Dr. Chaitenya Verma is currently working as an Assistant Professor at the Department of Biotechnology, Sharda University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India. Dr. Verma has done his PhD at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi focusing on the field of infection immunobiology in HIV-TB co-infected patients. His research aimed to understand the immune regulation of Tuberculosis-associated Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome (TB-IRIS) in HIV patients. He did his postdoctoral training at the Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Center for Biomedical Research (ACBR) at Delhi University, where he studied the role of calcium channels in modulating key players of the innate immune system, such as dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages, and their effects on regulating effector T cell responses in Staphylococcus aureus and M. tuberculosis infection. Further, he joined The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA, where he continued his work in infection biology to target Leishman
RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS
Biotechnology, Infectious Diseases, Immunology and Allergy, Cancer Research
41
Scopus Publications
563
Scholar Citations
13
Scholar h-index
20
Scholar i10-index
Scopus Publications
Microneedle-based injection of Fungizone/Amphotericin B: an effective treatment for American cutaneous leishmaniasis in mice Ryan H. Huston, Blake Cox, Chaitenya Verma, Thalia Pacheco-Fernandez, Greta Volpedo, M. Junaid Dar, Yulian Mercado, Abigail R. Wharton, Max Gessner, Nandu Purayil, Ivana Arsovska, Leah Watkins, Junqi Lu, Jennifer Y. Zhang, Andrew Sachan, Roger J. Narayan, Abhay R. Satoskar Drug Delivery, 2026 test). No elevation of blood serum creatinine or blood urea nitrogen levels was observed, supporting the hypothesis of lessened kidney toxicity. Additionally, flow cytometry explorations showed differences in IL-17 and IFN-γ positivity, and histological changes were observed in the upper dermis. These promising results represent the first test of hollow microneedles for CL treatment and pave the way for further trials. The adoption of microneedles could reduce CL burden in affected communities because of their ease of use, efficacy, and safety with a pre-approved drug.
Ethics in Laboratory Diagnostics: Perspectives and Challenges Gaurav Kaushik, Richa Vashishtha, Chaitenya Verma Allied Healthcare in Practice an Introduction to Integrated Patient Care, 2026 This chapter thoroughly explores the ethical challenges associated with laboratory diagnostics, underscoring their pivotal role in maintaining the integrity and trustworthiness of medical procedures. The chapter categorizes ethical challenges within the realms of patient care, research, and professional conduct, addressing fundamental principles including beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy, justice, fairness, honesty, and professionalism. It delves into the impact of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), point-of-care testing, and genetic testing on ethical considerations. It also addresses national and international ethical standards, emphasizing the crucial contribution of regulatory agencies and professional associations to societal ethics. The chapter outlines various strategies for addressing ethical concerns, including interdisciplinary collaboration, ethical review panels, and initiatives for training and educa- tion. The chapter concludes with future directions and recommendations, offering a roadmap for understanding and navigating the intricate ethical landscape of laboratory diagnostics.
Prognostic Significance and Immune Correlation of CCL3 Expression in Colon Adenocarcinoma: Insights From Multidatabase Analysis Vikrant Kumar, Nawaid Hussain Khan, Shashi Nandar Kumar, Neeraj Mahajan, Wafa Aziz, Vinay Kumar, Chaitenya Verma Biochemistry Research International, 2026 Objective Colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) remains a leading cause of cancer‐related mortality, necessitating reliable prognostic biomarkers. This study explored the potential prognostic role of C‐C motif chemokine ligand 3 (CCL3) and its association with immune‐related signatures in COAD. Methods Multiple publicly accessible databases, including TCGA, GEPIA2, UALCAN, TIMER, and Kaplan–Meier (KM) plotter, were used to examine the expression and prognostic profiles of CCL3 in various cancers. The association between CCL3 expression and clinical stage, immune infiltration, and immune gene markers was investigated using TIMER, GEPIA2, and TISIDB databases. Furthermore, we conducted functional enrichment analyses (GO and KEGG) of genes coexpressed with CCL3, assessed methylation status using OncoBD and MEXPRESS, and developed a gene–miRNA interaction network using miRWalk to elucidate their potential roles in COAD. Results The expression of CCL3 was significantly upregulated in COAD and most other malignancies. Furthermore, high CCL3 expression was significantly associated with poor overall survival (OS) and relapse‐free survival (RFS), with a univariate HR = 1.52 (95% CI: 1.12–2.06, p < 0.01). Multivariate Cox regression confirmed CCL3 as an independent prognostic factor after adjusting for the TNM stage, age, gender, and grade (adjusted HR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.05–1.92, p = 0.023). CCL3 showed strong positive correlations with immune cell infiltration, particularly macrophages (Cor = 0.72, p < 0.001) and neutrophils (Cor = 0.74, p < 0.001), suggesting its role in shaping an immunosuppressive tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). Additionally, preliminary correlations indicate that high CCL3 may be associated with chemotherapy resistance. Conclusion This study suggests that CCL3 could serve as a potential prognostic marker for COAD and other cancers. Because CCL3 expression was strongly associated with immune modulation within the tumor microenvironment, this pointed out that CCL3 could serve as a promising therapeutic target with significant implications for immunotherapy and chemotherapy response.
Polyethyleneimine-functionalized iron oxide nanoparticle-based method for isolation of Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) from saliva samples in forensic investigations Imran Khan, Gaurav Kaushik, Chaitenya Verma, Vinay Kumar, Richa Vashishtha Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences, 2025 Background Forensic investigations often rely on DNA analysis from biological samples such as saliva, which provides a non-invasive and accessible source of DNA. However, efficient isolation of high-quality DNA from saliva remains challenging due to the presence of inhibitors and mucins. In this study, a DNA isolation method was evaluated for isolating DNA from saliva samples using polyethyleneimine-functionalized iron-oxide nanoparticles, utilizing their high DNA binding capacity and the magnetic properties. Saliva samples (200 µL) were obtained from 20 healthy individuals, and DNA was isolated using PEI-IONPs followed by elution in 200 µL of elution buffer. DNA yield, purity, and integrity were assessed using UV–vis spectrophotometry and agarose gel electrophoresis. Results DNA isolated using PEI-IONP-based method showed an average yield of 5.8 µg per 200 µL of saliva, with an average concentration of 29.0 ng/µL. The purity ratio (OD260/OD280) of 1.82 indicated minimal contamination from proteins or RNA, and agarose gel electrophoresis confirmed the high molecular weight and integrity of the DNA. Conclusions This study establishes PEI-IONP as a reliable, safe, and efficient approach for DNA isolation from saliva samples, with potential applications in forensic science. The method also minimizes the use of hazardous chemicals, providing an environment friendly alternative to traditional isolation techniques. However, future research should evaluate the compatibility of the isolated DNA with PCR-based applications, such as STR profiling and mitochondrial DNA typing, comparing its recovery efficiency with established methods and validate its effectiveness with actual forensic casework samples, e.g., dried samples.
Understanding Sex-biases in Kinetoplastid Infections: Leishmaniasis and Trypanosomiasis Olivia Battistoni, Ryan H. Huston, Chaitenya Verma, Thalia Pacheco-Fernandez, Sara Abul-Khoudoud, Alison Campbell, Abhay R. Satoskar Expert Reviews in Molecular Medicine, 2025 Background Leishmaniasis, Chagas disease (CD), and Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) are neglected tropical diseases in humans caused by intracellular parasites from the class Kinetoplastida. Leishmaniasis is one infectious disease that exhibits sex-bias not explained solely by behavioral or cultural differences. However, HAT and CD have less well documented and understood sex-related differences, either due to a lack of differences or insufficient research and reporting. Methods This paper reviews the rate of disease and disease severity among male and females infected with CD, HAT, and leishmaniasis. We further review the specific immune response to each pathogen and potential sex-based mechanisms which could impact immune responses and disease outcomes. Results These mechanisms include sex hormone modulation of the immune response, sex-related genetic differences, and socio-cultural factors impacting risky behaviors in men and women. The mechanistic differences in immune response among sexes and pathogens provide important insights and identification of areas for further research. Conclusions This information can aid in future development of inclusive, targeted, safe, and effective treatments and control measures for these neglected diseases and other infectious diseases.
Amentoflavone Impedes NF-κB Activation and Mediates Apoptosis Induction in Lung Cancer Cells: An in vitro and in silico exploration Syed Faiyaz, Afza Ahmad, Daniya Fatima, Syed Shahid, Gaurav Kaushik, Chaitenya Verma, Rohit Tiwari, Vinay Kumar Journal of Inflammation Research, 2025 Context: Lung carcinoma is a major contributor to cancer incidence and mortality worldwide. Chronic activation of NF-κB triggers activation of its target genes involved in promoting malignancy, metastasis, irregular proliferation of cells, and/or their resistance to programmed cell death. Amentoflavone (AMF) is a biflavonoid with intrinsic ability to modulate key signaling pathways associated with homeostatic and non-homeostatic conditions impels its exploration as therapeutic candidate against non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) A549 cells. Objective: This study investigates the anticancer potential of AMF in A549 cells, focusing on its unique dual role in NF-κB suppression and apoptosis induction, and compares its efficacy to the standard drug doxorubicin. Materials and Methods: A549 cells were treated with varying concentrations of AMF for 24 h. The effects of AMF on cell proliferation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial membrane potential, caspase activation, apoptosis, and NF-κB activation was analyzed. Results: A549 cell viability was substantially reduced (P < 0.001) at an AMF concentration of 60 µM. AMF exposure further increased nuclear fragmentation and condensation in A549 cells. AMF treatment induced apoptosis with concomitant augmentation intracellular production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential, and activation of the caspase cascade. Additionally, AMF mediated the inhibition of NF-κB and modulated the expression of NF-κB-associated genes involved in cell survival (Bcl-XL, Bcl-2, and survivin) and proliferation (cyclinD1). These results were further supported by in silico studies, which demonstrated a considerable binding energy score of AMF with NF-κB p65/50 compared with the standard drug (doxorubicin). Conclusion: Thus, it was concluded that AMF exerts potent anticancer effects in NSCLC A549 cells through dual mechanism such as direct inhibition of NF-κB signaling and apoptosis induction combined with its high binding affinity, positions it as a promising therapeutic candidate for NSCLC. Further preclinical studies are warranted to validate these findings.
Challenges and Opportunities of Gene Therapy in Cancer Milky Mittal, Annu Kumari, Bhashkar Paul, Adya Varshney, Bhavya ., Ashok Saini, Chaitenya Verma, Indra Mani Obm Genetics, 2024 Gene therapy involves either the direct introduction of genetic material (DNA or RNA) into the host cell (or organ), known as <em>in vivo</em> gene therapy, the re-introduction of the modified target cells taken out of the host, or <em>ex vivo</em> gene therapy. Cancer is mainly caused by the non-functioning of genes required for normal cell proliferation, and it has emerged as the leading cause of death globally due to the absence of efficient and safe therapies as well as early diagnostic modalities. Therapeutic trials using gene therapy have shown that they considerably increase the survival rate and life expectancy of patients with cancer. There are many potential strategies for the treatment of cancer using gene therapy currently being used, including (a) expressing a gene to induce apoptosis or increase tumor sensitivity to conventional drug/radiation therapy; (b) inserting a wild-type tumor suppressor gene to compensate for its loss/deregulation; (c) blocking the expression of an oncogene using an antisense (RNA/DNA) approach; and (d) enhancing tumor immunogenicity to stimulate immune cell reactivity. Gene therapy can employ many different genes, including anti-angiogenesis, any suicidal gene, immunotherapeutic gene, siRNA gene, pro-apoptotic gene, oncolytic gene, and gene-directed enzyme prodrug. Moreover, with advancements in gene transfer technologies, various kinds of new treatment strategies have been developed that complement conventional therapies used to treat cancer that are used to modify the DNA directly, such as zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9), etc. Even though there has been a lot of progress in pre-clinical research in both better targeting and expression in a tumor-selective way, there are still a lot of problems that need to be fixed before it can be used in humans. These problems include non-specific expression, low-efficiency delivery, and biosafety. This review will highlight gene therapy's current challenges and future opportunities in cancer treatment.
Centrin-deficient Leishmania mexicana confers protection against New World cutaneous leishmaniasis Greta Volpedo, Thalia Pacheco-Fernandez, Erin A. Holcomb, Wen-Wei Zhang, Patrick Lypaczewski, Blake Cox, Rebecca Fultz, Chelsea Mishan, Chaitenya Verma, Ryan H. Huston, Abigail R. Wharton, Ranadhir Dey, Subir Karmakar, Steve Oghumu, Shinjiro Hamano, Sreenivas Gannavaram, Hira L. Nakhasi, Greg Matlashewski, Abhay R. Satoskar Npj Vaccines, 2022
Microneedle-based injection of Fungizone/Amphotericin B: an effective treatment for American cutaneous leishmaniasis in mice RH Huston, B Cox, C Verma, T Pacheco-Fernandez, G Volpedo, MJ Dar, ... Drug Delivery 33 (1), 2665882 , 2026 2026
Prognostic Significance and Immune Correlation of CCL3 Expression in Colon Adenocarcinoma: Insights From Multidatabase Analysis V Kumar, NH Khan, SN Kumar, N Mahajan, W Aziz, V Kumar, C Verma Biochemistry Research International 2026 (1), 6647501 , 2026 2026
Ethics in Laboratory Diagnostics: Perspectives and Challenges G Kaushik, R Vashishtha, C Verma Allied Healthcare in Practice, 603-619 , 2026 2026
DNA Methylation in Lung Cancer: Predictive Biomarkers for Effective Immunotherapy K Kumari, V Kumar, C Verma, PC Hsu, A Singh International Journal of General Medicine, 7893-7910 , 2025 2025
Amentoflavone Impedes NF-κB Activation and Mediates Apoptosis Induction in Lung Cancer Cells: An in vitro and in silico exploration SSM Faiyaz, A Ahmad, D Fatima, SMA Shahid, G Kaushik, C Verma, ... Journal of Inflammation Research, 8657-8673 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Optimising Platelet Rich Plasma Preparation: Investigating the Effects of Temperature on platelet viability and growth factor release PC Mishra, SK Gupta, SK Jha, RS Sharma, M Arora, C Verma Vascular and Endovascular Review 8 (7s), 127-133 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Comparative Evaluation of Polyethyleneimine Functionalized Magnetic Iron-Oxide Nanoparticle-Based Method, Phenol–Chloroform Method, and Qiagen Kit-Based Method for Isolation of … I Khan, G Kaushik, C Verma, R Vashishtha, NH Khan, V Kumar BioNanoScience 15 (3), 348 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Polyethyleneimine-functionalized iron oxide nanoparticle-based method for isolation of Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) from saliva samples in forensic investigations I Khan, G Kaushik, C Verma, V Kumar, R Vashishtha Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences 15 (1), 9 , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
Suppressive effects of toll-like receptor 2, toll-like receptor 4, and toll-like receptor 7 on protective responses to Mycobacterium bovis BCG from epithelial cells A Singh, A Singh, SSK Saraswati, AK Rana, A Singh, C Verma, V Sinha, ... Microbes and Infection 27 (2), 105428 , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
Understanding Sex-biases in Kinetoplastid Infections: Leishmaniasis & Trypanosomiasis O Battistoni, RH Huston, C Verma, T Pacheco-Fernandez, ... Expert Reviews in Molecular Medicine, 1-46 , 2025 2025 Citations: 5
Optimization of binding buffer composition (polyethylene glycol, sodium chloride and pH) for extraction of DNA from biological fluids using polyethyleneimine functionalized … I Khan, G Kaushik, C Verma, R Vashishtha, V Kumar Nanotechnology, Science and Applications, 247-258 , 2024 2024 Citations: 6
Evolution of Hematobiochemical Profiles in Newly Diagnosed HIV Patients and HIV-TB Co-Infected Patients: Correlation with Immunological and Virological Status NH Khan, C Verma, MMA Beg, SN Kumar, G Kaushik, H Ahmad, ... ImmunoTargets and Therapy, 691-705 , 2024 2024 Citations: 2
Revolutionizing immunotherapy: unveiling new horizons, confronting challenges, and navigating therapeutic frontiers in CAR-T Cell-Based gene therapies S Srivastava, A Tyagi, VA Pawar, NH Khan, K Arora, C Verma, V Kumar ImmunoTargets and Therapy, 413-433 , 2024 2024 Citations: 10
Genetic variation in Toll-Like Receptors (TLRs) 2, 4, and 9 influences HIV disease progression toward active TB and AIDS G Kaushik, R Vashishtha, C Verma, S Sharma, V Kumar Journal of Inflammation Research, 3283-3291 , 2024 2024 Citations: 2
Chloroplast Genomics and Their Uses in Crop Improvement A Mathuria, A Chaudhary, Mehak, H Sharma, S Singla, C Verma, A Saini, ... Advances in Genomics: Methods and Applications, 331-356 , 2024 2024 Citations: 2
Metatranscriptomics, Metaproteomics, and Metabolomics Approaches for Microbiome Characterization A Mathuria, K Jain, A Saini, C Verma, I Mani Multi-Omics Analysis of the Human Microbiome: From Technology to Clinical … , 2024 2024 Citations: 7
Metatranscriptomics, Metaproteomics, and Metabolomics Approaches C Verma, I Mani Multi-Omics Analysis of the Human Microbiome: From Technology to Clinical … , 2024 2024
Challenges and Opportunities of Gene Therapy in Cancer MI Mittal M, Kumari A, Paul B, Varshney A, Bhavya, Saini A, Verma C OBM Genetics (Gene Therapy on Cancer) 8 (1), 1-50 , 2024 2024 Citations: 13
Butyrate induces oxidative burst mediated apoptosis via Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PDH) in macrophages during mycobacterial infection AK Rana, SSK Saraswati, V Anang, A Singh, A Singh, C Verma, ... Microbes and Infection 26 (3), 105271 , 2024 2024 Citations: 8
Critical Roles of Micro-RNAs in the Pathogenesis and Immunoregulation of Leishmania Infection C Verma, RH Huston, AR Wharton, R Fultz, S Zidan, G Volpedo, ... Challenges and Solutions Against Visceral Leishmaniasis, 183-212 , 2024 2024 Citations: 2
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Ibrutinib treatment inhibits breast cancer progression and metastasis by inducing conversion of myeloid-derived suppressor cells to dendritic cells S Varikuti, B Singh, G Volpedo, DK Ahirwar, BK Jha, N Saljoughian, ... British Journal of Cancer 122 (7), 1005-1013 , 2020 2020 Citations: 83
Cancer vaccines in the immunotherapy era: promise and potential C Verma, VA Pawar, S Srivastava, A Tyagi, G Kaushik, SK Shukla, ... Vaccines 11 (12), 1783 , 2023 2023 Citations: 49
Centrin -deficient Leishmania mexicana confers protection against New World cutaneous leishmaniasis G Volpedo, T Pacheco-Fernandez, EA Holcomb, WW Zhang, ... NPJ vaccines 7 (1), 32 , 2022 2022 Citations: 42
Understanding the immune responses involved in mediating protection or immunopathology during leishmaniasis T Pacheco-Fernandez, G Volpedo, C Verma, AR Satoskar Biochemical Society Transactions , 2021 2021 Citations: 31
MicroRNA-21 deficiency promotes the early Th1 immune response and resistance toward visceral leishmaniasis S Varikuti, C Verma, E Holcomb, BK Jha, A Viana, R Maryala, F Lamenza, ... The Journal of Immunology 207 (5), 1322-1332 , 2021 2021 Citations: 30
Dual-scRNA-seq analysis reveals rare and uncommon parasitized cell populations in chronic L. donovani infection K Karagiannis, S Gannavaram, C Verma, T Pacheco-Fernandez, ... Cell Reports 42 (9) , 2023 2023 Citations: 25
Role of lymphocytes, macrophages and immune receptors in suppression of tumor immunity A Singh, V Anang, K Kumari, SK Kottarath, C Verma Progress in Molecular Biology and Translational Science 194, 269-310 , 2023 2023 Citations: 24
MicroRNA155 plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of cutaneous Leishmania major infection by promoting a Th2 response and attenuating dendritic cell activity S Varikuti, C Verma, G Natarajan, S Oghumu, AR Satoskar The American Journal of Pathology 191 (5), 809-816 , 2021 2021 Citations: 23
Field-deployable treatments for leishmaniasis: intrinsic challenges, recent developments and next steps T Pacheco-Fernandez, H Markle, C Verma, R Huston, S Gannavaram, ... Research and Reports in Tropical Medicine, 61-85 , 2023 2023 Citations: 21
Folate receptor-β targeted cholesterol-chitosan nanocarrier for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: An animal study SK Kottarath, M Bhat, C Verma, S Bhattacharya, A Kaul, U Kumar, ... Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology 60, 101946 , 2020 2020 Citations: 18
Centrin-deficient Leishmania mexicana confers protection against New World cutaneous leishmaniasis. NPJ Vaccines 7, 32 G Volpedo, T Pacheco-Fernandez, EA Holcomb, WW Zhang, ... 2022 Citations: 14
Deciphering the role of calcium homeostasis in T cells functions during mycobacterial infection A Singh, V Anang, AK Rana, C Verma, SSK Saraswati, P Kumari, A Singh, ... Cellular Immunology 357, 104198 , 2020 2020 Citations: 14
Challenges and Opportunities of Gene Therapy in Cancer MI Mittal M, Kumari A, Paul B, Varshney A, Bhavya, Saini A, Verma C OBM Genetics (Gene Therapy on Cancer) 8 (1), 1-50 , 2024 2024 Citations: 13
Unlocking therapeutic potential: integration of drug repurposing and immunotherapy for various disease targeting VA Pawar, A Tyagi, C Verma, KP Sharma, S Ansari, I Mani, SK Srivastva, ... American Journal of Translational Research 15 (8), 4984 , 2023 2023 Citations: 12
Immunization with a Trypanosoma cruzi cyclophilin-19 deletion mutant protects against acute Chagas disease in mice BK Jha, S Varikuti, C Verma, R Shivahare, N Bishop, GP Dos Santos, ... npj Vaccines 8 (1), 63 , 2023 2023 Citations: 12
An introduction to microbial genomic islands for evolutionary adaptation and pathogenicity A Saini, I Mani, MK Rawal, C Verma, V Singh, SK Mishra Microbial genomic islands in adaptation and pathogenicity, 1-15 , 2023 2023 Citations: 11
Bcl2 negatively regulates Protective Immune Responses During Mycobacterial Infection A Singh, V Anang, C Verma, SSK Saraswati, AK Rana, U Bandyopadhyay, ... Biomolecular Concepts 12 (1), 94-109 , 2021 2021 Citations: 11
Transcriptional co-expression regulatory network analysis for Snail and Slug identifies IL1R1, an inflammatory cytokine receptor, to be preferentially expressed in ST-EPN-RELA … PB Malgulwar, V Sharma, AS Tomar, C Verma, A Nambirajan, M Singh, ... Oncotarget 9 (84), 35480 , 2018 2018 Citations: 11
Revolutionizing immunotherapy: unveiling new horizons, confronting challenges, and navigating therapeutic frontiers in CAR-T Cell-Based gene therapies S Srivastava, A Tyagi, VA Pawar, NH Khan, K Arora, C Verma, V Kumar ImmunoTargets and Therapy, 413-433 , 2024 2024 Citations: 10
Dissecting role of founder mutation p. V727M in GNE in Indian HIBM cohort S Attri, V Sharma, A Kumar, C Verma, SK Gahlawat Open Medicine 16 (1), 1733-1744 , 2021 2021 Citations: 10
