Many diseases involve disruption of our body’s natural defense systems. Immunopharmacology is the study of drugs designed to augment or modulate the immune system in disorders ranging from allergy, to cancer to HIV/AIDS. Moreover, such conditions now appear to involve critical interactions between the immune, hormonal and nervous systems that may explain why many neuroinflammatory conditions are worsened by stress. These include migraines and multiple sclerosis in the brain; eczema and psoriasis of the skin; interstitial cystitis in the bladder; irritable bowel syndrome in the intestine; and possibly unstable angina in the heart. Faculty in our department are investigating the pathophysiology of syndromes exacerbated by stress and lead to new forms of therapy. Their work also extends to models of neuroinflammatory syndromes as well as the design of test agents and relevant clinical trials. Scientists involved in these investigations include:

Dr. Richard M. Kream is investigating the involvement of the neuropeptide substance P (SP) in inflammatory processes and pain, such as the painful bladder disorder in interstitial cystitis. Experiments involve elucidating the role of SP and neurokinins, as well as the expression of their receptors on affected tissues.

Dr. Paul R. Skolnik’s current research interests include factors controlling HIV replication in monocytes, cytokine control of HIV-1 replication, and effects of HIV infection on nutrition and body composition. Dr. Skolnik has a RO1 award to study the effects of cytomegalovirus, cytokines, cytokine antagonists, and chemokines on HIV replication in the lung and blood.

Dr. Theoharis C. Theoharides is exploring the molecular basis of mast cell secretion and its inhibition. His group has cloned a protein, which appears to regulate stimulus secretion coupling when phosphorylated. Work on this topic also involves identification of the phosphorylation sites as well as the kinase involved. He also is studying the presence of corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) receptors and neuropeptide interactions involved in mast cell activation. This work involves why such conditions occur more often in women and studies the effect of sex hormones on mast cell reactivity to the action of neuropeptides.