Education:
University of Alabama School of Medicine, M.D., 1989
Vanderbilt University, B.S. Molecular Biology, 1985

Research Interests:

My primary research interest is in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, with a focus on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We have previously shown that the gene Cr2, that encodes complement receptors 1 and 2 (CR1/CR2), is a strong candidate gene for lupus susceptibility in the NZM2410 mouse model of SLE based on structural and functional alterations in its protein products. Much of the work in my lab is currently focused on proving that Cr2 is a lupus susceptibility gene in this animal model and determining the mechanism by which it confers loss of tolerance. We have recently extended our studies into human SLE, in which levels of CR2 have been shown to be decreased by approximately 50%, and are conducting a longitudinal study involving patients with SLE to identify the role of CR2 in their disease process. The long-term goal of my lab is to identify genes that are relevant in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases such as lupus, and to determine the mechanisms by which they have their effect so that targeted therapeutic agents can be developed for patients with these diseases.

Selected Publications:

• Boackle, S.A., Culhane, K.K., Brown, J.B., Haas, M., Bao, L., Quigg, R.J., and Holers, V.M. 2004. CR1/CR2 deficiency alters IgG3 autoantibody production and IgA glomerular deposition in the MRL/lpr model of SLE. Autoimmunity 37: 111-123.
• Li, S., Holers, V.M., Boackle, S.A., and Blatteis, C.M. 2002. Modulation of mouse endotoxic fever by complement. Infect Immun 70:2519-2525.
• Bao, L., Haas, M., Boackle, S.A., Cunningham, P.N., Park, P., Alexander, J.J., Anderson, R.K., Culhane, K., Holers, V.M., Quigg, R.J. 2002. Transgenic expression of a soluble complement inhibitor protects against renal disease and promotes survival in MRL/lpr mice. J Immunol 168:3601-3607.
• Boackle, S.A., Holers, V.M., Chen, X., Szakonyi, G., Karp, D.R., Wakeland, E.K., Morel, L. 2001. Cr2, a candidate gene in the murine Sle1c lupus susceptibility locus, encodes a dysfunctional protein. Immunity 15: 775-785.5.
• Henson, S.E., Smith, D., Boackle, S.A., Holers, V.M., Karp, D.R. 2001. Generation of recombinant human C3dg tetramers for the analysis of CD21 binding and function. J Immunol Methods 258: 97-109.4.
• Boackle, S.A., Morris, M.A., Holers, V.M., Karp, D.R. 1998. Complement opsonization is required for presentation of immune complexes by resting peripheral blood B cells. J Immunol 161: 6537-6543.3.
• Boackle, S.A., Holers, V.M., Karp, D.R. 1997. CD21 augments antigen presentation in immune individuals. Eur J Immunol 27: 122-130.2.

View of Recent Publications in PubMed