Molecular Sciences Faculty Directory
Elizabeth A. Fitzpatrick, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
858 Madison Ave.
801 Molecular Science Building
Memphis, TN 38163
Email: efitzpatrick@utmem.edu
Phone: 901-448-5405
Fax: 901-448-7360
Research Interests
Our research focus is on the role of neutrophils in the disease Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis (HP). HP is an interstitial lung disease that develops following repeated exposure to inhaled environmental antigens. The disease is characterized by alveolitis and granuloma formation that in some patients progresses to fibrosis. Our laboratory has been studying the role of IFN? in the development of HP using the Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula (SR) animal model. IFN? is a Th1 cytokine that is required for the development of granulomas in the lungs of mice following repeated exposure to SR. The production of IFN? is important for the expression of T cell chemokines that recruit T cells into the lung following SR exposure; in the absence of IFN?, T cell recruitment and subsequently granuloma formation are reduced. Therefore the cells that produce or regulate IFN? production following SR exposure play a pivotal role in disease pathogenesis. Our studies have revealed that neutrophils are a source of IFN? during the early stages of HP and depletion of neutrophils prior to SR exposure results in decreased IFN? expression. These results suggest that neutrophils play a critical role in the development of HP and understanding the mechanisms that regulate neutrophil recruitment and production of IFN? may provide important new insights into disease pathogenesis.
PubMed search for Dr. Elizabeth A. Fitzpatrick
Education
- Ph.D, Microbiology and Immunology, Ohio State University, 1990
- B.S, Biology, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, 1985
