EHSRC Investigator Detail
| Paola D. Vermeer, Ph.D. | |
| Associate Research Scientist in Internal Medicine - Pulmonary |
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| Email: paola-vermeer@uiowa.edu | |
| Phone: (319) 335-6540 | |
| EHSRC Role(s): | Associate Member, Inflammation and Innate Immunity Research Cluster |
Dr. Vermeer's research focuses on gene transfer to human airway epithelia with emphasis on cystic fibrosis. CF airways undergo disease-related changes termed collectively as remodeling. Goblet cell hyperplasia and excessive mucus production are prominent remodeling changes and hallmarks of CF lung disease. Interests of Dr. Vermeer's research include elucidating a novel mechanism by which airway epithelia ensure maintenance of epithelial integrity in the setting of injury and repair. In disease states such as asthma and CF, where epithelial integrity becomes compromised, chronic activation of epithelia integrity monoriting systems may also account for the airway remodeling changes associated with these diseases. Given the continuously remodeling state of the CF airway, such mechanisms are closely linked to developing effective viral vectors to transduce the injured airway and understanding current limitations preventing transduction in the CF airway. Dr. Vermeer's research goals are to determine which of the currently available viral vectors (adenovirus, adeno-associated virus, FIV), efficiently transduce airway epithelia under injury-induced conditions accompanying goblet cell hyperplasia in the airway. Collaborative work with Dr. Zabner's laboratory has developed methods for inducing goblet cell hyperplasia in polarized airway epithelia. This model is used to both understand the basic mechanisms behind airway remodeling and effectively design gene delivery vectors for CF.
Recent Publications
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Vermeer PD, McHugh J, Rokhlina T, Vermeer DW, Zabner J, Welsh MJ. Vaccinia Virus Entry, Exit, and Interaction with Differentiated Human Airway Epithelia. J Virol. 2007 Jun 20; [Epub ahead of print]
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Vermeer PD, Panko L, Karp P, Lee JH, Zabner J. Differentiation of human airway epithelia is dependent on erbB2. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. 2006 Aug;291(2):L175-80. Epub 2006 Feb 17.
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Vermeer PD, Panko L, Welsh MJ, Zabner J. erbB1 functions as a sensor of airway epithelial integrity by regulation of protein phosphatase 2A activity. J Biol Chem. 2006 Jan 20;281(3):1725-30. Epub 2005 Nov 17.
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Vermeer PD, Einwalter LA, Moninger TO, Rokhlina T, Kern JA, Zabner J, Welsh MJ. Segregation of receptor and ligand regulates activation of epithelial growth factor receptor. Nature. 2003 Mar 20;422(6929):322-6.
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Vermeer PD, Harson R, Einwalter LA, Moninger T, Zabner J. Interleukin-9 induces goblet cell hyperplasia during repair of human airway epithelia. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. 2003 Mar;28(3):286-95.