Basta | Biomedical and Molecular Sciences | School of Medicine

Sam Basta PhD

Position(s)

Professor

Contact Info

613-533-6000 x36648

Faculty Bio

BSc, Biochemistry. Scotland, UK.

MSc, Immunology. England, UK.

PhD, Viral Immunology. Switzerland.

Post-Doctoral Fellow ( Viral Immunology section) NIH, USA.

Post-Doctoral Scientist (Immunology Program), University of Constance, Germany.

Research Interests

Antigen presentation of viral and tumour epitopes via MHC class-I to cytotoxic CD8+ T cells.
Immunobiology of antigen presenting cells e.g Mφ, DC.
Tumour immunology, immunotherapy.

For 4th year project applicants

Interested applicants must have enrolled for Micro386 & apply for 12-unit project.

Research topics

Anti-viral CD8+ T cell responses
Antigen Cross-priming and cross-presentation
Immunobiology of Spleen-derived macrophages (Sp-Mø)
Host-virus interactions
Cytokine immune regulation and cytokine tumour immunotherapy

Publications

Banete A, Barilo J, Rauh M, Banfield B, and Basta S#. Extended IL-4 priming of macrophages induces an antiviral state that restricts Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus replication. 2026, submitted to Cytokine - revision needed. (Funded by NSERC). #Corresponding author.
Thomas I, Roger A, Rafei M, Gee K, Talbot S#, and Basta S#. Nociceptor neurons shape antiviral immunity. J Neuroinflammation. 2026 Apr 21;23(1):137. doi: 10.1186/s12974-026-03817-z. (Funded by NSERC). #Corresponding author.
Roger A, Fohrer T, Mardelle U, Thomas I, Nezhad S, Gupta S, Dory A, Jeyanathan V, Liaghat A, Mielle J, Khlifi H, Santamaria J, Brunet E, Gouilly J, Escaliere B, Bretaud N, Crosson T, Barbon PV, Mossadegh-Keller N, Irla M, Basta S, Broggi A, Milpied P, Gour N, Feuillet V, Hoeffel G, Dong X, Kaufmann E, Reynders A, Talbot S, Moqrich A, Ugolini S. Sensory neuron production of substance P and TAFA4 promotes disease tolerance during viral infection. Immunity. 2026 Mar 10;59(3):682-699.e8. doi: 10.1016/j.immuni.2026.01.022. (Funded by NSERC).
Jackson N, Bouzeineddine N, Cecchi D, Holder S, Gee K, Beckham W, Basta S, Krishnan S, and Chithrani D. Comprehensive analysis of the tumor targeting efficiency of functionalized nanoparticles in an immunocompetent environment. Sci Rep. 2025. Oct 9;15(1):35225. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-22151-7. (Funded by NSERC).
Bouzeineddine NZ, Talbot, S Basta S#, and Gee K#. Specific inflammatory stimuli that engage innate immune sensors induce novel CD103 expression profiles in macrophages. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology. 2025 doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2025.1618339. #Corresponding authors (Funded by NSERC).
Barilo J, Ratsimor M, Chan, A and Basta S#. Polarized tissue-derived macrophages display enhanced M2d phenotype after prolonged stimulation with Adenosine A2a receptor agonist in the presence of LPS. 17;30(2):27638. doi: 10.31083/FBL27638. Frontiers in Bioscience-Landmark. 2025. Feb 17;30(2):27638. doi: 10.31083/FBL27638. *JB and MR: equally contributed. #Corresponding author. (Funded by NSERC).
Laight B, Harper D, Dmytryk N, Zhang S, Garven A, Shi C, Nauman R, Kment J, Alotaibi F, Gao Y, Vlasschaert C, LeBrun D, Tyryshkin K, Berman D, Simpson A, Graham C, Craig A, Basta S, Koti M, and Greer P. Fes-deficient macrophages enhance CD8+ T cell priming and tumour control through increased proinflammatory cytokine production and presentation. Cancer Research. 2025. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-24-3686.
Bouzeineddine NZ, Philippi, A Gee K#, and Basta S#. Granulocyte Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor in Virus-Host Interactions and its Implication for Immunotherapy. 2025. Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews- (Funded by NSERC). doi: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2024.12.002. #Corresponding authors. (Funded by NSERC).
Laight B, Harper D, Dmytryk N, Zhang S, Garven A, Shi C, Nauman R, Kment J, Alotaibi F, Gao Y, Vlasschaert C, LeBrun D, Tyryshkin K, Berman D, Simpson A, Graham C, Craig A, Basta S, Koti M, and Greer P. Fes-deficient macrophages enhance CD8+ T cell priming and tumour control through increased proinflammatory cytokine production and presentation. bioRxiv. 2024 doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.02.27.581601.
Barilo J, Bouzeineddine NZ, Philippi, A and Basta S#. Polarized macrophage functions are affected differentially after CSF-1R inhibition by PLX5622. European Journal of pharmacology. 2024, 5;984:177059. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.177059. #Corresponding author. (Funded by NSERC).
*Petrina M, *Alothaimeen T, Bouzeineddine NZ, Trus E, Banete A, Gee K#, and Basta S#. Granulocyte Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor exerts dominant effects over Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor during Macrophage differentiation. Inflammation Research. 2024 Feb;73(2):253-262. (Funded by NSERC). #Corresponding author. *Contributed equally. (Funded by NSERC).
Seaver K, Kourko O, Gee K, Greer PA, and Basta S#. IL-27 Improves Prophylactic Protection Provided by a Dead Tumor Cell Vaccine in a Mouse Melanoma Model. Frontiers in Immunology. 2022 Apr 21; 13:884827. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.884827 (Funded by NSERC and Technology Development Program). #Corresponding author.
Banete A, Barilo J, Whittaker R and Basta S#. The Activated Macrophage - A Tough Fortress for Virus Invasion: How Viruses Strike Back. Frontiers in Microbiology. 2022. 12:803427. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.8034272022 (Funded by NSERC). #Corresponding author.
Odoardi N, Kourko O, Petes C, Basta S, and Gee K. TLR7 ligation inhibits TLR8 responsiveness in IL-27-primed human THP-1 monocytes and macrophages. Journal of Innate Immunity. 2021, 13(6):345-358. doi: 10.1159/000515738. (Funded by NSERC).
Alothaimeen T, Trus E, Basta S#, and Gee K#. Differential TLR7-mediated cytokine expression by R848 in M-CSF versus GM-CSF-derived macrophages after LCMV infection. Journal of General Virology. 2021, 102(3):001541. doi: 10.1099/jgv.0.001541. (Funded by NSERC). #Corresponding author.
Banete A, Gee K and Basta S#. Sustained IL-4 priming of macrophages enhances the inflammatory response to TLR7/8 ligand R848. Journal of Leukocyte Biology 2022, doi: 10.1002/JLB.3A0520-293RR. P1-13. (Funded by NSERC). #Corresponding author.
Petrina M, Martin J, and Basta S#. Granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor has come of age: from a vaccine adjuvant to antiviral immunotherapy. Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews. 2021, 101-110. doi: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2021.01.001. (Funded by NSERC). #Corresponding author.
Alothaimeen T, Seaver K, Mulder R, Gee K#, and Basta S#. GM-CSF-derived macrophages exhibit distinctive early immune response to lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection. 2020 Viral Immunology. 33(6):477-488 (Funded by NSERC). #Corresponding authors.
Trus E, Basta S#, and Gee K#. Who’s in Charge Here? Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor and Granulocyte Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor: Competing Factors in Macrophage Polarization. Cytokine. 2020. 127:154939. (Funded by NSERC). #Corresponding authors.
Kourko O*, Seaver K*, Basta S, and Gee K. IL-27, IL-30, and IL-35: a cytokine triumvirate in cancer. 2019. Frontiers in Oncology. 1; 9: 969 (Funded by Prostate Cancer Fight Foundation and Ride for Dad). *Contributed equally.
Kourko O, Smyth R, Cino D, Seaver K, Petes C, Eo S, Basta S, and Gee K. Poly(I:C)-mediated death of human prostate cancer cell lines is induced by IL-27 treatment. 2019. Journal of Interferon and Cytokine Research. 39(8):483-494. (Funded by Prostate Cancer Fight Foundation and Ride for Dad).
Che Mat, N*, Siddiqui S*, Mehta D, Seaver K, Banete A, Alothaimeen T, Gee K#, and Basta S#. Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus Infection of Dendritic Cells interferes with TLR-induced IL-12/IL-23 Expression. Cytokine. 2018. 108:105-114. (Funded by CIHR). #Corresponding authors. *Contributed equally.
Banete A, Seaver K, Bakshi D, Gee K and *Basta S. On taking the STING out of immune activation. Journal of Leukocyte Biology. 2018. Invited review, 103,6 (Funded by NSERC & CIHR). *Corresponding author.
Mulder R, Banete A, Seaver K, and *Basta S. M(IL-4) tissue macrophages support efficient interferon-gamma production in antigen-specific CD8+ T cells with reduced proliferative capacity. Frontiers in Immunology. 2017 30;8:1629. (Funded by NSERC). *Corresponding author.
Petes C, Wynick C, Mehta D, Guzzo C, Logan S, Basta S, Cooper A and Gee K. IL-27 enhances LPS-induced IL-1beta in human monocytes and murine macrophages. Journal of Leukocyte Biology. 2017. 102(1):83-94. (Funded by NSERC).
Banete A, and *Basta S. “Editorial: Decoding the macrophage phagosomal environment: the hunt for key reductases is on”. *Corresponding author. Journal of Leukocyte Biology. 2016 100(1):3. (Funded by NSERC & CIHR).
Banete A, Achita P, Harding K, Mulder R, and *Basta S. Immortalized murine macrophage cell line as a model for macrophage polarization into classically activated (m1) or alternatively activated (m2) macrophages. *Corresponding author. Journal of Clinical & Cellular Immunology. 2015. 6:318. doi: 10.4172/2155-9899.1000318 (Funded by NSERC).
The Role of Virus Infection in Deregulating the Cytokine Response to Secondary Bacterial Infection. Mehta D, Petes C, Gee K and *Basta S. *Corresponding author. J Interferon Cytokine Res. 2015. 35(12):925-34. Review (Funded by “CIHR” and NSERC).
Mulder R, Banete A and *Basta S. Spleen-derived macrophages are readily polarized into classically activated (M1) or alternatively activated (M2) states. *Corresponding author. Immunobiology. 2014. 219(10):737-45. (Funded by NSERC).
Gambhir V, Yildiz C, Siddiqui S, Guzzo C, Mulder R, Szewczuk M, Gee K and *Basta S. TLR2 subunit agonists are superior inducers of pro-inflammatory mediators than inactivated Mycobacterium butyricum. *Corresponding author. Cellular Immunology. 2012. 280:101-7 (Funded by DFC and NSERC).
Guzzo, C., Ayer A, Banfield B, Basta S, and Gee K. IL-27 enhances LPS-induced proinflammatory cytokine production via upregulation of TLR4 expression and signaling in human monocytes. J. Immunol. 2012. 15;188(2):864-73 (Funded by NSERC).
Siddiqui S and *Basta S. CD8+ T Cell Immunodominance to Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus is Modified in the Presence of Toll-Like Receptor Agonists. *Corresponding author. J Virol. 2011;85(24):13224-33 (Funded by NSERC).
Gambhir V, Kim J, Siddiqui S, Jones G and *Basta S. Influence of 1,25(OH)2D3 on TLR-induced activation of antigen presenting cells is dependent on the order of receptor engagement. *Corresponding author. Immunobiology. 2011 216:988-96 (Funded by DFC and NSERC).
Siddiqui S, Alatery A, Kus A, *Basta S. TLR engagement prior to virus infection influences MHC-I antigen presentation in an epitope-dependent manner as a result of nitric oxide release. *Corresponding author. J. Leukoc. Biol. 2011 .89:457-68 (Funded by NSERC).
Mulder DJ, Pooni A, Mak N, David J. Hurlbut DJ, Basta S, and Justinich C. The role of antigen presentation by esophageal epithelial cells in eosinophilic esophagitis. American Journal of Pathology. 2011. 178:744-53. (Funded by PSI and NSERC).
Pellegrini M, Calzascia T, Elford A, Shahinian A, Lang P, Morre M, Tedder T, Sparwasser T, Nussenzweig M, Basta S., Ohashi P and Mak T. IL-7 engages multiple mechanisms to overcome chronic viral infection and limit organ pathology. Cell. 18:601-13 2011. (Funded by CIHR and NSERC).
kim J, Ganbhir V, Alatery A, and *Basta, S. Delivery of exogenous antigens and the induction of cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses. Invited Review for the special issue on "Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes and Vaccine Development" J. Biomed. Biotechnol. 2010:218752. 2010. *Corresponding author. (Funded by NSERC and CDF).
Alatery A, Tarrab E, Lamarre A, and *Basta, S. The outcome of cross-priming during virus infection is not directly linked to the ability of the antigen to be cross-presented. Eur. J Immunol. 2010. 40(8):2190-9. 2010. *Corresponding author. (Funded by NSERC).
Alatery A, Siddiqui S, Chan M, Kus A, Petrof E, and *Basta, S. Cross but not direct presentation of cell-associated virus antigens by spleen macrophages is influenced by their differentiation state. Immunol & Cell Biology. 2010. 88:3-12. *Corresponding author. (Funded by NSERC).
Siddiqui, S, Tarrab E, Lamarre A, and *Basta, S. Altered Immunodominance hierarchies of CD8+ T cells in the spleen after infection at different sites is contingent on high virus inoculum. Microbes & Infection. 2010. 12:324-30. *Corresponding author. (Funded by NSERC).
*Basta S, Gerber H, Schaub A, Summerfield A and McCullough K. Cellular processes essential for African swine fever virus to infect and replicate in primary macrophages. Vet. Microbiol. 2010. 6;140:9-17. *Corresponding author. (Funded by NSF).
Amith SR, Jayanth P, Franchuk S, Siddiqui S, Seyrantepe V, Gee K, Basta S, Beyaert R, Pshezhetsky AV, and Szewczuk MR. Dependence of pathogen molecule-induced Toll-like receptor activation and cell function on Neu1 sialidase. Glycoconj J. 2009. 26:1197-212. (Funded by NSERC).
Alatery A and *Basta S. An efficient culture method for generating large quantities of mature mouse splenic macrophages. J. Immunol. Methods. 2008. 338:47-57 (Funded by NSERC). *Corresponding author.
Schlosser E, Fischer S, Basta S, Busch D, Gander B, and Groettrup M. Coencapsulation of adjuvants and antigen into the same biodegradable microspheres enables the generation of potent cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses. Vaccine. 2008. 26:1626-37.
Dunbar E, Alatery A and *Basta S. Cross-priming of a single viral protein from lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus alters immunodominance hierarchies of CD8+ T cells during subsequent viral infections. Viral Immunology. 2007. 20:585-98. (Funded by NSERC). *Corresponding author.
*Basta S and Alatery A. The cross-priming pathway: A portrait of an intricate immune system. Scandinavian Journal of Immunology. 2007. 65:311–319. (Funded by NSERC). *Corresponding author, Review.
Woronowicz A, Amith SR, De Vusser K, Laroy W, Contreras R, Basta S and Szewczuk MR. Dependence of Neurotrophic Factor Activation of Trk Tyrosine Kinase Receptors on Cellular Sialidase. Glycobiology. 2007. 17:10-24. (Funded by NSERC).
*1Basta S, 1Stoessel R, Basler M, van den Broek M, and Groettrup M. Cross-Presentation of the Long-Lived Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus Nucleoprotein Does Not Require Neosynthesis and Is Enhanced via Heat Shock Proteins. J. Immunol. 2005. 175:796-805. (Funded by Marie Curie Fellowship, EU). *Corresponding author, 1Primary authorship.
Chen W, Pang K, Masterman K, Kennedy G, Basta S, Dimopoulos N, Hornung F, Smyth M, Bennink JR, and Yewdell. JW. Reversal in the Immunodominance Hierarchy in Secondary CD8+ T Cell Responses to Influenza A Virus: Roles for Cross-Presentation and Lysis-Independent Immunodomination. J. Immunol. 2004. 173:5021-5027. (Funded by MRC, Australia and NIH, USA).
*Norbury CC, *Basta S, Donohue KB, Tscharke DC, Princiotta MF, Berglund P, Gibbs J, Bennink JR, & Yewdell JW. CD8+ T cell cross-priming via transfer of proteasome substrates. Science. 2004. 304:1318-21. *Primary authorship. (NIH funding, USA).
Chen W, Masterman K, Basta S, Haeryfar SM, Dimopoulos N, Knowles B, Bennink JR and Yewdell JW. Cross-priming of CD8+ T cells by viral and tumor antigens is a robust phenomenon. Eur. J. Immunol. 2004. 34:194–199. (NIH funding, USA).
Basta S, and Bennink JR. A survival game of hide and seek: Cytomegaloviruses and MHC class I Antigen Presentation Pathways. Viral Immunology. 2003. 16:231-242. (NIH funding, USA) – REVIEW.
Cho Y, Basta S, Chen W, Bennink JR, Yewdell JW. Heat-Aggregated Noninfectious Influenza Virus Induces a More Balanced CD8(+)-T-Lymphocyte Immunodominance Hierarchy Than Infectious Virus. J. Virol. 2003. 77:4679-84. (NIH funding, USA).
Basta S, Chen W, Bennink JR, Yewdell JW. Inhibitory effects of cytomegalovirus proteins US2 and US11 point to contributions from direct priming and cross-priming in induction of vaccinia virus-specific CD8(+) T cells. J Immunol. 2002. 168:5403-8. (NIH funding, USA).
Chen W, Calvo PA, Malide D, Gibbs J, Schubert U, Bacik I, Basta S, O'Neill R, Schickli J, Palese P, Henklein P, Bennink JR, Yewdell JW. A novel influenza A virus mitochondrial protein that induces cell death. Nat. Med. 2001. 7:1306-12. (NIH funding, USA).
Basta S, Knoetig S, Summerfield A, McCullough KC. Lipopolysaccharide and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate both impair monocyte differentiation, relating cellular function to virus susceptibility. Immunology 2001. 103:488-97. (Funded by the Swiss NSF and FVO).
Basta S, Carrasco CP, Knoetig SM, Rigden RC, Gerber H, Summerfield A, McCullough KC. Porcine alveolar macrophages: poor accessory or effective suppressor cells for T-lymphocytes. Vet. Immunol. Immunopathol. 2000. 77:177-90. (Funded by the Swiss NSF and FOES).
McCullough KC, Basta S, Knotig S, Gerber H, Schaffner R, Kim YB, Saalmuller A, Summerfield A. Intermediate stages in monocyte-macrophage differentiation modulate phenotype and susceptibility to virus infection. Immunology 1999. 98:203-12. (Funded by the Swiss NSF and FVO).
Basta S, Knoetig SM, Spagnuolo-Weaver M, Allan G, McCullough KC. Modulation of monocytic cell activity and virus susceptibility during differentiation into macrophages. J. Immunol. 1999. 162:3961-9. (Funded by the Swiss NSF).

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