Anthonio Adefuye, MBChB, MSc., PhD
Associate Professor - Dental
Dr. Adefuye is a researcher and physician-scientist with research expertise in molecular biology/ immunology and medical education.
Dr. Adefuye is interested in the elucidation of the intricate molecular mechanisms involved in the role of inflammatory pathways in neoplastic transformation of the cervix. He has particularly investigated the role of seminal plasma (SP) prostaglandins in regulating inflammatory pathways in the cervix and their role in tumorigenesis. He established for the first time that seminal fluid prosatnoids enhanced the induction of IL-1α a pleotropic pro-inflammatory cytokine, in both normal and neoplastic cervix, through the EP2/EGFR/PI3K/AKT pathways. This suggest that SP prostanoids may promote cervical inflammation as well as progression of cervical cancer in sexually active women. Dr. Adefuye also identified that SP regulates CCR5 expression in the cervix via the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) - COX-1-PGE2 pathways. This study provides a link between the activation of inflammatory pathways and the regulation of HIV receptor expression in cervical cancer cells, and suggests that repeated exposure of cervical epithelium and neoplastic cervical epithelial cells to seminal plasma can impact on HIV susceptibility in women.
Dr. Adefuye’s research interest in medical education revolves around curriculum evaluation, innovative pedagogical techniques, and curriculum development. He is particularly interested in developing new pedagogical techniques to foster active and student-centered teaching and learning in the biomedical sciences.