Research Interests
Pathology, Immunoregulation, inflammatory cell
mediator production, and molecular biology.
Experimental research activities
directed at understanding cytokine networks that are operative in a
variety of inflammatory reactions and host defenses represent the major
investigative directions of my laboratory. Specific studies are designed
to assess the expression and regulation of both proximal mediators,
such as interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) and
more distal mediators, such as interleukin-8 (IL-8) and monocyte chemoattractant
protein-1 (MCP). Investigations have identified that macrophage-derived
IL-1 and TNF can serve as early inflammatory gene products which set
in motion a cascade of events, resulting in the expression of chemotactic
cytokines (IL-8 and MCP) from a variety of non-immune cells. Fibroblasts,
epithelial cell, hepatocytes, and endothelial cells can all express
IL-8 and MCP when stimulated with either macrophage condition media,
IL-1, or TNF. Steady state levels of IL-8 and MCP mRNA are clearly induced
upon stimulation with IL-1 in the pg/ml concentration range.
The ability of non-immune structural
cells to express chemotactic cytokines are likely to play a fundamental
role in host defense and provide a mechanism for the localization of
many acute and chronic inflammatory responses. These chemotactic cytokines
may play a key role in the pathology of disease ranging form ischemia/reperfusion
injury to chronic allograft rejection . Furthermore, recent studies
have inflammation and tumorgenesis. While IL-1 and TNF appear to cause
a pro-inflammatory response by initiating cytokine cascades, other cytokines
may result in negative effects resulting in the down-regulation of cytokines
and their cascades. These latter regulatory polypeptide mediators include
interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, IL-4, IL-10, and soluble cytokine
receptors. During the evolution of chronic inflammation these signals
are likely to mediate the switch between maintenance of the response
to resolution of the inflammatory reaction. The Biology of cytokines
are studied in the context of an in vitro cellular and molecular
approach, as well as in the context of acute and chronic experimental
in vivo models of inflammation.
For a list of Dr. Kunke'ls most recent
publications, click
here
Brief Biography:
Professor Kunkel earned his undergraduate
and M.S. degrees from North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota
in 1973 and 1974, respectively, and his Ph.D. (in Microbiology) from
the University of Kansas in 1978. He then engaged in Postdoctoral training
in Immunopathology at the University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington,
Connecticut from 1978-1980.
In 1980, Dr. Kunkel joined the
faculty of the Department of Pathology at the University of Michigan
Medical School as an Instructor, was promoted to an Assistant Professor
in 1982, Associate Professor in 1986, and Professor of Pathology in
1991. He was awarded the Endowed Professorship in Pathology Research
in 1997. Dr. Kunkel has served as the Divisional Director of General
Pathology in the Department of Pathology since 1991, and the Associate
Dean of the Rackham Graduate School of the University of Michigan since
1995. In 1998, Dr. Kunkel was honored as the Outstanding Alumni for
the College of Math and Sciences at the University of North Dakota and
in 2001, as the Visiting Professor for the endowed lectureship in honor
of Dr. Arthur Atsunobu Hirata at the University of Kansas, Department
of Molecular Biosciences. In 2001, Dr. Kunkel was named recipient of
the University of Michigan Medical School's Distinguished Faculty Lectureship
award in Biomedical Research.
During these years at the University
of Michigan, Dr. Kunkel has received significant NIH research support,
has been awarded five United States patents, has served on numerous
NIH Study Sections, mentored numerous graduate and postdoctoral students,
and has engaged in many editorial activities. He is currently the Associate
Editor of the Journal of Clinical Investigation, the Senior Associate
Editor of the American Journal of Pathology, and the Associate
Editor of the Journal of Clinical Immunology. |
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