Immunopharmacology; alterations in cytokine regulation of IgE levels; cell
biology of naturally occurring polymorphisms in cytokine genes related
to asthma or allergy in humans; immune response development in infancy
in relation to respiratory viruses and allergens.
My current research objectives and interests lie primarily in
the area of immunopharmacology and especially in relation to mechanisms
of allergy and asthma. We are assessing alterations in lymphocyte
cytokine expression, IgE antibody synthesis, and T cell alterations
in function with the objective of identifying the primary defect(s)
that lead to asthma and/or allergy. Given data suggesting
that asthma or allergy susceptibility may be established in utero,
we are determining the mechanisms by which maternal influences
are exerted on the developing immune system of the child very
early in life. Gene polymorphisms leading to differences
in expression or differences in activity of cytokines and/or receptors
associated with allergy and asthma are also under study.
Schweiger A, Stern D, Baldini M, Lohman IC, Martinez FD, Halonen
M. Differences in proliferation of the hematopoietic cell
lineTF-1 and cytokine production by peripheral blood leukocytes
induced by two naturally occurring forms of human interleukin-3.
J Allergy Clin Immunol, in press, 2001.
Baldini M, Lohman IC, Halonen M, Erickson RP, Holt PG, and Martinez
FD: A polymorphism in the 5' flanking region of the CD14
gene is associated with circulating soluble CD14 levels and with
total serum Immunoglobulin E. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol
20:976-983, 1999.
Halonen M, Stern DA, Lohman IC, Wright AL, Brown MA, Martinez
FD: Two subphenotypes of childhood asthma that differ in
maternal and paternal influences on asthma risk. Amer J
Resp Crit Care Med. 160:564-70, 1999.
