Catherine Ewen

Catherine EwenResearch Assistant Professor

BSc (1997) University of Saskatchewan
PhD (2010) University of Alberta
Office: K229
Phone: (785) 532-5552
Email: cewen@vet.k-state.edu

Research

My research interest lies in understanding host-pathogen interactions, and developing flow cytometry-based tools to measure immunological responses. Currently, my group is using flow cytometry to characterize a novel line of pigs with severe combined immunodeficiency, and utilizing this unique model to assess the contribution of the adaptive immune response to the pathogenesis of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus.

My lab is also working on developing flow cytometry-based assays to measure cell-mediated immune responses. I have extensive experience working with cytotoxic cells, and using flow cytometry to monitor both antigen-specific responses and studying the molecular mechanisms by which these cells induce cell death in target cells. We are now applying flow cytometry to measure equine cell-mediated responses to pathogens such as Rabies and Equine Herpes Virus-1.

Teaching and Service

I am the course co-ordinator for the graduate level course, Theory and Applications of Flow Cytometry (DMP 878; 2 credit hours). The course focuses on building a basic understanding of flow cytometry instrumentation and applications, and emphasizes problem-solving skills and critical evaluation of flow cytometry data.

I am the Associate Director of the Flow Cytometry Core Facility, a multi-user facility that is currently equipped with two analyzers, two cell sorters, and Luminex technology. I provide consulting and training services, as well as operational support to our clients. Information regarding our facility and instrumentation can be accessed on our website research flow cytometry facility.

Selected publications

Prather RS, Rowland RR, Ewen C, Trible B, Kerrigan M, Bawa B, Teson JM, Mao J, Lee K, Samuel MS, Whitworth KM, Murphy CN, Egen T, Green JA. An intact sialoadhesin (Sn/SIGLEC1/CD169) is not required for attachment/internalization of the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV).J Virol. 2013 Sept;87(17):9538-46. Jun 19. [Epub ahead of print] PMID:23785195

Ewen CL, Kane KP, and Bleackley, RC. Granzyme H induces cell death primarily via a Bcl-2-sensitive mitochondrial cell death pathway that does not require direct Bid activation. Mol. Immunol.. 2013 Jul; 54(3-4): 309-18 Epub 2013 Jan 23.

Ewen CL, Kane KP, and Bleackley, RC. A quarter century of granzymes. Cell Death Differ. 2012 Jan; 19 (1): 28-35.

Thangavelu G, Parkman, JC, Ewen, CL, Uwiera, RRE, Baldwin, TA, Anderson, CC. Programmed death-1 is Required for Systemic Self-tolerance in Newly Generated T Cells During the Establishment of Immune Homeostasis. J. of Autoimmunity. 2011 May; 36 (3-4); 301-12.

Mader JS, Ewen C, Hancock REW, Bleackley RC. The human cathelicidin, LL-37, induces granzyme-mediated apoptosis in regulatory T cells. J Immunother. 2011 Apr; 34 (3): 229-35.

McElhaney JE, Ewen C, Zhou X, Kane KP, Xie D, Hager WD, Barry MB, Kleppinger A, Wang Y, Bleackley RC. Granzyme B: Correlates with protection and enhanced CTL response to influenza vaccination in older adults. Vaccine. 2009 Apr 21;27(18):2418-25. Epub 2009 Mar 3

Ewen, C.L., Rong, J., Kokaji, A.I., Bleackley R.C., and Kane, K.P. (2006) Evaluating Antigen-specific Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Responses by a Novel Mouse Granzyme B ELISPOT Assay. J. Immunol. Methods. 308 (1-2): 156-66

Sipione S, Ewen C, Shostak I, Michalak M, Bleackley RC. Impaired cytolytic activity in calreticulin-deficient CTLs. J Immunol. 2005 Mar 15;174(6):3212-9

Ewen C, Kane KP, Shostak I, Griebel PJ, Bertram EM, Watts TH, Bleackley RC, McElhaney JE. A novel cytotoxicity assay to evaluate antigen-specific CTL responses using a colorimetric substrate for Granzyme B. J Immunol Methods. 2003 May 1;276(1-2):89-101

Abstracts

Ewen, C.L, Cino Ozuno, A.G. Wyatt, C.R., Dekkers, J.C.M., Tuggle, C.K., Kerrigan, M., Wilkerson, M.J., and Rowland, R.R.R. The Characterization of a Naturally Occuring Line of SCID Pigs by Flow Cytometry. XXIX Congress of the International Society for Advancement of Cytometry. Fort Lauderdale, FL, U.S.A. May 17 -21, 2014.

Ewen, CL, and Anderson CC. Using 8-12 Multi-parameter Flow Cytometry to Monitor the Presence and Phenotype of T Cell Subsets within Islet-Engrafted Murine Kidneys. XXVII Congress of the International Society for Advancement of Cytometry. Leipzig, Germany. June 23 - 27, 2012.