Dr. Rituraj Niranjan M.Sc., Ph.D., PDF (USA)

SCIENTIST D

ICMR-National Institute of Research in Tribal Health


Profile

Dr. Rituraj Niranjan is currently working as Scientist-D in the area of immune system associated disorders. By training he is cellular and molecular immunologist. Beside cellular and molecular immunology research, he is engaged in the different immune system associated disorders like, immunopathogenesis of DENGUE fever, mechanisms of immune dysfunctions in other vector borne diseases, allergy and immunology, tissue remodelling and fibrosis, autophagy, acute kidney failure, neuroinflammation, nanoparticle-based drug delivery system and immuno-compromise disorders. Dr. Rituraj Niranjan work focuses on the role of Interleukin-15 (IL-15) in the lungs, gastrointestinal and other immune disorders. He has done his Ph.D. degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, in the area of immuno-neuropharmacology working at the CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), Lucknow, India. He completed his first post-doctoral fellowship from University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, USA and then did his second post-doctoral fellowship from Cincinnati Children Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA and latter at the Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland USA. Before joining to the Indian Council of Medical Research as a talent search scientist (TSS-ICMR), he was working as scientist at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IIT-K), India.

Memberships
  1. Life member of Utter Pradesh Science and Technology Association (UPSTA).
  2. Life member of Indian Academy of Neuroscience (IAN). No.- LN-25.
  3. Life member of Indian Immunology Society (IIS). No.- LM/IIS/721/09/18.
  4. Life member of International Brain Research Organization (IBRO).
  5. Life member of Indian Society of Cell Biology (ISCB). (No. 2019004).
  6. Life member of Indian Pharmacological Society (IPS). (No. LR 347).
  7. Life member (regular) of Society for Vector Ecology (SOVE), Indian region. (No. 147).
  8. Life member of National Academy of Vector Borne Disease (NAVBD). (LM-448).

Research Interests

  • Viral diseases pathogenesis, prevention and therapeutics.
  • Immunobiology of diseases and therapeutics.
  • Understand the Immunopathogenesis of Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS/DHF)
  • Decipher the mechanisms of matrix metalloproteinases involved in the diseases and as drug targets.
  • Elucidate the role of molecular and cellular mechanisms implicated in the pathogenesis of Japanese Encephalitis/Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES).
  • Development of immunotherapeutic approaches and/or herbal medicines for viral diseases (Dengue and the Japanese encephalitis/Acute encephalitis syndrome).
  • Immunodiagnostics, prevention & therapeutics for vector borne and other immune disorders.

Scientific Staff

Past Research students

Ongoing research projects

  • Understand the Immunopathogenesis of “Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS/DHF)
  • Decipher the mechanisms of matrix metalloproteinases involved in the diseases and as drug targets.

Current research collaborators

Past research collaborators

Research in news

Award/Recognition/Honours

  1. “Outstanding Scientist Award” in international conference of neurotherapeutics in 2021.
  2. “Talent Search Scientist (ICMR-TSS)” award by Indian Council of Medical research (ICMR), New Delhi, India in the year of 2017.
  3. “Pool Scientist” award by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi, in the year of 2014.
  4. “Young Scientist” award by DST (Science and Engineering Research Board), New Delhi, India.
  5. “Best paper award” by Indian Academy of Neurosciences for paper entitled “anti-proliferation and anti-inflammatory effect of guggulipid….” in International Conference on Advances in Neurosciences on 12-14, December 2008 held at Cochin, Kerla.
  6. “Senior Research Fellowship” award by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi, India.
  7. “Junior Research Fellowship” award by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi, India.
  8. “Senior Research Fellowship”, award by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, India.

Workshop/Conference Organized

Organised International conference, “Hindi Main Vigyan” as an Organizing secretory.

Academic contributions

Course coordinator of M.Sc. public health Entomology

Research Grants

Received funding from

  1. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
  2. DST (SERB) India
  3. Ministry of AYUSH, India.

Publications

  1. Niranjan R,Murugasamy V,Sunilkumar A,Manoj H,Ganesh K,Vidhyapriya P,Sankari T,Muthukumaravel S,Kumar A (2022). “Atorvastatin attenuates NS1 (Non-structural protein-1) of dengue type-2 serotype-induced expressions of matrix metalloproteinases in HL-60 cells, differentiated to neutrophils: Implications for the immunopathogenesis of dengue viral disease”. International Immunopharmacology. Int Immunopharmacol , PMID:36108401, DOI:10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109082,https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36108401/
  2. Niranjan R,Muthukumaravel S,Panneer D,Ojha SK (2022).“Eosinophils Restrict Diesel Exhaust Particles-induced Cell Proliferation of Lung Epithelial A549 Cells via Interleukin-13 Mediated Mechanisms: Implications for Tissue Remodelling and Fibrosis. Comb Chem High Throughput Screen,doi:10.2174/1386207325666220105150655,https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34986769/
  3. Klionsky DJ,Abdel-Aziz AK,Abdelfatah S,Niranja R.et al.(2021). Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition). Autophagy,PMID:33634751, PMCID:PMC7996087, DOI:10.1080/15548627.2020.1797280,https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33634751/
  4. Niranjan R,Mishra KP,Thakur AK (2021).“Proliferation of lung epithelial cells is regulated by the mechanisms of autophagy upon exposure of soots”. Frontiers in cell and developmental biology,doi: 10.3389/fcell.2021.662597,https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8335634/
  5. Niranjan R,Kishor S,Kumar A (2021). Matrix metalloproteinases in the pathogenesis of dengue virus disease: involvement of immune system and newer therapeutic strategies. Journal of Medical Virology,doi: 10.1002/jmv.26903https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33634515/
  6. Niranjan R, Muthukumaravel S, Jambulingam P (2019). The Involvement of Neuroinflammation in Dengue Viral Disease: Importance of Innate and Adaptive Immunity. Neuroimmunomodulation. Neuroimmunomodulation,PMID:31352457, DOI:10.1159/000501209,https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31352457/
  7. Niranjan R, Sumitha MK, Sankari T, Muthukumaravel S and Jambulingam P (2019). Nonstructural protein-1 (NS1) of dengue type 2 differentially stimulate matrix-metalloproteases expressions in monocytes: protective role of paracetamol. Published in International immuno-pharmacology. Int Immunopharmacol,PMID:31125926, DOI:10.1016/j.intimp.2019.05.022,https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31125926/
  8. Arockianathan PM,Mishra M and Niranjan R (2019). “Recent Status and Advancements in the development of Antifungal Agents: Highlights on Plant and Marine Based Antifungals. Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry,PMID:30977454, DOI:10.2174/1568026619666190412102037,https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30977454/
  9. Jha NK,Kar R and Niranjan R (2019). “ABC transporters in neurological disorders: an important gateway for botanical compounds mediated neuro-therapeutics Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry,PMID:30977450, DOI:10.2174/1568026619666190412121811,https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30977450/
  10. Venkateshaia SU, Niranjan R,Manohar M,Verma AK,Kandikattu HK,Lasky JA, and Mishra A (2019). “Attenuation of Allergen and profibrotic cytokines-induced lung fibrosis following overexpression of IL-15 in mice” Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol,PMID:30702923, PMCID:PMC6604217, DOI:10.1165/rcmb.2018-0254OC,https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30702923/
  11. Niranjan R (2018).“Recent advances in the mechanisms of neuroinflammation and their role in neurodegeneration’. Neurochemistry international,PMID:30016687, DOI:10.1016/j.neuint.2018.07.003,https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30016687/
  12. Niranjan R,Mishra KP and Thakur AK (2018). Inhibition of Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) Initiates Autophagy and Potentiates MPTP-Induced Autophagic Cell Death of Human Neuroblastoma Cells, SH-SY5Y: An Inside in the Pathology of Parkinson's disease. Molecular Neurobiology,PMID:29498006, DOI:10.1007/s12035-018-0950-y,https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29498006/
  13. Venkateshaiah SU,Mishra A,Manohar M,Verma AK,Rajavelu P, Niranjan R,Wild LG, Nereida A.,Blecker PU,Lasky JA,Mishra A (2018). A critical role for IL-18 in transformation and maturation of naive eosinophils to pathogenic eosinophils. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology,PMID:29499224, PMCID:PMC6035772, DOI:10.1016/j.jaci.2018.02.011,https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29499224/
  14. Venkateshaiah SU,Zhu X,Rajavelu P,Niranjan R,Manohar M,Verma AK,Lasky JA ,Mishra A (2018).Regulatory effects of IL-15 on allergen-induced airway obstruction. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology,PMID:28606589, PMCID:PMC5723242, DOI:10.1016/j.jaci.2017.05.025,https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28606589/
  15. Niranjan R, Panneer D and Jambulingam P (2017). “Liver Dysfunctions in Dengue Infection: An Update on its Pathogenesis”. J Liver ,DOI:10.4172/2167-0889.1000219,View
  16. Niranjan R and Thakur AK (2017). The Toxicological Mechanisms of Environmental Soot (Black Carbon) and Carbon Black: Focus on Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Pathways. Frontiers in immunology,doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00763,https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5492873/
  17. Niranjan R, Ritambhara, Mishra KP,Vijayaraghavalu S,Goel A and Kumar M (2017). “The Role of MicroRNA-21 and Autophagy in Liver Fibrosis” J Liver ,DOI: 10.4172/2167-0889.1000218, ISSN: 2167-0889,https://www.researchgate.net/publication/318822526_The_Role_of_MicroRNA-21_and_Autophagy_in_Liver_Fibrosis
  18. Niranjan R,Thakur Ak,Mishra A (2016). “Food allergy and eosinophilic esophagitis in India: Lack of diagnosis Indian journal of Gastroenterology,PMID:26873086, DOI:10.1007/s12664-016-0629-0,https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26873086/
  19. Niranjan R,Rajavelu P,Upparahalli S,Ventateshaiah,Shankar J, et.al. (2015) Involvement of Interleukin-18 in the pathogenesis of human eosinophilic esophagitis Clinical Immunology,PMID:25638412, PMCID:PMC4580377, DOI:10.1016/j.clim.2015.01.007,https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25638412/
  20. Rayapudi M,Rajavelu P,Zhu X,Kaul A,Niranjan R,Dynda S,Mishra A,Mattner J,Zaidi A,Dutt P and Mishra A (2014). “Invariant natural killer T-cell neutralization is a possible target therapy for human eosinophilic esophagitis” Clinical & Translational Immunology,PMID:25505954, PMCID:PMC4232063, DOI:10.1038/cti.2013.13,https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25505954/
  21. Mavi P,Niranjan R,Dutt P,Zaidi A,Shukla JS,Korfhagen T and Mishra A (2014)“Allergen-induced resistin-like molecule (Relm)-α promotes esophageal epithelial cell hyperplasia in eosinophilic esophagitis”. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol,DOI:10.1152/ajpgi.00141.2014,https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24994859/
  22. Niranjan R(2014), “The role of inflammatory and oxidative stress mechanisms in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease: focus on astrocytes. Molecular NeurobiologyDOI: 10.1007/s12035-013-8483-x,https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23783559/
  23. Niranjan R,Nagarajan R,Hanif R,Nath C,Shukla R(2014) “LPS induces mediators of neuroinflammation, cell proliferation, and GFAP expression in human astrocytoma cells U373MG: the anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative effect of guggulipid”. Neurological sciences,DOI: 10.1007/s10072-013-1530-6,https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24013551/
  24. Niranjan R(2013)"Molecular basis of etiological implications involved in the Alzheimer’s disease: focus on neuroinflammation” Molecular Neurobiology,DOI: 10.1007/s12035-013-8428-4,https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23420079/
  25. Niranjan R,Rayapudi M,Mishra A,Dutt P,Dynda S and Mishra A (2013) “Pathogenesis of allergen-induced eosinophilic esophagitis is independent of interleukin (IL)-13”. Immunol Cell Biol,DOI: 10.1038/icb.2013.21,https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23689305/
  26. Niranjan R,Mavi P,Raipudi M,Dynda S,Mishra A (2013)Pathogenic role of mast cells in the pathogenesis of eosinophilic esophagitis Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol,DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00070.2013,https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23599040/
  27. Niranjan R,Nath C and Shukla R (2012) “Melatonin attenuated mediators of neuroinflammation and alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor mRNA expression in LPS stimulated rat astrocytoma cells, C6 ISSN:1029-2470,Vol. 46, No. 9: Pages 1167-1177.
  28. Niranjan R, N. Rajaseker,Nath C and Shukla R (2012) “The effect of guggulipid and nimesulide on MPTP-induced mediators of neuroinflammation in rat astrocytoma cells. Chem Biol Interact,doi: 10.1016/j.cbi.2012.08.008
  29. Niranjan R,Nath C and Shukla R (2011)“Guggulipid and nimesulide differentially regulated inflammatory genes mRNA expressions via inhibition of NF-kB activation in LPS-stimulated rat astrocytoma cells, C6 Cellular and molecular neurobiology, DOI: 10.1007/s10571-011-9684-3,https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21461920/
  30. Niranjan R,Nath C and Shukla R (2010) “The mechanism of MPTP- induced neuroinflammation and its modulation by melatonin in rat astrocytoma cell line, C6 ISSN:1029-2470,Vol. 44, No. 11: 1304–1316
  31. Niranjan R,Kamat PK, Nath C and Shukla R (2010)“Evaluation of guggulipid and nimesulide on production of inflammatory mediators and GFAP expression in LPS stimulated rat astrocytoma, cell line (C6) Journal of Ethnopharmacology,ISSN: 0378-8741.
  32. Ram M,Niranjan R,Jain DC and Abdin MZ. “Cellular Engineering for Enhanced Production of Potent Antimalarial Drug: Artemisinin. ISSN: 2379-061X.
  33. Dangash A,Ram M,Niranjan R,Bharillya A,Misra H,Pandya N and Jain DC. “In vitro Selection and Hormonal Regulation in Cell Culture of Artemisia annua L. Plant” ISSN: 2379-061X.
  34. Niranjan R,Raipudi M,Zhu X,Mattner J,Kaul A,Putnam PE,Mishra A “The state of the intra-epithelial lymphocytes (IEL) in response to over expression of IL-15 in celiac disease (CD) conditions. journal of Immunology.
  35. Niranjan R, Sankari T., Muthukumaravel S, Jambulingam. P. Eosinophils respond to nonstructural protein-1 (NS-1) of dengue type 2 serotype by upregulating the expression profiles of matrix-metalloproteases and secrete altered cytokines: an inside in the dengue pathogenesis. Manuscript prepared. journal of Immunology.