About

Marulasiddappa Suresh is a Professor in the Department of Pathobiological Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His academic affiliation is with the Medical Microbiology & Immunology program. His contact information includes an email address (suresh.marulasiddappa@wisc.edu) and a phone number (608-265-9791). The university's Microbial Sciences Building, located at 1550 Linden Drive, Madison, WI, serves as his institutional base. The available information indicates his involvement in microbiology and immunology, but does not provide specific details about his research focus, background, or key contributions.

Research topics

• Biology
• Immunology
• Medicine
• Virology

Selected publications

• Neuroprotection and Oxidative Stress Reduction by Bacillus coagulans: An in vitro Comparison with Escitalopram

  International Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation · 2026-02-02

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Gullain Barre Syndrome: Acute Motor Axonal Neuropathy

  Journal of Neonatal Surgery · 2025-05-30

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  BACKGROUND Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is an acute immune-mediated polyneuropathy that results in ascending paralysis, autonomic dysfunction, and neuromuscular impairment. OBJECTIVES This case highlights the presentation, diagnosis, and therapeutic management of Acute Motor Axonal Neuropathy (AMAN), a severe GBS variant. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A 73-year-old male patient case report, Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis showed mild pleocytosis with albuminocytologic dissociation, and MRI findings revealed an incidental posterior fossa arachnoid cyst. RESULT A 73-year-old male presented with gait ataxia, progressive limb weakness, and numbness. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis showed mild pleocytosis with albuminocytologic dissociation, and MRI findings revealed an incidental posterior fossa arachnoid cyst. The patient underwent plasmapheresis (five cycles) along with neuro-rehabilitative therapy to remove pathogenic circulating autoantibodies and enhance recovery. Following plasmapheresis and physiotherapy, the patient demonstrated substantial neurological improvement, with restored motor function, preserved bulbar reflexes, and safe oral intake. CONCLUSION The critical role of early immunomodulatory intervention, particularly plasmapheresis and rehabilitation, in managing GBS variants like AMAN. Multidisciplinary care, close outpatient monitoring, and structured rehabilitative support are essential in optimizing functional outcomes and minimizing recurrence risks.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Diversifying T-cell responses: safeguarding against pandemic influenza with mosaic nucleoprotein

  Journal of Virology · 2025-02-03 · 4 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  ABSTRACT Pre-existing T-cell responses have been linked to reduced disease severity and better clinical outcomes during the 2009 influenza pandemic and the recent COVID-19 pandemic. We hypothesized that diversifying T-cell responses, particularly targeting conserved viral proteins such as the influenza A virus (IAV) nucleoprotein (NP), could protect against both epidemic and pandemic IAV strains. To test this, we created a mosaic nucleoprotein (MNP) by synthesizing a sequence that maximized the representation of 9-mer epitopes from 7422 NP sequences across human, swine, and avian IAVs. Notably, the MNP sequence showed high homology with the NP of the H5N1 strain affecting dairy cows in the ongoing outbreak. Mucosal immunization with the adjuvanted MNP vaccine induced robust CD8 and CD4 T-cell responses against both known immunodominant and in silico predicted subdominant epitopes. MNP-vaccinated mice challenged with epidemic H1N1 and H3N2 strains, which shared immunodominant CD8 and/or CD4 T-cell epitopes, showed a significant (~4 log) reduction in lung viral load. Importantly, MNP-vaccinated mice challenged with a pandemic H1N1 strain lacking shared immunodominant CD8 or CD4 epitopes exhibited a superior reduction in lung viral load, linked to T-cell responses targeting subdominant epitopes present in both the MNP and pandemic strain NP. These results suggest that a diversified T-cell response induced by the MNP vaccine could provide broad protection against severe disease from both current and emerging IAV strains. IMPORTANCE The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that seasonal influenza causes 3–5 million cases of severe illness annually. The influenza virus frequently undergoes genetic changes through antigenic drift and antigenic shift, resulting in annual epidemics and occasional pandemics. Consequently, a major public health objective is to develop a universal influenza vaccine that offers broad protection against both current and pandemic influenza A strains. In this study, we designed a nucleoprotein (NP) antigen (termed mosaic NP) comprising antigenic regions found in thousands of influenza viruses, aiming to use it as a vaccine to induce broad anti-influenza T-cell responses. Our findings indicate that the mosaic NP vaccine provided significant protection against seasonal H1N1 and H3N2, as well as the pandemic H1N1 strain, demonstrating its effectiveness across various influenza subtypes. These findings suggest that the mosaic NP is a potential universal influenza vaccine antigen, capable of protecting against diverse strains of influenza viruses.

  PublisherDOI

• Effector CD8 T cell differentiation in primary and breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infection in mice

  UNC Libraries · 2025-03-20

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  The nature of the effector and memory T cell response in the lungs following acute SARS-CoV-2 infections remains largely unknown. To define the pulmonary T-cell response to COVID-19, we compared effector and memory T-cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A virus (IAV) in mice. Both viruses elicited potent effector T cell responses in lungs, but memory T cells showed exaggerated contraction in SARS-CoV-2-infected mice. Specifically, unlike the T-bet/EOMES-driven effector transcription program in IAV lungs, SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8 T cells embarked on a STAT-3-centric transcriptional program, a defining characteristic of a pro-fibro-inflammatory program: limited cytotoxicity, diminished expression of tissue-protective inhibitory receptors (PD-1, LAG-3, and TIGIT), and augmented mucosal imprinting (CD103). Circulating CD45RO+HLA-DR+ CD8 T cells in hospitalized COVID-19 patients expressed elevated levels of STAT-3 and low levels of TIGIT. IL-6 blockade experiments implicated IL-6 in STAT-3 induction and downregulation of PD-1 expression on SARS-CoV-2-specific primary effector CD8 T cells. Memory CD8 T cells specific to a single epitope, induced by mucosal vaccination, differentiated into cytotoxic effectors and expressed high levels of CD103, effectively reducing viral burden in lungs following a breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our findings have implications for developing targeted immunotherapies to mitigate immunopathology and promote protective T cell immunity to SARS-CoV-2.

  PublisherDOI

• Effector CD8 T cell differentiation in primary and breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infection in mice

  Communications Biology · 2025-03-08 · 2 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  The nature of the effector and memory T cell response in the lungs following acute SARS-CoV-2 infections remains largely unknown. To define the pulmonary T-cell response to COVID-19, we compared effector and memory T-cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A virus (IAV) in mice. Both viruses elicited potent effector T cell responses in lungs, but memory T cells showed exaggerated contraction in SARS-CoV-2-infected mice. Specifically, unlike the T-bet/EOMES-driven effector transcription program in IAV lungs, SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8 T cells embarked on a STAT-3-centric transcriptional program, a defining characteristic of a pro-fibro-inflammatory program: limited cytotoxicity, diminished expression of tissue-protective inhibitory receptors (PD-1, LAG-3, and TIGIT), and augmented mucosal imprinting (CD103). Circulating CD45RO+HLA-DR+ CD8 T cells in hospitalized COVID-19 patients expressed elevated levels of STAT-3 and low levels of TIGIT. IL-6 blockade experiments implicated IL-6 in STAT-3 induction and downregulation of PD-1 expression on SARS-CoV-2-specific primary effector CD8 T cells. Memory CD8 T cells specific to a single epitope, induced by mucosal vaccination, differentiated into cytotoxic effectors and expressed high levels of CD103, effectively reducing viral burden in lungs following a breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our findings have implications for developing targeted immunotherapies to mitigate immunopathology and promote protective T cell immunity to SARS-CoV-2. SARS-CoV-2 infection triggers a potent but atypical CD8 T-cell response in lungs; recall responses of CD8 + T cells specific to a single epitope (SIINFEKL) induced by vaccination can effectively reduce viral loads following breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infection.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Impact of Integrated Pest and Disease Management (IPDM) Module in Bengalgram For Enhancing Yields

  Agriculture Association of Textile Chemical and Critical Reviews · 2024-07-01

  articleOpen access

  The Front line demonstration was carried out during 2021-22 and 2022-23 Rabi seasons in farmers fields covering 0.4 ha each by the active participation of farmers with the objective to demonstrate the improved technologies to evaluate the efficacy of Integrated pest and disease management practices over farmer’s practices against control over Gram podborer (Helicoverpa armigera Hubner), Dry root rot and Fusarium wilt damage as they were major concern to farmers for reducing the yields during crop season in the farmers fields. The results revealed that the incidence of gram pod borer, Dry root rot and Fusarium was recorded comparatively less in Integrated Pest and disease Management (IPDM) plot as compared to farmers’ practices. The Seed yield was recorded higher in the IPDM plots (2035 kg ha -1 , 1830 kg ha -1 ) compared to farmers’practices (1825 kg ha -1 , 1760 kg ha -1 ). IPDM module also recorded higher gross return (Rs. 91,575 ha -1 , Rs. 96,990 ha -1 )with net profits (Rs. 66,825 ha -1 , 72240 ha -1 ) as well as benefit cost ratio (3.71:1 , 3.93:1) as compared to farmers’ practices (gross return of Rs. 82125 ha -1 , 93280 ha -1 ) with net profits of Rs. 53,625 ha -1 , 61,530 ha -1 ) and benefit cost ratio of (2.89:1, 2.94:1) during the two consecutive years 2021-22 and 2022-23 of rabi seasons respectively. The improved technology gave higher gross returns, net returns with higher benefit cost ratio than farmer’s practices with environmental friendly approach.

  PublisherDOI

• Awareness and acceptance of postpartum intrauterine contraceptive devices amongst women in reproductive age group in an urbanized village of South Delhi

  International Journal of Reproduction Contraception Obstetrics and Gynecology · 2024-09-26 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Background: In India, grappling with a population surge, about 48.1 million pregnancies are unintended, highlighting the critical need for effective postpartum family planning (PPFP) to prevent adverse outcomes. Despite the postpartum intrauterine contraceptive devices (PPIUCD) benefits as a non-hormonal, reversible contraceptive, its uptake is hindered by various barriers. This study examines the awareness and acceptance of PPIUCD among women in the reproductive age group of South Delhi. Methods: This observational cross-sectional study was conducted at the field practice area under the Department of Community Medicine, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi. Under this study, 190 women of reproductive age groups were included. The data was collected regarding awareness and acceptance of PPIUCD. The reason for acceptance and non-acceptance was collected. Data entered and analysed in Microsoft excel. Results: Out of 190 women of reproductive age,73% were aware of PPIUCD, and only 28% had accepted the PPIUCD. A statistically significant association between awareness and acceptance of PPIUCD was found. The most common reason for not accepting the PPIUCD was lack of awareness, followed by fear of complication. The reason for acceptance of PPIUCD was exposure to counselling and awareness that it was long-acting and reversible. The most common reason for the removal of PPIUCD is abdominal pain followed by bleeding. The statistically significant association between place of delivery and awareness and acceptance of PPIUCD was found. Conclusion: During the present study, it was found that Awareness and acceptance of PPIUCD was 73% and 28% of the women of reproductive age, respectively.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Airway surveillance and lung viral control by memory T cells induced by COVID-19 mRNA vaccine

  UNC Libraries · 2023-11-07

  articleOpen access

  Although SARS-CoV-2 evolution seeds a continuous stream of antibody-evasive viral variants, COVID-19 mRNA vaccines provide robust protection against severe disease and hospitalization. Here, we asked whether mRNA vaccine-induced memory T cells limits lung SARS-CoV-2 replication and severe disease. We show that mice and humans receiving booster BioNTech mRNA vaccine developed potent CD8 T-cell responses and show similar kinetics of expansion and contraction of granzyme B/perforin-expressing effector CD8 T cells. Both monovalent and bivalent mRNA vaccines elicited strong expansion of a heterogeneous pool of terminal effectors and memory precursor effector CD8 T cells in spleen, inguinal and mediastinal lymph nodes, pulmonary vasculature, and most surprisingly in the airways, suggestive of systemic and regional surveillance. Further, we document that: (1) CD8 T-cell memory persists in multiple tissues for >200 days; (2) following challenge with pathogenic SARS-CoV-2, circulating memory CD8 T cells rapidly extravasate to the lungs and promote expeditious viral clearance, by mechanisms that require CD4 T cell help; (3) adoptively transferred splenic memory CD8 T cells traffic to the airways, and promote lung SARS-CoV-2 clearance. These findings provide new insights into the critical role of memory T cells in preventing severe lung disease following breakthrough infections with antibody-evasive SARS-CoV-2 variants.

  PublisherDOI

• S17-02: The Long-term Impact of Perinatal Exposures on Susceptibility to Immune-mediated Diseases

  Toxicology Letters · 2023-09-01

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Airway surveillance and lung viral control by memory T cells induced by COVID-19 mRNA vaccine

  JCI Insight · 2023-10-05 · 13 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Although SARS-CoV-2 evolution seeds a continuous stream of antibody-evasive viral variants, COVID-19 mRNA vaccines provide robust protection against severe disease and hospitalization. Here, we asked whether mRNA vaccine-induced memory T cells limit lung SARS-CoV-2 replication and severe disease. We show that mice and humans receiving booster BioNTech mRNA vaccine developed potent CD8 T cell responses and showed similar kinetics of expansion and contraction of granzyme B/perforin-expressing effector CD8 T cells. Both monovalent and bivalent mRNA vaccines elicited strong expansion of a heterogeneous pool of terminal effectors and memory precursor effector CD8 T cells in spleen, inguinal and mediastinal lymph nodes, pulmonary vasculature, and most surprisingly in the airways, suggestive of systemic and regional surveillance. Furthermore, we document that: (a) CD8 T cell memory persists in multiple tissues for > 200 days; (b) following challenge with pathogenic SARS-CoV-2, circulating memory CD8 T cells rapidly extravasate to the lungs and promote expeditious viral clearance, by mechanisms that require CD4 T cell help; and (c) adoptively transferred splenic memory CD8 T cells traffic to the airways and promote lung SARS-CoV-2 clearance. These findings provide insights into the critical role of memory T cells in preventing severe lung disease following breakthrough infections with antibody-evasive SARS-CoV-2 variants.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Recent grants

• Mucosal Adjuvant to Induce Multipronged T Cell Immunity to Tuberculosis

  NIH · $233k · 2020–2022

• Mucosal Adjuvant to Induce Multipronged T Cell Immunity to Tuberculosis

  NIH · $194k · 2020–2022

• Regenerative Capacity of Anti-Viral Memory CD8 T cells

  NIH · $409k · 2016–2019

• NIH Grant R21AI068841

  NIH · $393k · 2010

• NIH Grant R01AI048785

  NIH · $3.3M · 2014

Frequent coauthors

• Yoshihiro Kawaoka

  39 shared

• Brock Kingstad-Bakke

  20 shared

• Woo‐Jong Lee

  Seoul National University

  14 shared

• Erin H. Plisch

  University of Wisconsin–Madison

  13 shared

• Masato Hatta

  University of Wisconsin–Madison

  11 shared

• Clifford S. Cho

  University of Michigan–Ann Arbor

  10 shared

• John Svaren

  University of Wisconsin–Madison

  10 shared

• Eui Ho Kim

  Institut Pasteur Korea

  10 shared

Education

• PhD, PathoBiology

  University of Minnesota

  1995

• MVSc, Microbiology

  Veterinary College Bangalore

  1990

• DVM

  Veterinary College Bangalore

  1987