To Characterize Immune Responses to Aspergillus fumigatus

Kieren Marr, MD

Research Initiatives

1.  Our studies have shown that Aspergillus fumigatus conidia and hyphae stimulate macrophages to secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines differently.  Inflammatory responses of hyphae stimulate TNF-  production independent of the TLR-MyD88 cell signaling pathway.  Studies are ongoing to define inflammatory components of Aspergillus fumigatus, and characterize the role of non-MyD88 macrophage signaling pathways.

2.  T cell mediated immunity to Aspergillus.  Preliminary studies suggest that Aspergillus-specific T cell defects increases the risk for aspergillosis.  Studies are ongoing to determine the role of T cell mediated immunity in the development of post-engraftment aspergillosis.

Publications

1. Marr KA, Balajee SA, Hawn TR, Ozinksy A, Pham U, Akira S, Aderem A, Liles WC.  Differential role of My D88 in macrophage-mediated responses to oppportunistic fungal pathogens.  Infect and Immunity 2003, in press

      2.  Marr KA, Khodadoust M, Black M, Balajee SA.  Early events in macrophage killing of Aspergillus    

          fumigatus comdia: development of a new flow cytometric variality assay.  Clin Lab Immunol, 8(6): 1240-

          7.  2001