Cell Signaling of Host Defense

National Institute Of Environmental Health Sciences

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

The Host Defense Group of the Laboratory of Respiratory Biology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, headed by Michael B. Fessler, MD now enters its 19th year at the NIEHS. Publications since the last annual report include: 1. A review article on the mechanisms by which mitochondrial nucleic acids induce inflammation during disease. 2. A collaborative report on mechanisms by which type I interferon enhances macrophage cytokine production through effects on peroxisomes. 3. A senior-author paper reporting new insights into how high-density lipoprotein lipids may impact heart disease in patients. 4. A senior-author pre-print on the role of the membrane protein Flotillin-2 in regulation of T cell receptor signaling strength and T cell functions 5. A collaborative pre-print paper reporting that Toll-like Receptor 5 impacts fibrotic lung disease in humans through effects on the lung microbiome. 6. A collaborative pre-print paper reporting the role of DGK, a lipid kinase, on T cell function. 7. An editorial commenting on a publication describing a novel role for type I interferon in increasing susceptibility to pneumonia. 8. A collaborative paper reporting a new method for measurement of carboxylic acids in cells. 9. A collaborative report that TAK1 kinase impacts macrophage host defense against infection through effects on mitochondria. Additional accomplishments since our last report include an invited presentation by Dr. Fessler at UCLA, induction of Dr. Fessler into the Association of American Physicians, and successful acquisition of by Dr. Fessler of a NIH-level research award for a research project on endogenous retroelements.