An effective immune system is absolutely essential for health and long life, protecting us against a wide variety of infectious disease-causing microorganisms. Macrophages are key cells within the immune system that are part of the first line of defense against infection. These cells “eat” microbes and destroy them internally and they release several toxic molecules that kill microbes in the local area. However, arguably macrophages most important function during an infection is to release mediator proteins called cytokines that recruit immune system cells in great numbers to the site of infection, a watershed event in mounting an effective immune defense. My research seeks to elucidate the molecular mechanisms that regulate the production of cytokines in macrophages. A fuller understanding of these of mechanisms is a critical ingredient in efforts to generate new insight into human disease and to develop more effective therapeutic interventions.
