She is also studying the development of atherosclerotic lesions associated with vascular endothelial CMV infection. Apoptosis, a form of programmed cell death, and often contrasted with mitosis, is a major regulatory mechanism controlling development, the immune system and resolution of inflammation. Recognition and ingestion by phagocytes are final common events for most apoptotic cells, but both the mechanisms of this removal, the surface changes on apoptotic cells that lead to phagocyte recognition and the consequences of process are poorly understood. These studies extend from understanding the control of membrane phospholipid distribution to determination and cloning of recognition receptors on the phagocytes, signaling and cytoskeletal mechanisms for uptake and understanding the ability of the ingestion process to actively turn off inflammatory responses and promote healing and restoration of normal tissue function. The studies extend to investigation of the roles and life spans of neutrophils in inflammatory reactions and to ability of macrophages to orchestrate these processes.
Macrophages participate in many aspects of host defense, inflammation, and immunity.
Kevin O. Kisich is focusing on the modulation of cytokine gene expression, for example, excessive production of TNF a . T cells in inflammation. Arachidonic acid esterified in phospholipids provides the substrate for generation of a host of biologically active mediators and signal molecules, the various families of eicosanoids. The first step in their biosynthesis is liberation of the arachidonate from the membrane phospholipids by action of phospholipase A2, the major investigational focus for Christina Leslie . The critical importance of this enzyme is exemplified by the major abnormalities seen knockout mice.