Rosangela Mezghanni, PhD

• B.Sc., Medical Analysis, Rio de Janeiro Federal University, Brazil, 1987           
• Diplome d'Etudes Approfondie (DEA), Microbiology, Paris Descartes University, France, 1994
• Ph.D., Microbiology and Immunology, Paris Descartes University, France, 1999
• Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health (CVD), 2003

Dr. Mezghanni’s laboratory focuses on translational immunology at the interface of microbiology and host immune responses, with particular emphasis on enteric pathogens and oral vaccines. Our work aims to better understand innate and adaptive immune mechanisms, including activation, expansion, and epigenetic regulation, at mucosal surfaces, where many infections are initiated. This research integrates approaches in human mucosal immunology, tissue-engineered 3-D models (ileum, colon, gallbladder), high-dimensional immune profiling, and functional assays, together with samples from clinical cohort studies.

Translational & Clinical Immunology, Host–pathogen interactions, Organoid & 3D Human Tissue Models, Epigenetic Regulation of Immunity, vaccine R&D, high-dimensional immune profiling

Link to complete set of publications: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/rosangela.mezghanni.1/bibliography/public/

Publications (since 2019) (publication & maiden name: Salerno-Goncalves)

• R. Salerno-Goncalves, D. Kayastha, H. Chen, A. Fasano, M.M. Levine and. M.B. Sztein. Crosstalk between leukocytes triggers differential immune responses against Salmonella enterica Serovars Typhi and Paratyphi. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. 2019 Aug14; 13(8):e0007650.
• R. Salerno-Goncalves, H. Tettelin, D. Luo, Q. Guo, MT. Ardito, WD. Martin, A De Groot, and M.B. Sztein. Differential functional patterns of memory CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells from volunteers immunized with Ty21a typhoid vaccine observed using a recombinant Escherichia coli system expressing S. Typhi proteins. Vaccine 2020 Jan10; 38(2):258-270.
• B. Sztein, Bafford A.C., and R. Salerno-Goncalves. Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhi exposure elicits ex vivo cell-type-specific epigenetic changes in human gut cells. Sci Rep. 2020 August 12;10(1):13581.
• R. Salerno-Gonçalves, W.H. Chen, M.J. Mulligan^. S.E. Frey, J.T. Stapleton, W.A. Keitel, J. Bailey, E. Sendra, H. Hill, R.A. Johnson, and M.B. Sztein. Vaccine-related major cutaneous reaction size correlates with cellular-mediated immune responses after tularaemia immunisation. Clinical & Translational Immunology 2021; e1239.

• R. Salerno-Goncalves, Rezwan T., D. Luo, H. Tettelin, and M.B. Sztein. B cells control mucosal-associated invariant T cell responses to Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi infection through the CD85j HLA-G receptor. Front Immunol. 2021 October 1; 12:4109

• R. Salerno-Goncalves, S. Fresnay, L. Magder, T.C. Darton, C.S. Waddington, C.J. Blohmke, B. Angus, M.M. Levine, A.J. Pollard, M.B. Sztein. Mucosal-Associated Invariant T cells exhibit distinct functional signatures associated with protection against typhoid fever. Cellular Immunology. 2022 August; 378:104572

• S.M. Mahdally, M Izquierdo, R.M. Viscardi, L.S. Magder, H.M. Crowley, A.C. Bafford, C.B. Drachenberg, M.J. Farfan, A. Fasano, M.B. Sztein, and R. Salerno-Goncalves. Secretory-IgA binding to intestinal microbiota attenuates inflammatory reactions as the intestinal barrier of preterm infants matures. Clin Exp Immunol. 2023 Apr 18;uxad042.doi: 10.1093/cei/uxad042

• J.L.S. Donadio, J.P. Fabi, M.B. Sztein1, R. Salerno-Gonçalves. Dietary fiber pectin: challenges and potential anti-inflammatory benefits for preterms and newborns. Front Nutrition. 2024 January 12; 10:1286138

• R. Salerno-Goncalves, H. Chen, A.C. Bafford, M. Izquierdo, J.C. Hormazábal, H. Tettelin, A. D'Mello, J.S. Booth, A. Fasano, M.M. Levine, and M.B. Sztein. Early Host Immune Responses in a Human Organoid-Derived Gallbladder Monolayer to Salmonella Typhi Strains from Patients with Acute and Chronic Infections: A Comparative Analysis. Front Immunol. 2024 Mar 12:15:1334762, 1-17 

• R. Salerno-Goncalves, H. Chen, A.C. Bafford, and M.B. Sztein. Epigenetic Regulation in Epithelial Cells and Innate Lymphocyte Responses to S. Typhi Infection: Insights into IFN-γ Production and Intestinal Immunity. Front Immunol. 2024 Sep 20:15:1448717, 1-14

• E.E. O’Connor, R. Salerno-Goncalves, N. Rednam, R. O’Brien, P. Rock, A. Levine, T.A. Zeffiro. Macro- and microstructural white matter differences in neurologic postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2024 Oct 10.doi: 10.3174/ajnr.A8481

• J.S. Booth, R. Wahid, D. Bruder and R Salerno-Goncalves. Editorial: The synthesis of secretory immunoglobulin A in mucosal tissue: mucosal-associated invariant T, T follicular helper, and B cells. Front. Immunol. 2024 Oct 17:15:1504432, 1-3

• Y Megdiche and R Salerno-Goncalves. Harnessing Adjuvant-Induced Epigenetic Modulation for Enhanced Immunity in Vaccines and Cancer Therapy. Immunol. 2025 Feb 18:16:1547213, 1-7

• L.S. Donadio, J.P. Fabi, H.M Crowley, M.B. Sztein, and R. Salerno-Gonçalves. Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Ripe and Unripe Papaya Pectin in a Neonatal Human Stem Cell-Derived Ileum Model. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research. 2026 Jan;70(1):e70379, 1-11.

Gastrointestinal infections are a global health concern, leading to approximately 700,000 hospitalizations annually in the United States alone. These infections are caused by a range of enteric pathogens, including viruses and bacteria such as toxigenic E. coli, Shigella, and Salmonella. Effectively preventing or treating gastroenteritis can significantly reduce hospitalizations and the associated medical costs. Furthermore, the rise in antibiotic resistance underscores the need for alternative treatment strategies. Consequently, there is a growing emphasis on control measures like improved sanitation, food hygiene, and vaccination.

Dr. Mezghanni's studies involve evaluating the activation, expansion, and epigenetic regulation of various subpopulations of innate-like T cells before and after vaccination against enteric pathogens.

To replace or minimize the use of animal models that may not fully recapitulate human immunity and to facilitate more human-centric studies, Dr. Mezghanni's laboratory has developed stem-cell derived 3-D models of human ileum, colon, and gallbladder mucosa.

• Member, Embryonic Stem Cell Research Oversight (ESCRO) Committee
• Associate Editor, Mucosal Immunology Section of the Frontiers in Immunology 

Dr. Mezghanni uses a broad range of contemporary and emerging technologies in immunology and vaccine design and analysis in laboratories with state-of-the-art equipment. Studies use of conventional flow cytometry, mass cytometer (CyTOF and Helios), and bioengineering tissue culture, as well as classical immunological tools such as immunochemistry, immunoblotting, ELISA, and ELISPOT.