The purpose of this proposal is to provide Dr. B. Paige Lawrence with release time from teaching, service and administrative duties, enabling her to devote at least 75% of her professional efforts to her research and career development. Dr. Lawrence is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Washington State University. She has obtained funding from NIEHS and the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation for her research program, studying the immunotoxicity of the pollutant 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Dr. Lawrence's career development plan includes: 1) devoting additional time to defining the molecular mechanisms that underlie the immunotoxicity of TCDD, 2) expanding the breadth of her program in terms of immunological endpoints, experimental system and methodology, and toxicant studied;and 3) obtaining further training in immunology so that cutting-edge technology and information can be applied to her immunotoxicology research program. To accomplish these goals, she has proposed a project that will direct her research program into an area that is new to her (immunology memory). She will receive training and mentoring from Dr. David L. Woodland, a senior immunologist with expertise in immune memory to respiratory viral infections. This award will allow her to travel to Dr. Woodland's laboratory at the Trudeau Institute in Saranac Lake, NY, where she will receive hands-on training at a state-of-the-art immunology research facility. Given that there is essentially no information on the long-term effect of exposure to AhR ligands on the establishment, maintenance, and recall of T cell memory, the proposed studies will not only expand Dr. Lawrence's training, but will fill a very large gap in knowledge about the immunotoxicity of TCDD and related AhR ligands. Dr. Lawrence's long-term career objectives include an academic career with research focused on understanding how exposure to Ah receptor ligands impacts human health. She hopes to contribute to knowledge that will ultimately diminish the burden of environmentally-related diseases. In summary, Dr. Lawrence plans continuous devotion to research in immunotoxicology throughout her career. This award will help to establish her career by providing her with the training and resources to expand the breadth and depth of her immunotoxicology research program.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Type
Research Scientist Development Award - Research (K02)
Project #
5K02ES012409-06
Application #
7534062
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZES1-LKB-E (L2))
Program Officer
Shreffler, Carol K
Project Start
2004-12-09
Project End
2009-11-30
Budget Start
2008-12-01
Budget End
2009-11-30
Support Year
6
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$129,043
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Rochester
Department
Public Health & Prev Medicine
Type
Schools of Dentistry
DUNS #
041294109
City
Rochester
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
14627
Wheeler, Jennifer L H; Martin, Kyle C; Resseguie, Emily et al. (2014) Differential consequences of two distinct AhR ligands on innate and adaptive immune responses to influenza A virus. Toxicol Sci 137:324-34
Lawrence, B Paige; Vorderstrasse, Beth A (2013) New insights into the aryl hydrocarbon receptor as a modulator of host responses to infection. Semin Immunopathol 35:615-26
Wheeler, Jennifer L Head; Martin, Kyle C; Lawrence, B Paige (2013) Novel cellular targets of AhR underlie alterations in neutrophilic inflammation and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression during influenza virus infection. J Immunol 190:659-68
O'Reilly, Michael A; Yee, Min; Buczynski, Bradley W et al. (2012) Neonatal oxygen increases sensitivity to influenza A virus infection in adult mice by suppressing epithelial expression of Ear1. Am J Pathol 181:441-51
Lew, Betina J; Manickam, Ravikumar; Lawrence, B Paige (2011) Activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor during pregnancy in the mouse alters mammary development through direct effects on stromal and epithelial tissues. Biol Reprod 84:1094-102
Winans, Bethany; Humble, Michael C; Lawrence, B Paige (2011) Environmental toxicants and the developing immune system: a missing link in the global battle against infectious disease? Reprod Toxicol 31:327-36
Jin, Guang-Bi; Moore, Amanda J; Head, Jennifer L et al. (2010) Aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation reduces dendritic cell function during influenza virus infection. Toxicol Sci 116:514-22
Head, Jennifer L; Lawrence, B Paige (2009) The aryl hydrocarbon receptor is a modulator of anti-viral immunity. Biochem Pharmacol 77:642-53
Lew, Betina J; Collins, Loretta L; O'Reilly, Michael A et al. (2009) Activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor during different critical windows in pregnancy alters mammary epithelial cell proliferation and differentiation. Toxicol Sci 111:151-62
Collins, Loretta L; Lew, Betina J; Lawrence, B Paige (2009) TCDD exposure disrupts mammary epithelial cell differentiation and function. Reprod Toxicol 28:11-7

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