West Research Group

Cardiac Transplantation

Departments of Pediatrics, Surgery, and Immunology, University of Alberta
KeSheng Tao

KeSheng Tao

Laboratory Manager
Microsurgeon
Email: ktao [at] ualberta [dot] ca
(780) 492-6151

  • Education

    • Master of Science with distinction, 1993, Department of Biology, York University, Toronto
    • Master of Science, 1987, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Harbin Medical University, China
    • Doctor of Medicine, 1982, Harbin Medical University, China

  • Research Interests

    • Effects of MHC molecules on induction of tolerance in neonatally-treated mice.
    • Roles of CD4 and CD8 cells in induction of tolerance in neonatally-treated mice.
    • Regulation of alloantibody production in neonatally-treated mice.
    • Chimerism.

  • Selected Responsibilities

    • Maintains and manages basic science laboratory in organ transplant physiology and immunobiology including establishing the new laboratory, purchasing all laboratory equipment and materials, and designing and running experiments independently.
    • Performs microsurgery for heterotopic cardiac transplants, skin grafts, and microinjection. Runs various in vitro immunoassays (CTL, MLR, ELISA, FACS).
    • Prepares manuscripts including data analysis, tables, figures and drafts.
    • Trains and directs co-op and summer student projects, and assists fellow and graduate student projects.

  • Interests

    • Tennis
    • Skating
    • Chinese Poetry

  • Selected Publications

    • A.M. Lamhonwah, C. Ackerley, R. Onizuka, A. Tilups, D. Lamhonwah, C Chung, K.S. Tao, I. Tein: Epitope shared by functional variant of organic cation/carnitine transporter, OCTN1, Campylobacter jejuni and Mycobacterium paratuberculosis may underlie susceptibility to Crohn's disease at 5q31. Biochem Biophys Res Commun., 337(4):1165-75, 2005
    • X. Fan, K. Tyerman, A. Ang, K. Koo, K. Parameswaran, K. Tao, L. Mai, H. Lang, L.J. West: A novel tool for B-cell tolerance research: characterization of mouse alloantibody development using a simple and reliable cellular ELISA technique. Transplant Proc., 37(1):29-31, 2005
    • X. Fan, A. Ang, K. Tao, and L.J. West: Induction of human histo-blood group A antigen expression in mouse cells by gene therapy using lentiviral vectors harbouring human ABH-related glycosyltransferase genes. Transplant Proc., 37(1):265-267, 2005
    • M. Yoshimitsu, T. Sato, K. Tao, J.S. Walia, V.I. Rasaiah, G.T. Sleep, G.J. Murray, A.G. Peoppl, J. Underwood, L. West, R.O. Brady, and J.A. Medin: Bioluminescent imaging of a marking transgene and correction of Fabry mice by neonatal injection of recombinant lectiviral vectors. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci, USA. 101(48):16909-16914, 2004
    • B. Hofmann, K. Tao, L. Mai, and L.J. West: Acceptance of related and unrelated cardiac allografts in neonatally tolerized mice is cardio-specific and transferable by regulatory CD4+ T cells. The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation. 23(9):1069-1076, 2004
    • S.H. Borenstein, K.S. Tao, N. Hu, L.J. West, and J.W. Chamberlain: Induction of xenogeneic neonatal tolerance to transgenic human leukocyte antigen Class I grafts. Transplantation 78(6):844-852, 2004
    • L.J. West and K. Tao: Acceptance of third-party cardiac but not skin allografts induced by neonatal exposure to semi-allogeneic lymphohematopoietic cells. American Journal of Transplantation 2:733-744, 2002
    • S.H. Borenstein, K.S. Tao, L.J. West, and J.W. Chamberlain: Extrathymic deletion of CD8+ alloreactive T cells in a transgenic T cell receptor model of neonatal tolerance. Transplantation 72(11):1807-1816, 2001
    • X.B. Zhang, K.S. Tao, C. Urlando, P. Shaver-Walker, and J.A. Heddle: Mutation rates in the intestinal epithelium of mice on diets high or low in fat. Mutagensis, 11(1):43-48, 1996
    • P.M. Shaver-Walker, C. Urlando. K.S. Tao, X.B. Zhang, and J. A. Heddle: Enhanced somatic mutation rates induced in stem cells of mice by low chronic exposure to ethylnitrosourea. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci, USA. 92:11470-11474, 1995
    • X.B. Zhang, C. Urlando, K.S. Tao, and J.A. Heddle: Factors affecting somatic mutation frequencies in vivo. Mutation Research, 338:189-201, 1995
    • J.A. Heddle, K.S. Tao, R.R. Swiger, and J.D. Tucker: The Transmission rate of the lacI transgene from the big blue mouse. Mutation Research, 348:63-66, 1995
    • J.A. Heddle, P. Shaver-Walker, K.S. Tao, and X.B. Zhang: Treatment protocols for transgenic mutation assays in vivo. Mutagensis, 10(6):467-470, 1995
    • K.S. Tao and J.A. Heddle: Accumulation and persistence of somatic mutations in vivo. Mutagenesis. 9(3):187-191, 1994.
    • K.S. Tao, C. Urlando, and J.A. Heddle: Comparison of somatic mutation in a transgenic versus a native locus. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 90:10681-10685, 1993
    • K.S. Tao, C. Urlando, and J.A. Heddle: Measurements of mutations induced by Methylmethanesulfonate (MMS) in vivo in the lacI transgene and the Dlb-1 native gene. Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis, 22(4):293-296, 1993
    • K.S. Tao and X.Z. Wang: Hygienical evaluation of smoke-discharged kitchen equipment. Journal of Environment and Health, 1:20, 1992
    • Y.E. Zhang, D.L. Guo, K.S. Tao, H.F. Gan, Z.G. Zhu, and F.L. He: Studies by Environmental medicine on screening and measures of treatment and control of organic pollutant sources of the Songhua river. China Environmental Science, 12(2):127-131, 1992
    • Y.E. Zhang, D.L. Guo, F.L. He, K.S. Tao, and Z.G. Zhu: Environmental medicine studies on the effects of screening, treatment control of organic pollutant sources of the Songhua River. China Environmental Sciences, 2(2):166-173, 1991
    • Y.E. Zhang, D.L. Guo, X.Z. Wang, and K.S. Tao: Study on mutagenicity of fish contaminated by the sewage from a certain ethylene plant. Journal of Environment and Health, 8(3):120-121, 1991.
    • L. Yu, Y.E. Zhang, K.S. Tao, Z.G. Zhu, J.Z. Wei: Determination of prior control targets of organic carcinogens in the industrial waste water. Journal of Environment and Health, 8(3):133-139, 1991
    • Y.E. Zhang, K.S. Tao: The medical prediction of the effects of environmental pollution on human health in the areas of Harbin city. North Environment, 34(2):13-18, 1990
    • K.S. Tao, Z.G. Zhu, and Y.E. Zhang: Prediction of SO2 pollution concentration in the densely populated area of Harbin city. Journal of Harbin Medical University, 22(2):138-140, 1988
    • K.S. Tao, Z.G. Zhu, and Y.E. Zhang: Application of multivariate discriminant analysis to critical warning of air pollution. Journal of Harbin Medical University, 22(6):32-34, 1988
    • Y.E. Zhang, D.L. Guo, K.S. Tao, and Z.G. Zhu: A study of relationship between malignant tumour and surface water pollution. Journal of Harbin Medical University, 22(6):26-28, 1988
    • Y.E. Zhang, D.L. Guo, Y.L. Zhou, and K.S. Tao: Effects of environmental factors on cancers in Harbin city and forecasts of the effects. China Environmental Sciences, 5(5):38-41, 1986
    • Y.E Zhang and K.S. Tao: Multivariate analysis of mortality rates of cardiovascular diseases and the drinking water quality. Journal of Environment and Health, 3(6):10-14, 1986
    • H.F. Gan, X. Xie, Z.R. Song, L. Guan, and K.S. Tao: Toxicological effects of methyl mercury on children's behaviour. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 5(5):35-38, 1984