Research

Azghani, Ali, Ph.D.

← BACK  


Contact: ali.azghani@uthct.edu

Education:
Ph.D. 1986, TWU, Denton, Texas

Research Interest:
Pathogenesis of Lung Injury in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection

Current Projects:
We are in the process of characterizing P. aeruginosa adhesion molecules that are recognized by host cell receptors. Antibodies directed against these proteins will be developed for ligand blotting assay in an attempt to identify their corresponding cell receptors. In addition, we are investigating the involvement and mechanism of activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases of primary lung epithelial cells in bacterial attachment and host inflammatory processes.

Lay Summary:
We encounter Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in both acute and long-term conditions. For instance, the most serious complication of individuals with cystic fibrosis is respiratory tract infection by this bacterium. Cancer patients after chemotherapy, burn victims, patients in intensive care units, and those who have undergone prolonged hospitalization are all prone to infection with this organism. This project addresses a fundamental gap in our understanding of how infection due to the Pseudomonas aeruginosa organism causes disease in humans. P. aeruginosa is a significant and common cause of lung infection, but we do not yet understand how the organism "sets up shop" by attaching to the lining surfaces of the lung. In this project, we will provide new information about the specific molecular mechanism that allows this organism to attach to lung cells and initiate lung infection. Information derived from our study will enable us to develop new interventional strategies to prevent this organism from establishing itself in the lungs in the first place.

Research Overview:
Ever-increasing numbers of P. aeruginosa lung infections emphasizes the critical need for new therapeutic methods to protect the lung against injury caused by this organism and to preserve the quality of life of infected patients. This project addresses important issues in the molecular mechanisms of P. aeruginosa pathogenesis, including virulence factors and toxins which influence bacterial adherence, the initial step in colonization and establishment of Pseudomonas infection. Our long-term objectives are: to identify bacterial ligands and host cell receptors involved in adhesion; to determine the role of bacterial toxins in extravascular coagulation/fibrinolysis; to establish the role of bacterial products and host cell signaling events in paracellular epithelial permeability to bacteria and their products. Our findings could be used in developing new strategies that block the attachment of P. aeruginosa to host cell surfaces and prevent the dissemination of this pathogen to other organs.

Selected Papers and Abstracts:

  1. Zahra AI, Azghani AO, Baker JW, Pueblitz S, Kurdowska A, Idell S. 2004. Experimental Acute Pseudomonas aeruginosa Pneumonia in Rabbits. The Medical Journal of Teaching Hospitals & Institutes, Egypt, 2004, 61, 49-60.
  2. Zahra AI, Idell S, Azghani AO, Sallam M, el Sallab H. 2004, Inflammation and Infection In Cardiothoracic Patients. The Medical Journal of Teaching Hospitals & Institutes, Egypt, 2004, 61, 19-45.
  3. Azghani AO, Amaro R. 2003. Molecular basis of Pseudomonas inflammation and new therapeutic interventions in cystic fibrosis. Recent Res. Devel. Infection & Immunity 1:387-403.
  4. Azghani AO, Idell S, Bains M, Hancock RE. 2002. Pseudomonas aeruginosa outer membrane protein F is an adhesin in bacterial binding to lung epithelial cells in culture. Microbial Pathogenesis; 33:109 -14.
  5. Azghani AO, Baker JW, Shetty S, Miller EJ, Bhat GJ. 2002. Pseudomonas aeruginosa elastase stimulates ERK signaling pathway and enhances IL-8 production by alveolar epithelial cells in culture. Inflammation Research; 51 (10): 506 - 510.
  6. Shetty S, Pendurthi UR, Halady PKS, Azghani AO, Idell S. 2002. Urokinase induces its own expressionin Beas2B lung epithelial cells. Am. J. Physiology, Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology; 283:L319-L328.
  7. Idell S, Mazar A, Cines D, Kuo A, Parry G, Gawlak S, Juarez J, Koenig K, Azghani AO, Hadden W, McLarty J, Miller E. 2002. Single-chain Urokinase Alone or Complexed to its e Receptor in Tetracycline-induced Pleuritis in Rabbits. Am J Respir Crit Care; 166: 909-910.
  8. Azghani AO, Miller EJ, Peterson BT. 2000. Virulence factors from Pseudomonas aeruginosa increase lung epithelial permeability. Lung, 178:261-269.
  9. Azghani AO, Bedinghaus TF, Klein R. 2000. Detection of Elastase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Sputum and its Potential Role in Epithelial Permeability. Lung, 178:181-189.
  10. Obiso RJ Jr, Azghani AO, Wilkins TD. The Bacteroides fragilis toxin fragilysin disrupts the paracellular barrier of epithelial cells. Infect. Immun. 65:1431-1439, 1997.