Mechanisms
Bacteria in the lungs induce innate immune responses including neutrophil recruitment and plasma extravasation, which are mediated by the coordinated expression of diverse genes including adhesion molecules, chemokines, and cytokines. This gene expression program is controlled by transcription factors. Our research is elucidating mechanisms regulating these innate immune responses to bacteria in the lungs.
The molecules that regulate innate immunity in the lungs differ for different bacterial stimuli. Shown above are pneumococcus bacteria growing on a blood-agar plate.
