Neutrophils play a pivotal role in host defense.
During an immune response, these cells adhere to the vessel wall, migrate to sites of inflammation in the tissues, and kill and remove the infectious organism or foreign body. The laboratory is investigating the intracellular signals in neutrophils that control the process of adherence, chemotaxis, secretion, and phagocytosis. In particular, emphasis is placed upon the regulatory role of cyclic nucleotide-dependent protein kinases. Localization of cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase in human mononuclear phagocytes. Phosphorylation of human neutrophil vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein is dependent upon temperature and the organization of the cytoskeleton.