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Pablo Oppezzo

Institut Pasteur de Montevideo Uruguay

Dr Pablo Oppezzo received his MSc in Molecular and Cellular Biology from PEDECIBA (Uruguay) in 1999. In 2004, he received his PhD in Immunology from the University Paris VI, and did post-doctoral work at the Biochemical Structural Unit at the Pasteur Institute of Paris. In 2006 he obtained a position as Principal Investigator of Recombinant Protein Unit at Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Uruguay. Dr Pablo Oppezzo is now the Head of the Recombinant Protein Unit and Professor in the Immunology department at the School of Medicine, Republic University (UdelaR), Uruguay. Dr Oppezzo’s research focuses on the mechanisms involved in the origins of haematopoietic B-cell malignancies, specifically the study of the mutagenic action of the enzyme Activation-Induced cytidine deaminase. In the last years, he contributed to elucidate the mechanism of somatic hypermutation and class switch recombination process in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and to identify new prognosis markers for this disease.

1books edited

2chapters authored

Latest work with IntechOpen by Pablo Oppezzo

B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is considered a single disease with extremely variable course, and survival rates ranging from months to decades. It is clear that clinical heterogeneity reflects biologic diversity with at least two major subtypes in terms of cellular proliferation, clinical aggressiveness and prognosis. As CLL progresses, abnormal hematopoiesis results in pancitopenia and decreased immunoglobulin production, followed by nonspecific symptoms such as fatigue or malaise. A cure is usually not possible, and delayed treatment (until symptoms develop) is aimed at lengthening life and decreasing symptoms. Researchers are playing a lead role in investigating CLL's cause and the role of genetics in the pathogenesis of this disorder. Research programs are dedicated towards understanding the basic mechanisms underlying CLL with the hope of improving treatment options.

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Edited by Pablo Oppezzo

Chapters authored

Microenvironment Interactions in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: A Delicate Equilibrium Linking the Quiescent and the Proliferative Pool

By F. Palacios, C. Abreu, P. Moreno, M. Giordano, R. Gamberale and P. Oppezzo

Part of the book: Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

The Antigen Receptor as a Driver of B-Cell Lymphoma Development and Evolution

By Julieta Sepulveda, Noé Seija, Pablo Oppezzo and Marcelo A. Navarrete

The expression of a functional antigen receptor is necessary for cell survival of normal B lymphocytes and most B-cell neoplasms alike. When the genetic modifications of the B-cell receptor locus fail to produce a functional antigen receptor or result in deleterious mutations of a previously expressed receptor, the affected B cell will undergo apoptosis. The three physiological mechanisms that generate the B-cell receptor, VDJ recombination, somatic hypermutation, and class switch recombination, can induce double-strand DNA breaks and can specifically contribute to lymphomagenesis. On the other hand, the B-cell receptor activation and signaling pathways, which provide strong survival and proliferation signals to normal B cells, can support the growth and evolution of malignant lymphocytes. As a result, an otherwise structurally normal B-cell receptor can behave, from the functional perspective, as a true oncogene. In this chapter, we provide an in-depth discussion of the most recently discovered recurrent mechanisms involving the B-cell receptor in lymphoma pathogenesis. The discussion is structured around two major topics: (1) the genetic mechanisms that create a functional antigen receptor and their errors leading to oncogenic events, and (2) the pathogenic activation of the B-cell receptor signaling cascade. Finally, we will briefly comment on novel emerging therapies targeting the B-cell receptor at different levels.

Part of the book: Hematology

Related collaborators

Marcin Wojtowicz

Uniwersytecki Szpital Kliniczny w Opolu , Poland

Jozo Delic

Atomic Energy and Alternative Energies Commission , France

Dariusz Wolowiec

University of Wrocław , Poland

Karim Maloum

Florencia Palacios

Institut Pasteur de Montevideo , Uruguay

Cecilia Abreu

Institut Pasteur de Montevideo , Uruguay

Pilar Moreno

Institut Pasteur de Montevideo , Uruguay

Romina Gamberale

Mirta Giordano

Guillermo Dighiero

Institut Pasteur de Montevideo , Uruguay