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Courses:
Cell and Molecular Biology (Bio 214),
Immunology (BIO 442/542), Virology (BIO 444/544)
Research
Interests: Allergy
and Inflammation
Mast cells are critical participants in allergic
disorders
(e.g. anaphylaxis, asthma, hay fever) and in host defense against
certain
parasites. Following immunological activation in tissues, these cells
release
histamine and a variety of biologically active proteins that contribute
to many of the characteristic signs and symptoms of these diseases. The
research activities of this laboratory are focused on the cellular and
molecular biology of mast cells and on proteins that contribute to
allergies
and inflammation called interleukins. One of the best ways to study the
biological function of proteins thought to be involved in mast cell
biology
and inflammation is to examine mice that have been genetically
engineered
to lack a functional copy of a particular gene. Accordingly, much of
the
research in this laboratory involves the use of 'knockout' mice
deficient
in interleukin-3 and/or the receptor for interleukin-4. Obviously,
understanding
the biology of mast cells and interleukins has therapeutic
implications.
From a more basic science perspective, these studies represent a
powerful
model system to examine fundamental mechanisms in immunobiology.
Selected
Publications:
K. Kimura, C.H. Song, A. Rastogi, G. Dranoff, S.J.
Galli & C.S. Lantz. 2006. Interleukin-3 and c-Kit/stem cell factor
are required for normal eosinophil responses in mice infected with Strongyloides venezuelensis. Laboratory
Investigation. 86: 987-996.
Neel, N.F., Creasy, B.M., Rankin, J.N., Pierce,
E.M., McCoy, M.E.,
Daner,
R.H., Fowler, J.A., Daniel, J.C., Lantz, C.S. 2004. Absence of
interleukin-3
does not affect the severity of local and systemic anaphylaxis but does
enhance eosinophil infliltration in a mouse model of allergic
peritonitis. Immunology Letters. 95: 37-44.
Shelburne, C.P., McCoy, M.E. (JMU student),
Piekorz, R., Sexl, V., Roh,
K-H., Jacobs-Helber, S.M., Gillespie, S.R., Bailey, D.P., Mirmonsef,
P.,
Mann, M.N., Kashyap, M., Wright, H.V., Chong, H.J., Bouton, L.A.,
Barnstein,
B., Ramirez, C.D., Bunting, K.D., Sawyer, S.T., Lantz, C.S., Ryan, J.J.
2003. Stat5 expression is critical for mast cell development and
survival. Blood.
102: 1290-1297.
Shelburne C.P., McCoy M.E. (JMU student), Piekorz,
R., Sexl V.V.,
Gillespie
S.R., Bailey D.P., Gharse A., Mirmonsef P., Mann M.N., Kashyap M.,
Wright
H.V., Chong H.J., Bouton L A., Ramirez C.D., Lantz C.S., Ryan J.J.
2002.
Stat5: an essential regulator of mast cell biology. Molecular
Immunology.
38: 1187-1191.
Lantz, C.S., Galli, S.J. 2001. Mast cell and
basophil development. In:
Zon, L., ed. Hematopoiesis: A Developmental Approach. Oxford
University
Press, New York, pp. 461-475.
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