Laboratory of Molecular Immunology

Leonard, Warren, MD, Chief

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One area of research focuses on the T-cell activation process in normal and pathological states. Current interests in this area are the elucidation of the interleukin-2 including the molecular regulation of the expression of its protein subunits. Other interests of the laboratory include:

1. The mechanisms by which metabolites are formed by cytochrome P450 enzymes, e.g., factors that govern the orientations of substrates and the mechanisms by which the different orientations are achieved;
   
   
2. The mechanisms by which chemically reactive metabolites cause the formation of immunogens, e.g., the identification of proteins that are trifluoroacetated during the metabolism of halothane and are recognized by antibodies in the sera of patients having halothane-induced hepatitis; and
   
   
3. The mechanisms by which IgE antibodies evoke the release of histamine and other mediators of immediate hypersensitivity reactions from mast cells, e.g., the involvement of G proteins, phospholipase C, protein kinase C and adenine receptors.