Lung Epithelial Barrier Function and Allergic Disease
The
lung epithelial barrier plays an important role in protecting the airways
against inhaled particles, allergens and microorganisms. Our recent proteomic analyses of type
II epithelial cells identified a subfamily of lipid (phosphatidylcholine)
transport proteins (Stard2, Stard7 and Stard10) that appear to be novel inhibitors
of allergic disease. We generated knockout mice for Stard7 and Stard10 and
demonstrated that these animals display highly exaggerated lung disease when
challenged with allergen. Importantly, loss
of Stard7 expression was also associated with exaggerated allergic responses in
the skin and intestine. The goals of this new project are to identify molecular
pathways that underlie the “protective” function of Stard7, Stard10, and/or Stard2
with the long-term goal of uncovering novel therapeutic targets for allergic
diseases.