About

Mauricio Rojas, MD, is a Professor and Vice Chair of Research in the Department of Internal Medicine at Ohio State College of Medicine. He received his undergraduate medical degree from the National University of Colombia and completed postdoctoral training in Immunology at the Institute of Immunology in Colombia and Vanderbilt University. His research interests focus on stem cells and acute and chronic respiratory distress syndrome, with a particular emphasis on lung repair mechanisms and lung aging as factors influencing vulnerability to lung diseases. Rojas has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Pulmonary Star Award from Emory University, the Dorothy Dillon Ewason Lecture Award from the American Federation of Aging, and the Established Investigator Award from the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. He has co-founded the Stem Cell Working Group and the Aging Working Group, which he chaired at the University of Pittsburgh, and has contributed significantly to advancing research in lung diseases through innovative approaches in stem cell biology and aging. His ongoing projects include exploring the functional consequences of age-related exhaustion and senescence of mesenchymal cells and developing human preclinical models for lung therapies.

Research topics

• Pathology
• Immunology
• Biology
• Medicine
• Genetics
• Virology
• Internal medicine

Selected publications

• SpaFlow depicts the dynamics of ligand-receptor interaction in spatial transcriptomics data

  bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · 2026-04-21

  articleOpen access

  Abstract Spatial transcriptomics (ST) enables the study of cell-cell communication in native tissue context, but current methods for the ligand-receptor interaction (LRI) inference generally rely on static, distance-based assumptions. Here we present SpaFlow, a reaction-diffusion framework that models ligand diffusion, binding, dissociation, production and degradation to infer spatially resolved LRI activity and hotspots from ST data. Across paired 10x Visium and CosMx metastatic renal cell carcinoma datasets, SpaFlow outperformed existing methods in recovering spatially coherent LRIs, with inferred LRI activity showing stronger association with downstream signaling. In hepatocellular carcinoma after neoadjuvant immunotherapy, SpaFlow identified CXCL12-CXCR4 hotspots enriched at immune-rich tumor boundaries in responders. In aging mouse heart, SpaFlow resolved niche-specific pro-fibrotic and senescence-associated signaling, highlighting Postn-Itgav/Itgb5 as an additional pro-fibrotic axis and Angptl2-Pirb as a candidate mediator of inter-niche senescence-related communication. In human idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis lung, SpaFlow localized CXCL12-CXCR4 signaling between adventitial fibroblasts and CD4 T cells, CD8 T cells, and B cells in the fibrotic surrounding regions. Together, SpaFlow provides a physically informed framework for quantifying spatially constrained cell-cell communication and mechanistically interpreting signaling patterns in complex tissues.

  PublisherDOI

• Relationship of Breed and Seminal Quality With Protamination and <scp>DNA</scp> Integrity of Bovine Spermatozoa

  Reproduction in Domestic Animals · 2025-04-01

  article

  During spermatogenesis, most histones are replaced by protamines in the process known as protamination. Protamine deficiency is one of the factors that contribute to DNA instability and damage, which can affect the fertility of bulls. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship of breed and seminal quality with the protamination and DNA integrity of bovine sperm. A total of 30 semen samples from five Guzerat bulls and five Blanco Orejinegro (BON) bulls were used. Motility and kinematics were evaluated with a CASA system, morphology by eosin-nigrosin staining and membrane integrity with the HOST test. DNA integrity, viability and protamination deficiency were assessed by flow cytometry (IP/CMA3). Linear models, correlation analysis and comparison of means by Tukey test were performed. The proportion of viable protaminated sperm (CMA3-negative) for BON and Guzerat was 78.9% ± 1.4% and 73.8% ± 3.1%, respectively (p < 0.05). DNA fragmentation was 0.60% ± 0.06% for BON and 0.34% ± 0.04% for Guzerat (p < 0.05) and was negatively correlated with protamination (-0.18, p < 0.01). Positive correlations of protaminated viable spermatozoa with total motility (0.68), progressive motility (0.66), membrane integrity (0.52), rapid sperm (0.71), average path velocity (0.44), linear (0.34) and curvilinear (0.54) velocities were found (p < 0.001). Protamination of bovine sperm correlates with semen quality and is influenced by bull breed.

  PublisherDOI

• 111 Toxic shock syndrome in a case of group a streptococcal pneumonia

  The American Journal of the Medical Sciences · 2025-01-15

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Abstract 4369350: Understanding the spatial and temporal regulation of the β _IV -spectrin/STAT3 complex in ischemic cardiac remodeling with spatial transcriptomics

  Circulation · 2025-11-03

  article

  Adverse fibrotic remodeling contributes to high morbidity and mortality in patients following myocardial infarction (MI). Healing after MI requires necrotic tissue to be cleared and replaced with fibrosis, which is driven by the coordinated effort of several distinct cardiac cell populations, including myocytes, immune cells, and cardiac fibroblasts (CFs). While a myriad of stimuli driving fibrotic remodeling post-MI have been identified, the contribution of specific cell populations to the signaling cascade and how these communication networks are tuned in response to chronic stress remains unclear. The cytoskeletal protein, β IV -spectrin, coordinates a signaling complex with the transcription factor, STAT3 to modulate CF activation and profibrotic signaling. Specifically, stress-induced loss of β IV -spectrin promotes subcellular redistribution and activation of STAT3 in CFs that increases secretion of profibrotic and proinflammatory factors. Mice expressing degradation-resistant β IV -spectrin ( qv 3J ) show increased mortality and incidence of cardiac rupture within the first week after permanent occlusion of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery. Histology at 7 days post-MI shows improper scar formation with incomplete clearance compared to WT. Therefore, we hypothesized that stress-induced loss of β IV -spectrin in CFs coordinates spatial and temporal regulation of multiple cardiac cell populations to ensure proper healing. In this study, we subjected WT and qv 3J mice to MI and assessed cardiac function and survival through 28 days and performed spatial transcriptomics at 7 days. Cell-type deconvolution from spatial transcriptomics analysis revealed dramatic differences in CF populations, with a decrease in the Cthrc1 CF population in qv 3J hearts compared to WT. A STAT3-dependent fibroblast trajectory was identified that originates from vascular smooth muscle cells and progresses to Chtrc1 CF population in WT hearts, while qv 3J fibroblast trajectory diverged into a more senescent-like state. The border zone in qv 3J hearts showed a congregation of immune cells and fibroblasts that could not infiltrate the infarct zone, leading to high concentrations of MMPs at the location where rupture occurs in these mice. Aberrant CXCL12 signaling was observed in qv 3J mice, explaining the lack of infarct zone infiltration. Our work identifies a novel role for spectrin-based STAT3 regulation in facilitating spatial and temporal remodeling in response to ischemic stress.

  PublisherDOI

• EXTRACELLULAR VESICLES FROM LUPUS NEPHRITIS PATIENTS INDUCE CHANGES IN THE TRANSCRIPTIONAL PROFILE OF MONOCYTES THAT RESEMBLE SLAN+ MONOCYTES

  The Journal of Rheumatology · 2025-05-20

  articleOpen access

  PV114 / #325 Poster Topic: AS12 - Genetics, Epigenetics, Transcriptomics Background/Purpose Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) are a source of autoantigens that can be recognized by circulating monocytes and can also form immune complexes. Lupus nephritis (LN) is the most frequent and severe manifestation in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Renal injury is attributed to the deposition of immune complexes in the glomerulus. SLAN+ monocytes, a fraction of non-classical monocytes considered the most inflammatory, have been detected in renal tissue. We analyzed the transcriptional profile and functional characteristics of monocytes and SLAN+/- monocyte fractions circulating in patients with LN and controls. Additionally, we studied the effect of EVs from the plasma of patients on the transcriptional profile of the SLAN- fraction. Methods We included 3 active LN female patients who meet the American College of Rheumatology/European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology 2019 diagnosis criteria, with lupus nephritis confirmed by kidney biopsy following the International Society of Nephrology/Renal Pathology Society (ISN/RPS) parameters and in the initial phase of treatment and 3 healthy female donors (HD) of similar age in the study. Circulating monocytes SLAN+/- were purified from peripheral blood using FACS sorting. EVs were isolated from plasma using a differential centrifugation protocol. The SLAN- fraction was seeded with the isolated EVs for 6 hours. RNA from circulating monocyte SLAN+/- fractions and post-EV incubation samples was extracted using a commercial column kit. Transcriptomes were assessed by next-generation RNA sequencing on the Illumina Novaseq platform. Differential expression analysis was performed using the DESeq2 package. GeneCodis, GeneAnalytics, and GSEA platforms were employed for functional enrichment analysis of the most significant and differentially expressed genes (p-adj &lt; 0.05 and FC &gt; 1) between SLAN+/- fractions and to explore the effect of the EVs on the transcriptional profile of SLAN- monocytes. Results Gene expression profiling of monocytes from patients identified 51 genes that were differentially expressed between SLAN+ and SLAN-fractions. The SLAN+ monocytes from LN patients exhibited significant molecular changes, reflecting an inflammatory profile and pathways related to cell adhesion and differentiation. In contrast, the SLAN- fraction demonstrated a strong response to IFN-I. Additionally, EVs from LN patients prompted the SLAN- fraction from healthy donors to express 206 genes associated with an inflammatory profile and enriched SLAN+ signature, indicating differentiation potential. Conclusions These findings highlight the pathogenic potential of SLAN+ monocytes and EVs in lupus nephritis, suggesting they may serve as therapeutic targets. By altering the transcriptional profile of monocytes, EVs from LN patients could contribute to disease progression and inflammation. Targeting these pathways may offer new strategies for intervention in lupus nephritis.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Wheat germ agglutinin-nanoparticles encapsulating itacitinib target and suppress pro-inflammatory slan+ monocytes

  Nanomedicine · 2025-04-28

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  BACKGROUND: 6-sulfoLacNAc (slan)+ monocytes, a non-classical monocyte subset, play a pro-inflammatory role in autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This study evaluates the therapeutic potential of itacitinib (ITA) encapsulated in wheat germ agglutinin-functionalized nanoparticles (WGA/F127/PNPs) to target and inhibit the JAK-STAT pathway in slan+ monocytes. METHODS: = 50) were used to assess slan+ monocyte phenotypes. Co-cultures of slan+ and slan- monocytes stimulated with LPS revealed that slan+ monocytes significantly increased HLA-DR expression. RESULTS: < 0.001) and that slan+ monocytes effectively internalized WGA/F127/PNPs, unlike slan- cells. ITA-loaded nanoparticles decreased HLA-DR, CD69, and CD86 expression, STAT1 phosphorylation, and cytokine production in IFN-γ-stimulated slan+ monocytes. Findings support WGA/F127/PNPs as a promising drug delivery system for targeting slan+ monocytes, providing new therapeutic potential for SLE. CONCLUSION: ITA-loaded WGA/F127/PNPs effectively target and suppress pro-inflammatory slan+ monocytes, presenting a promising, cell-specific therapeutic approach for managing systemic lupus erythematosus and related autoimmune disorders.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Revitalizando las terapias en enfermedades autoinmunes: Nanopartículas como alternativa de tratamiento

  Actualidades Biológicas · 2025-01-01

  articleOpen access

  Las enfermedades autoinmunes son trastornos complejos caracterizados por una respuesta inmune anormal. En estas enfermedades, el sistema inmune identifica erróneamente diferentes componentes del propio organismo como extraños, lo que provoca inflamación crónica y daño en múltiples sistemas de órganos y tejidos. Los tratamientos actuales suelen implicar el uso de fármacos inmunosupresores que suprimen ampliamente la respuesta del sistema inmune. Aunque estos medicamentos pueden ayudar a aminorar los síntomas, también conlleva importantes efectos secundarios debido a su naturaleza inespecífica. La nanotecnología, a través de la nanomedicina, juega un papel crucial en el tratamiento de estas enfermedades, mejorando la eficacia terapéutica de los fármacos y minimizando su toxicidad. Esta tecnología permite mejorar la biodisponibilidad de los medicamentos, una distribución más precisa en el cuerpo y un control más exacto sobre la liberación de los fármacos. Las nanopartículas (NP) son fundamentales en este proceso, capaces de superar barreras biológicas y dirigir los medicamentos directamente a los sitios afectados, lo que aumenta su eficacia y reduce los efectos secundarios. Este enfoque es especialmente prometedor en el tratamiento de enfermedades autoinmunes y cáncer, donde las NP pueden dirigirse a células específicas, como los macrófagos, los monocitos, células dendríticas y linfocitos B, para entregar tratamientos de manera más efectiva, con menos toxicidad y efectos adversos. La investigación en nanotecnología continúa avanzando, ofreciendo esperanza para tratamientos más efectivos y personalizados.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Factors Associated with Technology Learning and STEM Vocations in High School—The Case of Technovation Chile

  The Educational Review USA · 2025-05-28

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  This study explores key factors associated with the development of technological thinking and preferences for STEM-related occupations among high school students in Chile, within the context of the Technovation program. We focus on three central indicators, which reflect on the main goals of the program: conceptual understanding of technology, systems thinking (defined as the ability to approach problems through logic and structured reasoning), and occupational preferences in STEM fields. Using pre- and post-program survey data, we assess the evolution of these indicators: while gender gaps persist in STEM career preferences, the program contributes to narrowing conceptual and systems thinking gaps. Also, our results indicate that students with stronger academic performance and higher problem-solving disposition tend to perform better in both technological dimensions, according to the pre-program survey data. The same factors, plus “evaluation of the Teamwork experience”, play a key role in the improvement of most of these indicators, comparing the trajectories between initial and closing performance.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Characterizing Cellular Heterogeneity and Transcriptomic Features of Senotype Using Deep Graph Representation Learning

  bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · 2025-07-04

  preprintOpen access

  ABSTRACT Cellular senescence is a primordial driver of tissue and organ aging, and the accumulation of senescent cells (SnCs) has been implicated in numerous age-related diseases. A major barrier to studying senescence is the rarity and heterogeneity of SnCs, which are not a uniform population but instead comprise diverse senotypes shaped by cell-of-origin and microenvironmental context. Such heterogeneity exceeds what classical senescence hallmarks can resolve at single-cell resolution, motivating the need for computational frameworks that can capture senotype-level diversity intrinsically. Here, we introduce DeepSAS, a deep graph representation learning framework that robustly identifies cell-type-specific SnCs and their senescence-associated genes (SnGs). DeepSAS incorporates a heterogeneous graph that integrates intracellular transcriptional states with intercellular communication cues, enabling the joint inference of senescent cells and senescence-linked genes through attention-based contrastive learning. Applied to public healthy eye and lung atlases, DeepSAS identified SnCs whose proportions positively correlate with aging. From in-house idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patient scRNA-seq data, DeepSAS detected 1,678 SnCs (out of 24,125 cells) and 263 SnGs across 26 cell types, including 43 SnGs that are uniquely associated with a single cell type. We generated high-resolution Xenium spatial transcriptomics data to further validate SnGs in IPF, revealing NFE2L2 as a SnG specifically enriched in CTHRC1 + fibroblasts. Notably, the ex vivo bleomycin-induced senescence in human precision-cut lung slice (hPCLS) samples similarly identified NFE2L2 as an SnG in CTHRC1 + fibroblasts, albeit with stronger transcriptional signals, suggesting mechanistic differences in senescence cells associated with chronic and acute injury. Overall, DeepSAS uncovers distinct senescence programs and infers cell-type-specific SnGs that are difficult to resolve using existing marker-based approaches. We believe it offers a generalizable and translationally relevant strategy for advancing senescence biology and therapeutic development.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Extracellular vesicles and mononuclear phagocyte axis: Interactions shaping immune responses

  International Reviews of Immunology · 2025-10-03 · 1 citations

  article

  Extracellular vesicles (EVs), nano-sized particles enclosed by a lipid membrane, play a pivotal role in cell-to-cell communication as essential mediators in various biological processes and diseases. Despite their ability to interact with multiple targets, EVs notably demonstrate a high affinity for specialized cells within the extracellular environment, particularly mononuclear phagocytes. The interaction between EVs and mononuclear phagocytes significantly affects the profile of these cells. Several factors, including vesicle cargo, size, parental cell origin, involved receptors, and the specific endocytic pathway, influence EVs' consequences and subsequent responses. Key components of mononuclear phagocytes, monocytes and macrophages, play a crucial role in the innate immune system, contributing to tissue damage, repair, remodeling, inflammation, homeostasis maintenance, and disease progression. Despite extensive research on EVs in various health and disease contexts, their precise impact on mononuclear phagocytes remains incompletely understood. Therefore, this review explores EVs' role in modulating monocyte and macrophage profiles and functions across different scenarios. It emphasizes that EVs actively shape the phenotype of these mononuclear phagocytes to maintain homeostasis and regulatory functions, but also induce pro-inflammatory polarization in infectious diseases, systemic inflammation, and autoimmunity. Simultaneously, during neoplastic or tumor development, the EV-mononuclear phagocyte axis prompts imbalanced responses, combining pro- and anti-inflammatory outcomes. These findings confirm EVs as promising tools for therapeutic strategies to modulate mononuclear phagocyte functions in diverse pathological settings.

  PublisherDOI

Recent grants

• NIH Grant K01HL08468302

  NIH · $128k · 2012

• Aging of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Missing Link in IPF

  NIH · $1.4M · 2015–2020

• NIH Grant K01HL084683

  NIH · $522k · 2012

• Cell Therapy for the Treatment of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

  NIH · $968k · 2016–2019

Frequent coauthors

• Nageswara R. Madamanchi

  51 shared

• Aleksandr E. Vendrov

  Michigan Medicine

  51 shared

• Marschall S. Runge

  Michigan Medicine

  51 shared

• Chaitanya Madamanchi

  Michigan Medicine

  51 shared

• Ralf P. Brandes

  German Centre for Cardiovascular Research

  50 shared

• K G Burnand

  50 shared

• Luis F. García

  Universidad de Antioquia

  50 shared

• Alberto Smith

  Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

  50 shared

Education

• Biologist, Biology

  Universidad de Antioquia

• PhD, Basic Biomedical Sciences Academic Corporation

  Universidad de Antioquía

  1999

• MSc Immunology, Basic Biomedical Sciences Academic Corporation

  Universidad de Antioquía

  1995

Awards & honors

• Pulmonary Star Award from Emory University in 2007
• Early Career Award from the Department of Medicine in 2009
• Dorothy Dillon Ewason Lecture Award from the American Federa…
• Established Investigator Award from the Pulmonary Fibrosis F…
• Faculty Translation Award from the Division of Pulmonary at…