Jagadeesh Narasimhappagari, PhD

Research Program: Cancer Biology Faculty Rank: Assistant Staff Scientist Campus: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College: College of Medicine Department: Geriatrics

Cancer Research Interest

• Disease Site Focus: Brain, Breast, Melanoma
• Research Focus Area: Prevention, Carcinogenesis, Treatment
• Type of Research: Translational
• Research Keywords: Neuroinflammation, Interleukin-1Beta, Glioblastoma, Neuroblastoma, Breast cancer
• Research Interest Statement: IL-1β is produced and secreted by various cell types, such as immune cells, fibroblasts, or cancer cells. IL-1β and its downstream signaling has been reported to facilitate cancer metastasis in various types of cancers including Breast, liver, colon and Glioblastoma cancer conditions. Understanding its mechanism of action and its downstream events can open a gateway for new therapeutic interventions. Immunotherapy and its anticancer mechanisms have been reported to be successful strategies in the drug development. So regulating IL-1β and its receptor through targeted drugs can be the promising anti cancer therapy.

Contact Information

• Email Address: NJAGADEESH@UAMS.EDU

Recent Publications

• Narasimhappagari J, Liu L, Balasubramaniam M, [et al.]. When Two Worlds Collide: The Contribution and Association Between Genetics (APOEε4) and Neuroinflammation (IL-1β) in Alzheimer's Neuropathogenesis. Cells. 2025 14(15). PMID: 40801649. PMCID: PMC12345965.
• Narasimhappagari J, Liu L, Balasubramaniam M, [et al.]. The Seminal Role of the Proinflammatory Cytokine IL-1β and Its Signaling Cascade in Glioblastoma Pathogenesis and the Therapeutic Effect of Interleukin-1β Receptor Antagonist (IL-1RA) and Tolcapone. International journal of molecular sciences. 2025 26(14). PMID: 40725140. PMCID: PMC12296064.
• Balasubramaniam M, Narasimhappagari J, Liu L, [et al.]. Rescue of ApoE4-related lysosomal autophagic failure in Alzheimer's disease by targeted small molecules. Communications biology. 2024 7(1):60. PMID: 38191671. PMCID: PMC10774381.
• Jagadeesh N, Kulkani SS, Chachadi VB, [et al.]. Purification, characterization of an entomopathogenic fungal lectin from Purpureocillium lilacinum and its involvement in pathogenesis leading to mycotic keratitis. Archives of microbiology. 2022 204(11):673. PMID: 36255493.
• Jagadeesh N, Belur S, Ballal S, [et al.]. Cephalosporium curvulum lectin causes mycotic keratitis by initiating infection through MyD88 dependent cellular proliferation and apoptosis in human corneal epithelial cells. Glycoconjugate journal. 2021 38(4):509-516. PMID: 34146213.
• Jagadeesh N, Belur S, Campbell BJ, Inamdar SR. The fucose-specific lectin ANL from Aspergillus niger possesses anti-cancer activity by inducing the intrinsic apoptosis pathway in hepatocellular and colon cancer cells. Cell biochemistry and function. 2021 39(3):401-412. PMID: 33527486.
• Inamdar SR, Jagadeesh N, Hiremath KY, [et al.]. A Polylactosamine Specific Lectin from Adenia hondala Induces Apoptosis and Necrosis in Human Epithelial Colon Cancer HT-29 Cells. Protein and peptide letters. 2021 28(10):1108-1114. PMID: 34137358.
• Jagadeesh N, Belur S, Chachadi VB, [et al.]. Aspergillus niger lectin elicits MyD88 dependent proliferation and apoptosis at lower and higher doses in immortalized human corneal epithelial cells leading to pathogenesis. International journal of biological macromolecules. 2020 165(Pt B):2089-2095. PMID: 33045300.