General Research Interests:

1. Cell Biology of Inflammation. Studies in our laboratory group focus on the initiation, progression and resolution of the inflammatory process extending from the biochemical and molecular to animal systems and patient investigation.

2. Recognition and removal of apoptotic cells. Cell deletion is a critical process in development, tissue remodeling and homeostasis, resolution of inflammation and regulation of the immune system. Apoptosis results in cell surface changes that are recognized in part by elements of the innate immune system and which result in engulfment of the apoptotic cell. Most cell types can engulf apoptotic cells by unique and highly conserved processes. In addition, the removal is accompanied by active suppression of inflammation and adaptive immunity. Investigation of these processes and their consequences is a major focus of our program.

3. Innate immunity. A longstanding interest in the innate immune system, especially as it relates to the function of mononuclear phagocytes (macrophages), helps tie apoptotic cell clearance and inflammation together. The links between inflammation and initiation of adaptive immunity are a related subject for investigation.

4. Alterations of inflammation and innate immunity with age.

Selected Publications (from 358 publications):

• Fadok VA, Bratton DL, Rose D, Pearson A, Ezekowitz A, Henson PM. A receptor for phosphatidylserine-specific clearance of apoptotic cells. Nature 405:85-90, 2000.
• Ogden CA, deCathelineau A, Hoffmann PR, Fadok VA, Bratton D, Henson PM. C1q and collectin engagement of cell surface calreticulin initiates macropinocytosis and uptake of apoptotic cells. J. Exp. Med. 194(6): 781-795, 2001.
• Henson PM, Bratton DL, Fadok VA. The phosphatidylserine receptor: a crucial molecular switch? Nature Reviews/Molecular Cell Biology 2: 627-633, 2001.
• Hoffmann PR, deCathelineau AM, Ogden CA, Leverrier Y, Bratton DL, Daleke DL, Ridley AJ, Fadok VA, Henson PM. Phosphatidylserine (PS) induces PS receptor-mediated macropinocytosis and promotes clearance of apoptotic cells. J Cell Biol 155(4): 649-659, 2001.
• Gardai S, Whitlock BB, Helgason C, Ambruso D, Fadok V, Bratton D, Henson PM. Activation of SHIP by NADPH oxidase stimulated Lyn leads to enhanced apoptosis in neutrophils. J Biol Chem. 277: 5236-5246, 2002.
• Xiao YQ, Malcolm K, Worthen GS, Gardai S, Schiemann WP, Fadok VA, Bratton D, Henson PM. Cross talk between ERK and p38 MAPK mediates selective suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines by TGF-b1. J Biol Chem 277(17): 14884-14893, 2002.
• Gardai SH, Xiao Y-Q, Dickinson M, Nick J, Voelker D, Greene K, Henson P. By binding SIRP or calreticulin/CD91, lung collectins act as dual function surveillance molecules to suppress or enhance inflammation. Cell . 115: 13-23, 2003.
• Wang, X., Wu, Y.C., Fadok, V.A., Lee, M.C., Gengyo-Ando, K., Cheng, L.C., Ledwich, D., Hsu, P.K., Chen, J.Y., Chou, B.K., et al. 2003. Cell corpse engulfment mediated by C. elegans phosphatidylserine receptor through CED-5 and CED-12. Science 302: 1563-1566.
• Frasch SC, Henson PM, Nagaosa K, Fessler MB, Borregaard N, Bratton DL. Phospholipid flip-flop and phospholipid scramblase (PLSCR 1) co-localize to uropod rafts in fMLP stimulated neutrophils. J. Biol Chem, On-line. 2004.
• Gardai, S.J., Hildeman, D.A., Frankel, S.K., Whitlock, B.B., Frasch, S.C., Borregaard, N., Marrack, P., Bratton, D.L., and Henson, P.M. 2004. Phosphorylation of Bax serine 184 by Akt regulates its activity and apoptosis in neutrophils. J Biol Chem. Online.
  

View of Recent Publications in PubMed

Lab web page: http://www.protopage.com/hensonlab
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