My principal research interest relates to the effect of smoking on host immunity, particularly on how smoking affects dendritic cell functions. Dendritic cells are potent antigen presenting cells, and play critical roles in mediating immunity to foreign antigens (such as those expressed on infectious pathogens). Dendritic cells are also important in mediating host responses relevant to the pathogenesis of cancer, and are important regulators of tolerance to self-antigen. My main research interest is focused on defining how smoking alters dendritic cell function causing these cells to be hypo-responsive in the face of danger. I am also interested in understanding how smoking alters the pulmonary immune response to inhaled antigen and how smoking skews immunity to favor development of pro-allergic diseases. These studies have significant implications regarding how cancers and other diseases caused by smoking come about. By identifying specific molecular defects in the dendritic cells of smokers, it could be possible to develop new strategies for treating cancer and other diseases that afflict smokers.

Asthmatics who smoke are less responsive to steroids than non-smokers. The cause of this steroid "resistance" is unknown. One of my research interests is also to identify mechanisms by which smoking alters the efficacy of corticosteroids on T cells. These studies may enable the identification of novel ways to suppress abnormal immune cell function in smokers.

Cigarette smoking is associated with the development of certain interstitial lung diseases like pulmonary Langerhans cell Histiocytosis. Through ongoing efforts we are trying to understand the natural history and pathogenesis of these fascinating smoking-related interstitial lung diseases.