Research interests

General Research Interest

1. Neuroimmune mechanisms in nerve injury induced neuropathic pain, particularly the roles of infiltrating T lymphocytes and resident microglia.

2. Neuroimmune mechanisms in murine AIDS viral infection induced peripheral neuropathy.

Publications

• L. Cao, C. D. Palmer, J. T. Malon and J. A. DeLeo. 2009. Critical role of microglial CD40 in the maintenance of mechanical hypersensitivityin a murine model of neuropathic pain. European Journal of Immunology (Epub ahead of print, DOI: 10.1002/eji.200939657)
• L. Cao, F.Y. Tanga and J. A. DeLeo. 2009. The contributing role of CD14 in Toll-Like receptor 4 dependent neuropathic pain. Neuroscience 158(2), 896-903.
• L. Cao and J. A. DeLeo. 2008. CNS infiltrating CD4+ T lymphocytes contribute to murine spinal nerve transection-induced neuropathic pain. European Journal of Immunology 38, 448-458 (featured “In This Issue”).
• L. Cao, L. Fei, T. T. Chang, and J. A. DeLeo. 2007. Further induction of IL-1beta by IL-4 in LPS-treated mixed glial cultures. Journal of Neurochemistry 102(2), 408-419.
• L. Cao, C. A. Hudson, and J. A. Moynihan. 2007. Chronic foot shock induced hyperactive behaviors in mice: involvement of both pro- and anti- inflammatory mediators. Journal of Neuroimmunology 186(1-2), 63-74.
• C. A. Hudson, G. P. Christophi, L. Cao, R. C. Gruber and P. T. Massa. 2007. Regulation of avoidant behaviors and pain by the anti-inflammatory tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1. Neuron Glia Biology 2 (4), 235-246.
• C. A. Hudson, T. K. Modal, L. Cao, J. Kasten-Jolly, V. C. Huber, and D. A. Lawrence. 2005. The dietary supplement ephedrine induces b-adrenergic mediated exacerbation of systemic lupus erythematosus in NZM391 mice. Lupus 14, 293-307.
• L. Cao, A. Martin, N. Polakos, and J. A. Moynihan. 2004. Stress causes a further decrease in immunity to herpes simplex virus-1 in immunocompromised hosts. Journal of Neuroimmunology 156, 21-30.

Grants

• 2008 to 2011 — 376521.00 — Role of infiltrating CD4+ T lymphocytes in neuropathic pain. from NIH/NIDA
• 2009 to 2011 — 332601.00 — Murine AIDS (LP-BM5) viral infection induced peripheral neuropathy - Role of CNS microglia. from MIH/NINDS