Faculty > Ferguson

Thomas Ferguson, Ph.D.

Professor, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
Professor, Pathology and Immunology
(314) 362-3745, 747-4238 (fax)

B.A. Biology, Kent State University (1974); M.S. Microbiology, Kent State University (1976); Ph.D. Microbiology/Immunology, University of Cincinnati (1982); Fellow, Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine (1982-1986)

Research Area:

immunology, immune tolerance, retina, angiogenesis, macular degeneration, apoptosis

Research Interests:

The goal of my laboratory is to understand the processes that regulate immune responses. Our studies have concentrated on the molecular basis of immune tolerance and how apoptotic cells tolerize the immune response. We have shown that apoptosis induced by death receptors such as FasL and TRAIL immune tolerance via the induction of T regulatory cells. Our studies try to understand the molecular basis of this type if immune regulation using biochemistry and gene targeting technology. Currently we are studying what it is about apoptosis, per se, that reprograms dendritic cells away from their ability to activate immunity to potent inducers of immune tolerance.

The laboratory also studies the role of macrophages and TNF and TNFR family members in controlling angiogenesis. Uncontrolled growth of new vessels in the eye is a significant cause of visual loss in patients with diabetes and macular degeneration. We have found that FasL expressed in the retina prevents the growth of new vessels by interacting with Fas+ endothelial cells on growing vessels. We are currently examining the role of macrophages in controlling angiogenesis.