Rita B Bortell PHD
Title Associate Professor
Institution University of Massachusetts Medical School
Department Program in Molecular Medicine
Address University of Massachusetts Medical School
373 Plantation Street
Worcester MA 01605
Telephone 508-856-3788
Email
Other Positions
Institution UMMS - Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Department Immunology & Virology

Institution UMMS - Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Department Interdisciplinary Graduate Program
Narrative

Academic Background

B.S., University of Florida, 1975
M.S., University of Florida, 1981
Ph.D., University of Florida College of Medicine, 1987

Pathogenesis of autoimmune diabetes

A major goal of our research is to understand the etiology and pathogenesis of diabetes, with a particular focus on cellular processes which contribute to pancreatic beta cell dysfunction. In one approach we utilize rodent models of spontaneous and virus-induced autoimmune type 1 diabetes to investigate beta cell endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress during induction of the disease. We employ molecular, biochemical and cellular approaches to elucidate diabetes pathogenesis so as to develop therapies to prevent or reverse the disease. A second approach is focused on developing methods to increase the survival and function of human pancreatic islet transplants to cure those individuals who are already diabetic. For these studies we use novel strains of immunodeficient mice that can be engrafted with functional human cells and tissues, including human pancreatic islets and/or human immune systems. We are utilizing these “humanized” mice to investigate human beta cell function, regeneration and survival in response to various in vivo settings relevant to both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Such approaches allow us to uncover molecular mechanisms important in preserving human beta cell function and survival, thus facilitating the translation of these discoveries into the clinic.

Publications
1. Oslowski CM, Hara T, O'Sullivan-Murphy B, Kanekura K, Lu S, Hara M, Ishigaki S, Zhu LJ, Hayashi E, Hui ST, Greiner D, Kaufman RJ, Bortell R, Urano F. Thioredoxin-Interacting Protein Mediates ER Stress-Induced ß Cell Death through Initiation of the Inflammasome. Cell Metab. 2012 Aug 8; 16(2):265-73.
  View in: PubMed
 
2. Alexandrov IM, Ivshina M, Jung DY, Friedline R, Ko HJ, Xu M, O'Sullivan-Murphy B, Bortell R, Huang YT, Urano F, Kim JK, Richter JD. Cytoplasmic Polyadenylation Element Binding Protein Deficiency Stimulates PTEN and Stat3 mRNA Translation and Induces Hepatic Insulin Resistance. PLoS Genet. 2012 Jan; 8(1):e1002457.
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3. Bortell R, Yang C. The BB Rat as a Model of Human Type 1 Diabetes. Methods Mol Biol. 2012; 933:31-44.
  View in: PubMed
 
4. Kruger AJ, Yang C, Tam SW, Hinerfeld D, Evans JE, Green KM, Leszyk J, Yang K, Guberski DL, Mordes JP, Greiner DL, Rossini AA, Bortell R. Haptoglobin as an early serum biomarker of virus-induced autoimmune type 1 diabetes in biobreeding diabetes resistant and LEW1.WR1 rats. Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2010 Nov 1; 235(11):1328-37.
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5. Jurczyk A, Roy N, Bajwa R, Gut P, Lipson K, Yang C, Covassin L, Racki WJ, Rossini AA, Phillips N, Stainier DY, Greiner DL, Brehm MA, Bortell R, Diiorio P. Dynamic glucoregulation and mammalian-like responses to metabolic and developmental disruption in zebrafish. Gen Comp Endocrinol. 2011 Jan 15; 170(2):334-45.
  View in: PubMed
 
6. Kruger AJ, Yang C, Lipson KL, Pino SC, Leif JH, Hogan CM, Whalen BJ, Guberski DL, Lee Y, Unger RH, Greiner DL, Rossini AA, Bortell R. Leptin treatment confers clinical benefit at multiple stages of virally induced type 1 diabetes in BB rats. Autoimmunity. 2011 Mar; 44(2):137-48.
  View in: PubMed
 
7. Jurczyk A, Pino SC, O'Sullivan-Murphy B, Addorio M, Lidstone EA, Diiorio P, Lipson KL, Standley C, Fogarty K, Lifshitz L, Urano F, Mordes JP, Greiner DL, Rossini AA, Bortell R. A novel role for the centrosomal protein, pericentrin, in regulation of insulin secretory vesicle docking in mouse pancreatic beta-cells. PLoS One. 2010; 5(7):e11812.
  View in: PubMed
 
8. Brehm MA, Bortell R, Diiorio P, Leif J, Laning J, Cuthbert A, Yang C, Herlihy M, Burzenski L, Gott B, Foreman O, Powers AC, Greiner DL, Shultz LD. Human immune system development and rejection of human islet allografts in spontaneously diabetic NOD-Rag1null IL2rgammanull Ins2Akita mice. Diabetes. 2010 Sep; 59(9):2265-70.
  View in: PubMed
 
9. Pino SC, Kruger AJ, Bortell R. The role of innate immune pathways in type 1 diabetes pathogenesis. Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes. 2010 Apr; 17(2):126-30.
  View in: PubMed
 
10. Ishigaki S, Fonseca SG, Oslowski CM, Jurczyk A, Shearstone JR, Zhu LJ, Permutt MA, Greiner DL, Bortell R, Urano F. AATF mediates an antiapoptotic effect of the unfolded protein response through transcriptional regulation of AKT1. Cell Death Differ. 2010 May; 17(5):774-86.
  View in: PubMed
 
11. King MA, Covassin L, Brehm MA, Racki W, Pearson T, Leif J, Laning J, Fodor W, Foreman O, Burzenski L, Chase TH, Gott B, Rossini AA, Bortell R, Shultz LD, Greiner DL. Human peripheral blood leucocyte non-obese diabetic-severe combined immunodeficiency interleukin-2 receptor gamma chain gene mouse model of xenogeneic graft-versus-host-like disease and the role of host major histocompatibility complex. Clin Exp Immunol. 2009 Jul; 157(1):104-18.
  View in: PubMed
 
12. Pino SC, O'Sullivan-Murphy B, Lidstone EA, Yang C, Lipson KL, Jurczyk A, diIorio P, Brehm MA, Mordes JP, Greiner DL, Rossini AA, Bortell R. CHOP mediates endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptosis in Gimap5-deficient T cells. PLoS One. 2009; 4(5):e5468.
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13. Chopra P, Diiorio P, Pino SC, Wilson SB, Phillips NE, Mordes JP, Rossini AA, Greiner DL, Shultz LD, Bortell R. Failure of alpha-galactosylceramide to prevent diabetes in virus-inducible models of type 1 diabetes in the rat. In Vivo. 2009 Mar-Apr; 23(2):195-201.
  View in: PubMed
 
14. Bortell R, Pino SC, Greiner DL, Zipris D, Rossini AA. Closing the circle between the bedside and the bench: Toll-like receptors in models of virally induced diabetes. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2008 Dec; 1150:112-22.
  View in: PubMed
 
15. Pino SC, O'Sullivan-Murphy B, Lidstone EA, Thornley TB, Jurczyk A, Urano F, Greiner DL, Mordes JP, Rossini AA, Bortell R. Protein kinase C signaling during T cell activation induces the endoplasmic reticulum stress response. Cell Stress Chaperones. 2008 Dec; 13(4):421-34.
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16. Lipson KL, Fonseca SG, Ishigaki S, Nguyen LX, Foss E, Bortell R, Rossini AA, Urano F. Regulation of insulin biosynthesis in pancreatic beta cells by an endoplasmic reticulum-resident protein kinase IRE1. Cell Metab. 2006 Sep; 4(3):245-54.
  View in: PubMed
 
17. Morrison AR, Moss J, Stevens LA, Evans JE, Farrell C, Merithew E, Lambright DG, Greiner DL, Mordes JP, Rossini AA, Bortell R. ART2, a T cell surface mono-ADP-ribosyltransferase, generates extracellular poly(ADP-ribose). J Biol Chem. 2006 Nov 3; 281(44):33363-72.
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18. Zheng X, Morrison AR, Chung AS, Moss J, Bortell R. Substrate specificity of soluble and membrane-associated ADP-ribosyltransferase ART2.1. J Cell Biochem. 2006 Jul 1; 98(4):851-60.
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19. Todd DJ, Forsberg EM, Greiner DL, Mordes JP, Rossini AA, Bortell R. Deficiencies in gut NK cell number and function precede diabetes onset in BB rats. J Immunol. 2004 May 1; 172(9):5356-62.
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20. Mordes JP, Bortell R, Blankenhorn EP, Rossini AA, Greiner DL. Rat models of type 1 diabetes: genetics, environment, and autoimmunity. ILAR J. 2004; 45(3):278-91.
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21. Pandarpurkar M, Wilson-Fritch L, Corvera S, Markholst H, Hornum L, Greiner DL, Mordes JP, Rossini AA, Bortell R. Ian4 is required for mitochondrial integrity and T cell survival. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2003 Sep 2; 100(18):10382-7.
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22. Todd DJ, Greiner DL, Rossini AA, Mordes JP, Bortell R. An atypical population of NK cells that spontaneously secrete IFN-gamma and IL-4 is present in the intraepithelial lymphoid compartment of the rat. J Immunol. 2001 Oct 1; 167(7):3600-9.
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23. Bortell R, Moss J, McKenna RC, Rigby MR, Niedzwiecki D, Stevens LA, Patton WA, Mordes JP, Greiner DL, Rossini AA. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and its metabolites inhibit T lymphocyte proliferation: role of cell surface NAD glycohydrolase and pyrophosphatase activities. J Immunol. 2001 Aug 15; 167(4):2049-59.
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24. Bortel R, Waite DJ, Whalen BJ, Todd D, Leif JH, Lesma E, Moss J, Mordes JP, Rossini AA, Greiner DL. Levels of Art2+ cells but not soluble Art2 protein correlate with expression of autoimmune diabetes in the BB rat. Autoimmunity. 2001 May; 33(3):199-211.
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25. Todd D, Singh AJ, Greiner DL, Mordes JP, Rossini AA, Bortell R. A new isolation method for rat intraepithelial lymphocytes. J Immunol Methods. 1999 Apr 22; 224(1-2):111-27.
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26. Bortell R, Kanaitsuka T, Stevens LA, Moss J, Mordes JP, Rossini AA, Greiner DL. The RT6 (Art2) family of ADP-ribosyltransferases in rat and mouse. Mol Cell Biochem. 1999 Mar; 193(1-2):61-8.
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27. Shalhoub V, Aslam F, Breen E, van Wijnen A, Bortell R, Stein GS, Stein JL, Lian JB. Multiple levels of steroid hormone-dependent control of osteocalcin during osteoblast differentiation: glucocorticoid regulation of basal and vitamin D stimulated gene expression. J Cell Biochem. 1998 May 1; 69(2):154-68.
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28. Kanaitsuka T, Bortell R, Stevens LA, Moss J, Sardinha D, Rajan TV, Zipris D, Mordes JP, Greiner DL, Rossini AA. Expression in BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice of Rt6-1 and Rt6-2 ADP-ribosyltransferases that differ in enzymatic activity: C57BL/6 Rt6-1 is a natural transferase knockout. J Immunol. 1997 Sep 15; 159(6):2741-9.
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29. Bortell R, Rigby M, Stevens L, Moss J, Kanaitsuka T, Mordes J, Greiner D, Rossini A. Mouse RT6 locus 1 and rat RT6.2 are NAD+. Arginine ADP-ribosyltransferases with auto-ADP-ribosylation activity. Adv Exp Med Biol. 1997; 419:169-73.
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30. Greiner DL, Malkani S, Kanaitsuka T, Bortell R, Doukas J, Rigby M, Whalen B, Stevens LA, Moss J, Mordes JP, Rossini AA. The T cell marker RT6 in a rat model of autoimmune diabetes. Adv Exp Med Biol. 1997; 419:209-16.
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31. Rigby MR, Bortell R, Greiner DL, Czech MP, Klarlund JK, Mordes JP, Rossini AA. The rat T-cell surface protein RT6 is associated with src family tyrosine kinases and generates an activation signal. Diabetes. 1996 Oct; 45(10):1419-26.
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32. Mordes JP, Bortell R, Doukas J, Rigby M, Whalen B, Zipris D, Greiner DL, Rossini AA. The BB/Wor rat and the balance hypothesis of autoimmunity. Diabetes Metab Rev. 1996 Jul; 12(2):103-9.
  View in: PubMed
 
33. Rigby MR, Bortell R, Stevens LA, Moss J, Kanaitsuka T, Shigeta H, Mordes JP, Greiner DL, Rossini AA. Rat RT6.2 and mouse Rt6 locus 1 are NAD+: arginine ADP ribosyltransferases with auto-ADP ribosylation activity. J Immunol. 1996 Jun 1; 156(11):4259-65.
  View in: PubMed
 
34. Aslam F, Shalhoub V, van Wijnen AJ, Banerjee C, Bortell R, Shakoori AR, Litwack G, Stein JL, Stein GS, Lian JB. Contributions of distal and proximal promoter elements to glucocorticoid regulation of osteocalcin gene transcription. Mol Endocrinol. 1995 Jun; 9(6):679-90.
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35. Ramsey-Ewing AL, Bortell R, Stein GS, Stein JL. Histone H4 proximal promoter mediates a complex transcriptional response during differentiation of 3T3L1 adipocytes. J Cell Physiol. 1995 May; 163(2):312-20.
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36. Heinrichs AA, Bortell R, Bourke M, Lian JB, Stein GS, Stein JL. Proximal promoter binding protein contributes to developmental, tissue-restricted expression of the rat osteocalcin gene. J Cell Biochem. 1995 Jan; 57(1):90-100.
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37. Shalhoub V, Bortell R, Jackson ME, Marks SC, Stein JL, Lian JB, Stein GS. Transcriptionally active nuclei isolated from intact bone reflect modified levels of gene expression in skeletal development and pathology. J Cell Biochem. 1994 Jun; 55(2):182-9.
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38. Shakoori AR, van Wijnen AJ, Bortell R, Owen TA, Stein JL, Lian JB, Stein GS. Variations in vitamin D receptor transcription factor complexes associated with the osteocalcin gene vitamin D responsive element in osteoblasts and osteosarcoma cells. J Cell Biochem. 1994 Jun; 55(2):218-29.
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39. Bortell R, Owen TA, Ignotz R, Stein GS, Stein JL. TGF beta 1 prevents the down-regulation of type I procollagen, fibronectin, and TGF beta 1 gene expression associated with 3T3-L1 pre-adipocyte differentiation. J Cell Biochem. 1994 Feb; 54(2):256-63.
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40. Sarkar P, Crisá L, McKeever U, Bortell R, Handler E, Mordes JP, Waite D, Schoenbaum A, Haag F, Koch-Nolte F, et al. Loss of RT6 message and most circulating T cells after thymectomy of diabetes prone BB rats. Autoimmunity. 1994; 18(1):15-22.
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41. Heinrichs AA, Banerjee C, Bortell R, Owen TA, Stein JL, Stein GS, Lian JB. Identification and characterization of two proximal elements in the rat osteocalcin gene promoter that may confer species-specific regulation. J Cell Biochem. 1993 Nov; 53(3):240-50.
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42. Heinrichs AA, Bortell R, Rahman S, Stein JL, Alnemri ES, Litwack G, Lian JB, Stein GS. Identification of multiple glucocorticoid receptor binding sites in the rat osteocalcin gene promoter. Biochemistry. 1993 Oct 26; 32(42):11436-44.
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43. Barone LM, Tassinari MS, Bortell R, Owen TA, Zerogian J, Gagne K, Stein GS, Lian JB. Inhibition of induced endochondral bone development in caffeine-treated rats. J Cell Biochem. 1993 Jun; 52(2):171-82.
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44. van den Ent FM, van Wijnen AJ, Last TJ, Bortell R, Stein JL, Lian JB, Stein GS. Concerted control of multiple histone promoter factors during cell density inhibition of proliferation in osteosarcoma cells: reciprocal regulation of cell cycle-controlled and bone-related genes. Cancer Res. 1993 May 15; 53(10 Suppl):2399-409.
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45. Bortell R, Owen TA, Shalhoub V, Heinrichs A, Aronow MA, Rochette-Egly C, Lutz Y, Stein JL, Lian JB, Stein GS. Constitutive transcription of the osteocalcin gene in osteosarcoma cells is reflected by altered protein-DNA interactions at promoter regulatory elements. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1993 Mar 15; 90(6):2300-4.
  View in: PubMed
 
46. Owen TA, Bortell R, Shalhoub V, Heinrichs A, Stein JL, Stein GS, Lian JB. Postproliferative transcription of the rat osteocalcin gene is reflected by vitamin D-responsive developmental modifications in protein-DNA interactions at basal and enhancer promoter elements. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1993 Feb 15; 90(4):1503-7.
  View in: PubMed
 
47. Bortell R, van Wijnen AJ, Ramsey-Ewing AL, Stein GS, Stein JL. Differential regulation of H4 histone gene expression in 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes during arrest of proliferation following contact inhibition or differentiation and its modulation by TGF beta 1. J Cell Biochem. 1992 Sep; 50(1):62-72.
  View in: PubMed
 
48. Bortell R, Owen TA, Bidwell JP, Gavazzo P, Breen E, van Wijnen AJ, DeLuca HF, Stein JL, Lian JB, Stein GS. Vitamin D-responsive protein-DNA interactions at multiple promoter regulatory elements that contribute to the level of rat osteocalcin gene expression. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1992 Jul 1; 89(13):6119-23.
  View in: PubMed
 
49. Stein GS, Lian JB, Dworetzky SI, Owen TA, Bortell R, Bidwell JP, van Wijnen AJ. Regulation of transcription-factor activity during growth and differentiation: involvement of the nuclear matrix in concentration and localization of promoter binding proteins. J Cell Biochem. 1991 Dec; 47(4):300-5.
  View in: PubMed
 
50. Barone LM, Owen TA, Tassinari MS, Bortell R, Stein GS, Lian JB. Developmental expression and hormonal regulation of the rat matrix Gla protein (MGP) gene in chondrogenesis and osteogenesis. J Cell Biochem. 1991 Aug; 46(4):351-65.
  View in: PubMed
 
51. van Wijnen AJ, Ramsey-Ewing AL, Bortell R, Owen TA, Lian JB, Stein JL, Stein GS. Transcriptional element H4-site II of cell cycle regulated human H4 histone genes is a multipartite protein/DNA interaction site for factors HiNF-D, HiNF-M, and HiNF-P: involvement of phosphorylation. J Cell Biochem. 1991 Jun; 46(2):174-89.
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52. Collart D, Ramsey-Ewing A, Bortell R, Lian J, Stein J, Stein G. Isolation and characterization of a cDNA from a human histone H2B gene which is reciprocally expressed in relation to replication-dependent H2B histone genes during HL60 cell differentiation. Biochemistry. 1991 Feb 12; 30(6):1610-7.
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53. Zambetti G, Ramsey-Ewing A, Bortell R, Stein G, Stein J. Disruption of the cytoskeleton with cytochalasin D induces c-fos gene expression. Exp Cell Res. 1991 Jan; 192(1):93-101.
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54. Lian JB, Stein GS, Bortell R, Owen TA. Phenotype suppression: a postulated molecular mechanism for mediating the relationship of proliferation and differentiation by Fos/Jun interactions at AP-1 sites in steroid responsive promoter elements of tissue-specific genes. J Cell Biochem. 1991 Jan; 45(1):9-14.
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55. Owen TA, Bortell R, Yocum SA, Smock SL, Zhang M, Abate C, Shalhoub V, Aronin N, Wright KL, van Wijnen AJ, et al. Coordinate occupancy of AP-1 sites in the vitamin D-responsive and CCAAT box elements by Fos-Jun in the osteocalcin gene: model for phenotype suppression of transcription. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1990 Dec; 87(24):9990-4.
  View in: PubMed
 
56. Bortell R, Barone LM, Tassinari MS, Lian JB, Stein GS. Gene expression during endochondral bone development: evidence for coordinate expression of transforming growth factor beta 1 and collagen type I. J Cell Biochem. 1990 Oct; 44(2):81-91.
  View in: PubMed
 
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Keyword
Last Name
Institution
    
 
 
 
Keywords   
ADP Ribose Transferases
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1
T-Lymphocytes
Membrane Glycoproteins
Rats
See all (321) keywords
Co-Authors  
Greiner, Dale
Lian, Jane
Mordes, John
Rossini, Aldo
Stein, Gary
See all (29) people
Physical Neighbors  
Yang, Chaoxing
Pazour, Gregory
Virbasius, Joseph
Peters, Paul
Furcinitti, Paul

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