Translational Human Studies in Lung Immunology

Our lab has developed a translational research program that recruits human subjects to study the pathogenesis of various inflammatory lung diseases. The program was initially focused on defining the mechanisms of T cell recruitment and activation in the lungs of human subjects with allergic asthma, HIV and COPD, and after lung transplantation. More recently we have begun studies focused on defining the innate immune cell profile and changes in epithelial cell functions in the human lung in health and disease. Samples are obtained from human subjects using bronchoalveolar lavage and airway brushings, and the samples are studied using advanced flow cytometry, CyTOF, RNA sequencing and in vitro cellular assays. The subjects are further classified using advanced imaging techniques such as HRCT-PET and optical coherence tomography to better define their pulmonary anatomy and physiology.