Paul B. McCray, Jr., M.D.
M.D., University of Iowa, 1981 |
Professor of Pediatrics and Microbiology, Roy J. Carver Chair in Pulmonary Research, Vice-Chair for Research in Pediatrics Campus address: 240F EMRB Mailing address: 431 Newton Rd. 240F Eckstein Medical Research Building Iowa City, IA 52242 Phone: 319-335-6844 Email: |
Pulmonary innate immunity and gene therapy with integrating vectors
Dr. McCray has a long-standing interest in the pathogenesis and treatment of cystic fibrosis. His laboratory has two main areas of investigation: 1) innate mucosal immunity in the lung and how this is altered in disease states, and 2) gene transfer for the treatment of inherited diseases. Studies of the anti-microbial properties (anti-bacterial, anti-viral) of airway surface liquid stimulated an interest in discovering novel proteins and peptides secreted by epithelia. Dr. McCray's lab is currently using genomics and large-scale expression profiling to identify candidate proteins and peptides with host defense functions. These molecules may play a role in airway innate immunity.
Dr. McCray’s interests in airway epithelial cell biology and host defense also underly studies of host-pathogen interactions and disease. The lab has a major interest in cystic fibrosis. Other ongoing studies are investigating interactions between airway epithelia and specific bacterial or viral pathogens (RSV, SARS coronavirus, others) and microbial pattern molecules (e.g. TLR2, TLR4 ligands).
Another area of active investigation is the development of integrating viral vectors for the treatment of inherited diseases. Current projects include gene transfer to airway epithelia for cystic fibrosis and gene transfer to the hepatocytes for the treatment of hemophilia A. The focus of these studies is on the development and optimization of lentivirus- and/or transposon-based vectors. A long-term goal is to develop integrating vector systems with that can be successfully used to treat genetic diseases by gene addition or gene repair.
McCray Lab Home Page
Recent publications
McCray PB Jr, Pewe L, Wohlford-Lenane C, Hickey M, Manzel L, Shi L, Netland J, Jia H, Halabi C, Sigmund CD, Meyerholz DK, Kirby P, Look DC, and Perlman S. 2007. Lethal infection in K18-hACE2 mice infected with SARS-CoV. J Virol 81:813-821.
Kang Y, Moressi CJ, Scheetz TE, Xie L, Tran DT, Casavant TL, Ak P, Benham CJ, Davidson BL, and McCray PB Jr. 2006. Integration site choice of a feline immunodeficiency virus vector. J Virol 80:8820-8823.
Sinn PL, Burnight ER, Hickey MA, Blissard GW, and McCray PB Jr. 2005. Persistent gene expression in mouse nasal epithelia following feline immunodeficiency virus-based vector gene transfer. J Virol 79:12818-12827