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Loren  D.  Erickson
Degree(s): Ph.D.
Graduate School: University of Iowa
Primary Appointment: Assistant Professor of Microbiology
Research Interests:
Cellular and molecular mechanisms of B lymphocyte function; Genetic susceptibility in systemic lupus erythematosus and multiple myeloma; Immunotherapeutics in the treatment of B cell disorders

Email Address: lde9w@virginia.edu
Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program(s)
  • Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases
  • Molecular Medicine
  • Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology
    • Research Description

            INTRODUCTION: B lymphocytes constitute a major cellular component of the immune system, whose function is to produce secreted proteins called antibodies that protect the host against pathogens. A hallmark of this antibody-based protection is the capacity of specialized B cells, plasma cells (PC), to have a prolonged lifespan and is the raison d'être for vaccines to establish long-term immunity. In healthy individuals, the persistence of PCs is an asset for protective humoral immunity but is a significant liability in PC disorders. Thus, understanding the factors that determine PC development and survival takes on considerable importance in terms of both biology and therapeutics. Our laboratory studies two PC disorders: first, is the PC malignancy, multiple myeloma (MM) and second, is the antibody-mediated autoimmune disease, systemic lupus erythematosus.

    Go to Loren Erickson’s Lab Site for detailed information about his lab and his research.

    Selected Publications
  • Khuda SE, Loo WM, Janz S, Van Ness B, Erickson LD, Deregulation of c-Myc Confers distinct survival requirements for memory B cells, plasma cells, and their progenitors. J Immunol. 2008 Dec 1;181(11):7537-49.
  • Benson MJ, Erickson LD, Gleeson MW, and Noelle RJ. Affinity of antigen encounter and other early B-cell signals determine B-cell fate. Curr. Opin. Immunol. 2007. 19:1-6.
  • O'Connor BP, Vogel LA, Zhang W, Loo WM, Shnider D, Lind EF, Ratliff M, Noelle RJ, and Erickson LD. Imprinting the fate of antigen-reactive B cells through the affinity of the B cell receptor. J. Immunol. 2006 177:7723-7732.
  • Noelle, R.J. and Erickson, L.D. Determinations of B cell fate in immunity and autoimmunity. Current Directions in Autoimmunity. 8:1-24, 2005.
  • PubMed Listings for this Faculty Member
    • Intranet Profile
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    Contact Information
      Office Address: Beirne B. Carter Center for Immunology Research, Md-Beir, 
      Office Phone: +1 434-982-0756, +1 434-982-6452
      Web Site: http://www.virginia.edu/microbiology/Erickson-Lab/

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