci 1996;16:3139-53.
Giulian D, Haverkamp LJ, Li J, Karshin WL, Yu J, Tom D, Li X, Kirkpatrick JB. Senile plaques stimulate microglia to release a neurotoxin found in Alzheimer brain. Neurochem Int 1995;27:119-37.
Giulian D, Li J, Bartel S, Broker J, Li X, Kirkpatrick JB. Cell surface morphology identifies microglia as a distinct class of mononuclear phagocyte. J Neurosci 1995;15:7712-26.
Giulian D, Li J, Leara B, Keenen C. Phagocytic microglia release cytokines and cytotoxins that regulate the survival of astrocytes and neurons in culture. Neurochem Int 1994;25:227-33.
Giulian D, Li J, Li X, George J, Rutecki PA. The impact of microglia-derived cytokines upon gliosis in the CNS. Dev Neurosci 1994;16:128-36.
Giulian D. Reactive glia as rivals in regulating neuronal survival. Glia 1993;7:102-10.
Giulian D, Corpuz M. Microglial secretion products and their impact on the nervous system. Adv Neurol 1993;59:315-20.
Giulian D, Corpuz M, Chapman S, Mansouri M, Robertson C. Reactive mononuclear phagocytes release neurotoxins after ischemic and traumatic injury to the central nervous system. J Neurosci Res 1993;36:681-93.
Giulian D, Vaca K. Inflammatory glia mediate delayed neuronal damage after ischemia in the central nervous system. Stroke 1993;24:I84-90.
Giulian D, Vaca K, Corpuz M. Brain glia release factors with opposing actions upon neuronal survival. J Neurosci 1993;13:29-37.
Giulian D, Wendt E, Vaca K, Noonan CA. The envelope glycoprotein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 stimulates release of neurotoxins from monocytes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1993;90:2769-73.
Giulian D, Johnson B, Krebs JF, George JK, Tapscott M. Microglial mitogens are produced in the developing and injured mammalian brain. J Cell Biol 1991;112:323-33.
Giulian D, Johnson B, Krebs JF, Tapscott MJ, Honda S. A growth factor from neuronal cell lines stimulates myelin protein synthesis in mammalian brain. J Neurosci 1991;11:327-36.
Giulian D, Robertson C. Inhibition of mononuclear phagocytes reduces ischemic injury in the spinal cord. Ann Neurol 1990;27:33-42.
Giulian D, Vaca K, Noonan CA. Secretion of neurotoxins by mononuclear phagocytes infected with HIV-1. Science 1990;250:1593-6.
Giulian D, Chen J, Ingeman JE, George JK, Noponen M. The role of mononuclear phagocytes in wound healing after traumatic injury to adult mammalian brain. J Neurosci 1989;9:4416-29.
Giulian D, Ingeman JE. Colony-stimulating factors as promoters of ameboid microglia. J Neurosci 1988;8:4707-17.
Giulian D, Tapscott MJ. Immunoregulation of cells within the central nervous system. Brain Behav Immun 1988;2:352-8.
Giulian D, Vaca K, Johnson B. Secreted peptides as regulators of neuron-glia and glia-glia interactions in the developing nervous system. J Neurosci Res 1988;21:487-500.
Giulian D, Woodward J, Young DG, Krebs JF, Lachman LB. Interleukin-1 injected into mammalian brain stimulates astrogliosis and neovascularization. J Neurosci 1988;8:2485-90.
Giulian D, Young DG, Woodward J, Brown DC, Lachman LB. Interleukin-1 is an astroglial growth factor in the developing brain. J Neurosci 1988;8:709-14.
Giulian D. Ameboid microglia as effectors of inflammation in the central nervous system. J Neurosci Res 1987;18:155-71, 132-3.
Giulian D, Allen RL, Baker TJ, Tomozawa Y. Brain peptides and glial growth. I. Glia-promoting factors as regulators of gliogenesis in the developing and injured central nervous system. J Cell Biol 1986;102:803-11.
Giulian D, Baker TJ. Characterization of ameboid microglia isolated from developing mammalian brain. J Neurosci 1986;6:2163-78.
Giulian D, Baker TJ, Shih LC, Lachman LB. Interleukin 1 of the central nervous system is produced by ameboid microglia. J Exp Med 1986;164:594-604.
Giulian D, Young DG. Brain peptides and glial growth. II. Identification of cells that secrete glia-promoting factors. J Cell Biol 1986;102:812-20.
Giulian D, Baker TJ. Peptides released by ameboid microglia regulate astroglial proliferation. J Cell Biol 1985;101:2411-5.
Giulian D, Iwanij V. The response of optic tract glia during regeneration of the goldfish visual system. II. Tectal factors stimulate optic tract glia. Brain Res 1985;339:97-104.
Giulian D, Iwanij V, Stuckenbrok H. The response of optic tract glia during regeneration of the goldfish visual system. I. Biosynthetic activity within different glial populations after transection of retinal ganglion cell axons. Brain Res 1985;339:87-96.
Giulian D, Lachman LB. Interleukin-1 stimulation of astroglial proliferation after brain injury. Science 1985;228:497-9.
Giulian D, Tomozawa Y, Hindman H, Allen RL. Peptides from regenerating central nervous system promote specific populations of macroglia. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1985;82:4287-90.
Giulian D. Peptides from the regenerating central nervous system of goldfish stimulate glia. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1984;81:3567-71.
Giulian D. Target regulation of protein biosynthesis in retinal ganglion cells during regeneration of the goldfish visual system. Brain Res 1984;296:198-201.
Giulian D, Iwanij V, Dean G, Drummond RJ. Localization of 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide-3'-phosphohydrolase within the vertebrate retina. Brain Res 1983;265:217-25.
Giulian D. Isolation of ganglion cells from the retina. Brain Res 1980;189:135-55.
Giulian D, Des Ruisseaux H, Cowburn D. A study of proteins from ganglion cells of the goldfish retina. J Biol Chem 1980;255:6486-93.
Giulian D, Des Ruisseux H, Cowburn D. Biosynthesis and intra-axonal transport of proteins during neuronal regeneration. J Biol Chem 1980;255:6494-501.
Giulian D, Moore S. Identification of 2':3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase in the vertebrate retina. J Biol Chem 1980;255:5993-5.
Giulian D, Diacumakos EG. The electrophysiological mapping of compartments within a mammalian cell. J Cell Biol 1977;72:86-103.
Giulian D, Silverman G. Solid-state animal detection system: its application to open field activity and freezing behavior. Physiol Behav 1975;14:109-12.
Giulian D, McEwen BS, Pohorecky LA. Altered development of the rat brain serotonergic system after disruptive neonatal experience. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1974;71:4106-10.
Giulian D, Snowdon CT, Krom LS. A completely automated closed-field maze series for rats. Physiol Behav 1974;13:183-7.
Giulian D, Pohorecky LA, McEwen BS. Effects of gonadal steroids upon brain 5-hydroxytryptamine levels in the neonatal rat. Endocrinology 1973;93:1329-35.
Giulian D, Schmaltz LW. Enhanced discriminated bar-press avoidance in the rat through appetitive preconditioning. J Comp Physiol Psychol 1973;83:106-12.
Schmaltz LW, Giulian D. Faster acquisition of discriminated lever-press avoidance by hippocampectomized rats. J Comp Physiol Psychol 1972;81:149-54.

Contact Information

Dana Giulian, M.D., Ph.D.
Department of Neurology
Baylor College of Medicine
One Baylor Plaza, MS NB302
Houston, Texas 77030

Tel: 713-798-4660
Fax: 713-798-5779
Email: