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Immunology

Research

Dr. Margaret Hostetter studies the pathogenesis of candidal infections. Among the fungi, the yeast Candida albicans is the leading cause of death in susceptible hosts including premature newborns, patients with cancer, and other immunocompromised hosts. Expanding upon our prior characterization of functions of the Int1 protein in adhesion and filamentous growth (Science 279:1355-8, 1998), we have defined new functions for this protein in superantigen-mediated injury and in biofilm formation. Other projects in the laboratory focus on the role of the mitochondrial proteome in C. albicans morphogenesis and the mechanisms whereby this yeast invades the human gastrointestinal tract. In vitro models of gastrointestinal invasion are particularly interesting because of the novel linkage between C. albicans proteases, epithelial E-cadherin, and signaling via the gamma-secretase pathway.

Frank CF, Hostetter MK. Cleavage of E-cadherin: a mechanism for disruption of the intestinal epithelial barrier by Candida albicans. Transl Res. 2007 Apr;149(4):211-22.

Vellucci VF, Gygax SE, Hostetter MK. Involvement of Candida albicans pyruvate dehydrogenase complex protein X (Pdx1) in filamentation. Fungal Genet Biol. 2006 Dec 16; [Epub ahead of print]

McDonough JA, Bhattacherjee V, Sadlon T, Hostetter MK. Involvement of Candida albicans NADH dehydrogenase complex I in filamentation. Fungal Genet Biol. 2002 Jul;36(2):117-27.

Dr. Jose Calderon is studying the effect of facilitated communication between the asthma-allergy specialist and the primary care provider in the outcome of treatment of high-risk asthma in minority children at the Hill Health Center and the Fair Haven Health Center. He is working to translate specialty asthma care into the primary care setting in underserved patient populations.