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Affiliated Faculty |
Vincenzo Casolaro
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Asthma and Allergy Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Address:
5501 Hopkins Bayview Circle
Baltimore, MD 21224
Phone: (410) 550-2068
Fax: (410) 550-2090
E-mail: casolaro@jhmi.edu
Research Interest Statement
Gene regulation in the immune system
Pharmacologic regulation of T-cell effector functions
Current Projects
Our research has long been devoted to the study of the regulation of transcription of cytokine genes in polarized T cells and in basophils/mast cells. In particular, our laboratory is focused on the identification and pharmacological manipulation of factors uniquely involved in the regulation of the Th2 cytokines, interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13, at both the transcriptional and epigenetic levels. These include factors of the NF-ÿB/Rel family, especially p65 and p50, and of the novel family of Grainyhead-related proteins, including LBP-1c/LSF/CP2 and its related proteins, LBP-1a and -1d.
It is the aim of our laboratory to fully elucidate the mechanisms that account for polarized cytokine profiles in effector T helper cells. Our current studies are testing the central hypothesis that these processes depend to a large extent on the expression and function of LBP-1c/LSF/CP2, the balance of NF-ÿB molecular species, and the specific interactions of these proteins with other transcription factors, e.g. Yin Yang-1 and Bcl-3, and chromatin-modifying agents. Given the recognition of NF-ÿB and LBP-1c as effectors of the pathways conferring resistance to oxidative insults and apoptosis, parallel studies will be conducted to assess the regulation of these processes concomitant with the activation of T helper cell polarized responses.
Publications
Schroeder JT, Miura K, Kim HH, Sin A, Cianferoni A, Casolaro V. Selective expression of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT)-2/c1 in human basophils: evidence for involvement in IgE-mediated IL-4 generation. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2002; 109:507-13
Vonakis BM, Sora R, Langdon JM, Casolaro V, MacDonald SM. Inhibition of cytokine gene transcription by the human recombinant histamine releasing factor (HrHRF) in human T lymphocytes. J Immunol 2003; 171:3742-50
Saatian B., Yu X.Y., Lane A.P., Doyle T., Casolaro V., Spannhake E.W.: Expression of genes for B7-H3 and other T cell ligands by nasal epithelial cells during differentiation and activation. American Journal of Physiology: Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology 2004; 287:L217-L225.
Georas S.N., Guo J., De Fanis U., Casolaro V.: T-helper cell type-2 regulation in allergic disease. European Respiratory Journal 2005; 26:1119-1137.
Keen J.C., Cianferoni A., Florio G., Guo J., Chen R., Wills-Karp M., Casolaro V., Georas S.N.: Characterization of a novel PMA-inducible pathway of IL-13 gene expression in T cells. Immunology 2006; 117:29-37.
Presentations
1990 Workshop on The Genetics of Asthma, Down Hall, UK
1996 Workshop on Transcription Factors Regulating IL-4 and ÿ Gene Expression, European Science Foundation, Florence, Italy
1996 Respiratory 2000 International Award Ceremony, Schering-Plough, Kenilworth, NJ
1997 3rd International Consensus Conference on Allergology and Clinical Immunology, Rome, Italy
1997 V International Asthma Conference, Ischia, Italy
1999 II International Symposium on Occupational and Environmental Allergy and ImmuneDiseases, Chieti, Italy
2001 Seminar Co-Chair, 57th Annual Meeting, AAAAI, New Orleans, LO
2002 Seminar Co-Chair, 58th Annual Meeting, AAAAI, New York, NY
2004 60th Annual Meeting, AAAAI, San Francisco, CA
2004 Immunology Council Seminar Series, Johns Hopkins University
2005 Scientific Seminar Series, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
