Medical Microbiology and Immunology

Randall G. Worth, Ph.D.

Randall Worth, Ph.D.

Professor
Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs & Admissions 

Office: HEB 239
Phone: 419.383.5192
Fax:  419.383.3002
Email Address: Randall.Worth@utoledo.edu

  • Dean's Award for Teaching Excellence – University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, 2008
  • President's Award for Grantsmanship - University of Toledo, 2016

Lab Homepage


  • Platelets in inflammation and host defense against infections
  • Mouse models of platelet activities
  • Role of calcium waves in phagolysosome biogenesis

Dr. Worth is interested in the role of platelets in inflammation and infection. Two main projects are currently active to elucidate the immune function of platelets. First, Dr. Worth's laboratory has developed a conditional platelet-depletion mouse strain that is useful in studying the in vivo function of platelets during infections or other diseases. At a basic science level, Dr. Worth is interested in identifying pathways involved in pathogen destruction by platelets and leukocytes. His laboratory has identified certain membrane domains that participate in phagocytosis and may also be important in mediating phagosome-lysosome fusion.  Dr. Worth also heads a translational project directed at understanding the role of platelets in autoimmune diseases (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) and cancer. This project is revealing exciting new ways that platelets respond to IgG-complexes and the important interface between thrombosis and inflammation. 

Education

1992 - B.S. - Biology - University of Charleston, WV
1999 - Ph.D. - Biological Sciences - Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
2005 - Post-doctoral - Hematology & Oncology - Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania

Current Grant Funding

NIDCR/NIH: 1RO1 DE027343: The role of platelets in protection against oral candidiasis (PI: Heather Conti, Co-I: Worth - 50%)

Book Chapter

Worth, R.G., A.D. Schreiber. Fc receptors and phagocytosis. In. Molecular Mechanisms of Phagocytosis. Landes Publishers.

Refereed Publications

39. Gautam, I., Huss, C.W., Storad, Z.A., Krebs, M., Bassiouni, O., Ramesh, R., Wuescher, L.M., Worth. R.G. 2023. Activated platelets mediate monocyte killing of Klebsiella pneumoniae. Infect. Immun. doi.org/10.1128.iai.00556-22.

38. Connelly, M., Waites, S., Kaeley, D., Brewster, P., Sun, Z., Worth, R. 2023. Fit for health? Levels of physical activity among preclinical and clinical medical students. Am. J. Lifestyle Med. doi.org/10.1177/15598276231161501

37. Meikle, CKS., Creeden, J.F., McCullumsmith, C., Worth, R.G. 2021. SSRIs: Applications in inflammatory lung disease and implications for COVID-19. Neuropsychopharmacol. Rep. doi: 10.1002/npr2.12194.

36. Shortridge, C., Akbari, F.E., Wuescher, L.M., Worth, R.G., Liberatore, M.W., Yildirim-Ayan, E. 2021. Impact of digestive inflammatory environment and genipin crosslinking on immunomodulatory capacity of injectable musculoskeletal tissue scaffold. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 22:1134

35. Gautam, I., Storad, Z., Filipiak, L., Huss, C., Meikle, C.K., Worth, R.G., Wuescher, L.M. 2020. From classical to unconventional: the immune receptors facilitating platelet responses to infection and inflammation. Biology. 9:343. 

34. Jordan, R.K., Shah, S.S., Desai, H., Tripi, J., Mitchell, A., Worth, R.G. 2020. Variation of stress levels, burnout, and resilience throughout the academic year in first-year medical students. PLoS One. 15:e0240667

33. Meikle, C.K., Meisler, A.J., Bird, C.M., Jeffries, J.A., Azeem, N., Garg, P., Crawford, E.L., Kelly, C.A., Gao, T.Z., Wuescher, L.M., Willey, J.C., Worth, R.G. 2020. Platelet-T cell aggregates in lung cancer patients: Implications for thrombosis. PLoS One. 15:e0236966.

32. Martin, R.A., Buckley, K.H., Mankowski, D.C., Riley, B.M., Sidwell, A.N., Douglas, S.L., Worth, R.G., Pizza, F.X. 2020. Myogenic cell expression of intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) contributes to muscle regeneration after injury. Am. J. Path. 190(10):2039-2055.

31. Schultz, C.M., Goel, A., Dunn, A., Knauss, H., Huss, C., Launder, D., Conti, H.R., Worth, R.G. 2020. Stepping up to the plate(let) against Candida albicans. Infect. Immun. 88(4): e00784-19doi: 10.1128/IAI.00784-19

30. Wuescher, LM., Nishat, N., Worth, R.G. 2019. Characterization of the PF4-DTR conditional chronic platelet depletion model. Res. Prac. Thromb. Hemostasis. 3:704-712.

29. Adams, S., Wuescher, L.M., Worth, R., Yildirim-Ayan, E. 2019. Mechano-Immunomodulation: mechanoresponsive changes in macrophage activity and polarization. Ann. Biomed. Eng. doi:10.1007/s10439-019-02302-4 

28. Nishat, S., Wuescher, L.M., Worth, R.G. 2018. Platelets enhance dendritic cell responses against S. aureus through CD40-CD40L interactions. Infect. Immun. doi: 10.1128/IAI.00186-18  

27. Meikle, C.K.S., Kelly, C.A., Garg, P., Wuescher, L.M., Ali, R.A., Worth, R.G. 2017. Cancer and Thrombosis: The Platelet Perspective. Front. Cell Dev. Biol. 4:147

26. Ali, R.A., Wuescher, L.M., Dona, K.R., Worth, R.G. 2017. Platelets mediate host-defense against S. aureus through direct bactericidal activity and by enhancing macrophage activities. J. Immunol. 198:344-351.

25. Ali, R.A., Wuescher, L.M., Worth, R.G. 2015. Platelets: essential components of the immune system. Current Trends in Immunology. 16:65-78.

24. Wuescher, L.M., Takashima, A., Worth, R.G. 2015. A novel conditional platelet depletion mouse model reveals the importance of platelets in protection against S. aureus bacteremia. J. Thomb. Haemost. 13:303-313.

23. Dodd, D.A., Worth, R.G., Rosen, M.K. , Grinstein, S. , van Oers, N. S.C. , Hansen, E.J. 2014. The Haemophilus ducreyi LspA1 protein inhibits phagocytosis by using a new mechanism involving activation of C-terminal Src kinase. mBio 5(3):e01178-14. doi:10.1128/mBio.01178-14.

22. Cortes, C., Saggu, G., Emch, H.N., Ramirez, G., Worth, R.G., Ferreira, V.P. 2013. Identification of a novel mode of complement activation on stimulated platelets mediated by properdin. J. Immunol. 190:6457-67.

21. Dearth, C.L, Goh, Q., Marino, J.S., Cicinelli, P.A., Torres-Palsa, M.J., Pierre, P., Worth, R.G., Pizza,F.X. 2013. Skeletal muscle cells express ICAM-1 after muscle overload and ICAM-1 contributes to the ensuing hypertrophic response. PLoS One. 8(3):e58486

20. Woodman, M.E., Worth, R.G., Wooten, R.M. 2012. Serum opsonization promotes the efficient uptake and killing of Burkholderia pseudomallei via induction of NADPH-oxidase by human neutrophils. PLOS One. 7(12):e52276.

19. Berlacher, M.D., Vieth, J.A., Heflin, B.C., Gay, S.R., Antczak, A.J., Singh, N., Montel, A.H., Kahaleh, M.B., Worth, R.G. 2013. FcγRIIa ligation induces platelet hypersensitivity to thrombotic stimuli. Am. J. Pathol. 182:244-54.

18. Vieth, J.A., Kim, M-k., Glaser,D., Stiles, K., Schreiber, A.D., Worth,R.G. 2013. FcγRIIa requires lipid rafts but not co-localization into rafts, for effector function. Inflamm. Res. 62:37-43.

17. Riaz, A.H., Tasma, B.E., Woodman, M.E., Wooten, R.M., Worth, R.G. 2012. Human platelets efficiently kill IgG-opsonized E. coli. FEMS Immunol. Med. Microbiol. 65:78-83

16. Antczak, A.J., Vieth, J.A., Singh, N., Worth, R.G. 2011. Internalization of IgG-coated targets results in activation and secretion of soluble CD40 ligand and RANTES by human platelets. Clin. Vaccine Immunol. 18:210-216.

15. Vieth JA, Kim MK, Pan XQ, Schreiber AD, Worth R.G. 2010. Differential requirement of lipid rafts for FcγRIIA mediated effector activities. Cell. Immunol. 265:111-119.

14. Daniels, A.B., Worth, R.G., Dickstein, R.J., Dickstein, J.S., Kim-Han, T.H., Kim, M.K., Schreiber, A.D. 2010 Analysis of FcγRIIA cytoplasmic tail requirements in signaling for serotonin secretion: evidence for an ITAM-dependent, P13K-dependent pathway.  Scand J Immunol. 2010 71(4):232-239.

13. Antczak, A.J., Singh, N., Gay, S.R., Worth, R.G.  IgG-complex stimulated platelets: A source of sCD40L and RANTES in initiation of inflammatory cascase. Cell Immunol. 263:129-133.

12. Worth, R.G., C.D. Chien, P. Chien, M.P. Reilly, S.E. McKenzie S.E., A.D. Schreiber  2006. Platelet FcγRIIA binds and internalizes IgG-containing complexes.  Exp. Hematol. 34: 1490-1495.   

11. Huang, Z.-Y., Barreda, Z.R., Worth, R.G., Indik, Z.K., Kim, M.K., Chien, P., Schreiber, A.D.  2006. Differential kinase requirements in human and mouse Fcγ receptor phagocytosis and endocytosis.  J. Leuk. Biol. 80:1553-62.

10. Huang, Z.-Y., Hunter, S., Kim, M.-K., P.Chien, Worth, R.G., Indik, Z.K., and Schreiber, A.D.  2004. The monocyte Fcγ receptors FcγRI/γ and FcγRIIA differ in their interaction with Syk and with Src-related tyrosine kinases.  J. Leuk. Biol. 76:491-499.

9. Worth, R.G., Kim, M.-K., Jones, B.A., Daniels, A.B., Dickstein, R., Hunter, S., Chien, P., Schreiber, A.D.  2003. Differing structural requirements for FcγRIIA mediated signaling events.  Allergy Clin. Immunol. Int'l. Supplement 2, p197-200.   

8. Kim, M-K, Hwang, P.-H.,  Huang, Z.-Y., Jones, B.A., Sato, N., Hunter, S. Kim-Han, T.-H,  Worth, R.G.,  Indik, Z.K.,  Schreiber, A.D.  2003.  Signal sequence Fcγ receptor transmembrane domains: Role in cell surface expression, gamma chain interaction and phagocytosis.  Blood.  101:4479-4484.

7. *Worth, R.G., Kim, M-K., Kindzelskii, A.L., Petty, H.R.,  Schreiber, A.D.  2003.  Signal sequence within FcγRIIA controls calcium wave propagation patterns: apparent role in phagolysosome fusion. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 100:4533-4538. * Reviewed in Research Roundup, “Calcium waves in membrane fusion,” J. Cell Biol. 161:221.

6. Petty, H.R., Worth, R.G., Todd III, R.F.  2002. Interactions of integrins with their partner proteins in leukocyte membranes.  Immunol. Res. 25:75-95.

5. Worth R.G., Mayo-Bond L, Kim MK, van de Winkel JG, Todd RF 3rd, Petty HR, Schreiber AD. 2001. The cytoplasmic domain of FcgammaRIIA (CD32) participates in phagolysosome formation. Blood. 98(12):3429-34.

4. Worth, R.G.,  Esper, R.M., Warra, N.S., Rosenspire, A.J., Todd, III, R.F., Petty, H.R.  2001.  Mercury inhibition of neutrophil activity: evidence of aberrant cellular signaling and incoherent cellular metabolism.  Scan. J. Immunol. 53:49-55.

3. Ben-Ozer, E.Y., Warra, N.S., Esper, R.M., Worth, R.G., Kindzelskii, A.L., McCabe, M.J., Rosenspire, A.J., Petty, H.R. 2000.  Mercuric chloride damages cellular DNA by a non-apoptotic mechanism.  Mut. Res. 470:19-27.

2. Petty, H.R., Worth, R.G., Kindzelskii, A.L. 2000. Imaging sustained dissipative patterns in the metabolism of individual living cells. Phys. Rev. Let. 84:2754-2757.

1. Worth, R.G., Mayo-Bond, L., van de Winkle, J.G.J., Todd III, R.F., Petty, H.R. 1996. CR3 (αmβ2; CD11b/CD18) restores IgG-dependent phagocytosis in transfectants expressing a phagocytosis defective FcγRIIA (CD32) tail minus mutant. J. Immunol. 157:5660-5665.

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Last Updated: 3/9/23