MSTP Student

1993-1998

Dr. Caggiano received his M.D./Ph.D. in Neurobiology from the University of Chicago in 1998.  His thesis titled, “Eicosanoids, Nitric Oxide and Microglial Activation” explored enzymatic production of eicosanoids, nitric oxide, and microglia during inflammation and how they modulate microglial activation via receptor and cell signaling.  Neuro-inflammation from spreading depression in vivo induced neurons and astrocytes to express enzymes that produced eicosanoids and nitric oxide, which influenced microglial but not astrocytic gliosis.  In addition, prostaglandin E2, an eicosanoid generally regarded as a pro-inflammatory paracrine signal, prevented in vitro activation of microglia via EP2 receptor and cAMP signaling pathways.

Dr. Caggiano currently is the Vice President of Research and Development at Acorda Therapeutics.

Publications:

Caggiano AO, Kraig RP (1996) Eicosanoids and nitric oxide influence induction of reactive gliosis from spreading depression in microglia but not astrocytes.  J Comp Neurol 369:93-108.  PubMed

Caggiano AO, Breder CD, Kraig RP (1996) Long-term elevation of cyclooxygenase-2, but not lipoxygenase, in regions synaptically distant from spreading depression.  J Comp Neurol 376:447-462.  PubMed

Caggiano AO, Kraig RP (1998) Neuronal nitric oxide synthase expression is induced in neocortical astrocytes after spreading depression.  J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 18:75-87. PubMed

Caggiano AO, Kraig RP (1998) Prostaglandin E2 and 4-aminopyridine prevent the lipopolysaccharide-induced outwardly rectifying potassium current and interleukin-1 beta production in cultured rat microglia.  J Neurochem 70:2357-2368.  PubMed

Caggiano AO, Kraig RP (1999) Prostaglandin E receptor subtypes in cultured rat microglia and their role in reducing lipopolysaccharide-induced interleukin-1 beta production.  J Neurochem 72:565-575.  PubMed