Research

Boggaram, Vijay, Ph.D.

← BACK  



Contact: vijay.boggaram@uthct.edu

Education:
M.S., Biochemistry, 1975, University of Mysore, India
Ph.D., Biochemistry, 1982, University of Stockholm, Sweden

Research Interest:
Regulation of gene expression in the lung, Mechanisms of acute and chronic lung injury.

Current Projects:

  1. Surfactant protein, interleukin-8 (IL-8) and thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1/Nkx2.1) gene regulation.
  2. Lung gene regulation in acute influenza A viral infection.

Lay Summary:
The human lung contains approximately 300 million alveoli that facilitate gas exchange between inhaled air and blood to maintain respiration. Because of the critical roles that the alveoli perform, it is essential to maintain the integrity of the alveoli during respiration. Any perturbations that weaken the stability of the alveoli can lead to lung collapse resulting in respiratory distress and possible death. The stability of the alveoli during the respiratory cycle is maintained by surfactant, a lipid-protein complex produced and secreted by the alveolar type II and Clara (bronchiolar) epithelial cells. Surfactant stabilizes the alveoli by counteracting contractile forces on the alveolar surface to reduce surface tension during respiration. Additionally surfactant plays important roles in the control of host defense and inflammation in the lung. Reduced levels and abnormalities of surfactant contribute to the development of lung injury in newborn and acute respiratory distress syndromes and in pulmonary infections caused by bacteria and virus. Thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1), a transcription factor required for lung development controls surfactant protein expression. Because of the important roles that TTF-1 plays in the lung, abnormal levels of TTF-1 probably contribute to the pathogenesis of lung diseases. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is a chemokine that is a potent chemoattractant for neutrophils, T cells and other immune cells. IL-8 levels are directly correlated with neutrophil content and severity of lung injury in inflammatory lung diseases. A number of factors including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), nitric oxide (NO), bioactive lipids and others have been implicated as causative agents for the aberrant expression of surfactant protein, TTF-1 and IL-8 genes in lung diseases. A better understanding of cellular pathways and mechanisms mediating aberrant expression of surfactant protein, TTF-1 and IL-8 genes may be useful in the development of novel drugs and treatments for lung diseases.

Research Overview:
Transcriptional and posttranscriptional (mRNA stability) mechanisms serve as key regulatory steps in the control of gene expression. Our research is aimed at understanding transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms controlling surfactant protein, TTF-1 and IL-8 gene expression in normal and injured lung. Primary lung cells, lung cell lines and animal models of lung injury are being used to understand surfactant protein, TTF-1 and IL-8 gene regulation.

Selected Papers and Abstracts:

NOTICE: Protected health information is subject to electronic disclosure.