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Personal History
1972-1976, B.S., Microbiology/Chemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL1976-1981, Ph.D., Immunology. Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
1981-1986, Post-doctoral Fellow, Immunogenetics, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD
1986-1988, Research Scientist, Frederick Cancer Research Facility, Frederick, MD
1988-1992, Assistant Director, Cambridge Biotech Corp., Rockville, MD
1992-2000, Director of Research, Dexall Biomedical Labs, Gaithersburg, MD
2000-2005, Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UMB School of Pharmacy
2001-present, Graduate Faculty, UMB Graduate School
2005-2008, Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, UMB School of Medicine
2008-present, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, UMB School of Medicine
Research Interests
Our laboratory studies the interactions of microbial pathogens with the respiratory and gastrointestinal mucosal surfaces. Two model systems are currently being explored: (1) expression, structure, and function of MUC1 mucin, and (2) intestinal immunity against coccidiosis.Expression, structure, and function of MUC1 mucin by respiratory and gastric epithelial cells. Mucin-1 (MUC1) belongs to a family of mucin glycoproteins that are divided into secreted and membrane-bound forms. MUC1 is a membrane mucin expressed by mucosal epithelial cells, and overexpressed by most carcinomas. Unlike other membrane mucins, the cytoplasmic region of MUC1 contains multiple sites of serine and tyrosine phosphorylation that are associated with a wide array of cellular processes, including the host response to pathogenic microorganisms, cell growth, cell differentiation, intercellular adhesion, and apoptosis. In collaboration with scientists at Temple University School of Medicine and the University of Maryland School of Medicine, we are currently investigating the role of MUC1 in: (1) Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection, (2) Helicobacter pylori gastric infection, (3) intracellular signal transduction, and (4) epithelial injury, repair, and restitution. Through these studies, we hope to glean new information relevant to understanding the pathogenesis of lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis and gastric disorders such as peptic ulcer disease and stomach cancer.
Intestinal immunity against coccidiosis. Coccidiosis is an intestinal disease caused by Eimeria spp. that impairs the feed utilization and growth of commercial poultry. Anti-coccidial antibiotics are currently used to control outbreaks of infection, but parasite drug resistance and regulatory restrictions on antibiotic use in livestock have spawned an interest in alternative strategies for disease control. In collaboration with scientists at the USDA, our laboratories are identifying immunogenic components of Eimeria with the goal of developing coccidiosis vaccines. In addition, we are isolating and characterizing cytokines and chemokines as vaccine adjuvants.
A third project in our laboratory is investigating the role of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) in the pathogenesis of acute onset schizophrenia and bipolar disease in collaboration with Dr. Robert H. Yolken, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. We have discovered that antibodies to exogenous simian retroviruses are present at significantly greater frequency in patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder compared with matched controls. We hypothesize that these antibodies are generated against endogenous retroviruses and can be detected by cross-reaction with exogenous viruses.
Current Grant Support:
MUC1, TLR5, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the Pathogenesis of CF, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Lillehoj, E. P. (PI), 2006-2010. Transcytosis of Flagellin Across Airway Epithelia, NIH/NIAID, Lillehoj, E. P. (PI), 2007-2009.
Diagnostic Potential of Retrovirus Envelope Glycoproteins in Acute Onset Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder, Stanley Medical Research Institute, Lillehoj, E. P. (PI), 2008-2010.
Counter-regulation of TLR-driven Mucosal Inflammation, NIH/NIAID, Lillehoj, E. P. (PI), 2009-2011.
Publications
Search My Publications in Pub Med
Most Recent Publications
Lee SH, Lillehoj HS, Park DW, Jang SI, Morales A, Garcia D, Lucio E, Larios R, Victoria G, Marrufo D, Lillehoj EP. Protective effect of hyperimmune egg yolk IgY antibodies against Eimeria tenella and Eimeria maxima infections. Vet Parasitol. 2009 Jul 7;163(1-2):123-6. PMID: 19450929
Lee SH, Lillehoj HS, Park DW, Jang SI, Morales A, Garcia D, Lucio E, Larios R, Victoria G, Marrufo D, Lillehoj EP. Induction of passive immunity in broiler chickens against Eimeria acervulina by hyperimmune egg yolk immunoglobulin Y. Poult Sci. 2009 Mar;88(3):562-6. PMID: 19211525
Hong YH, Kim ES, Lillehoj HS, Lillehoj EP, Song KD. Association of resistance to avian coccidiosis with single nucleotide polymorphisms in the zyxin gene. Poult Sci. 2009 Mar;88(3):511-8. PMID: 19211519
Guang W, Kim KC, Lillehoj EP. MUC1 mucin interacts with calcium-modulating cyclophilin ligand. Int J Biochem Cell Biol. 2009 Jun;41(6):1354-60. PMID: 19135167
Hong YH, Lillehoj HS, Siragusa GR, Bannerman DD, Lillehoj EP. Antimicrobial activity of chicken NK-lysin against Eimeria sporozoites. Avian Dis. 2008 Jun;52(2):302-5. PMID: 18646461
Kim KC, Lillehoj EP. MUC1 mucin: a peacemaker in the lung. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. 2008 Dec;39(6):644-7. PMID: 18617677
Kim CH, Lillehoj HS, Bliss TW, Keeler CL Jr, Hong YH, Park DW, Yamage M, Min W, Lillehoj EP. Construction and application of an avian intestinal intraepithelial lymphocyte cDNA microarray (AVIELA) for gene expression profiling during Eimeria maxima infection. Vet Immunol Immunopathol. 2008 Aug 15;124(3-4):341-54. PMID: 18538860
Kim DK, Lillehoj HS, Hong YH, Park DW, Lamont SJ, Han JY, Lillehoj EP. Immune-related gene expression in two B-complex disparate genetically inbred Fayoumi chicken lines following Eimeria maxima infection. Poult Sci. 2008 Mar;87(3):433-43. PMID: 18281568
Lee SH, Lillehoj HS, Cho SM, Chun HK, Park HJ, Lim CI, Lillehoj EP. Immunostimulatory effects of oriental plum (Prunus salicina Lindl.) Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis. 2009 Sep;32(5):407-17. PMID: 18262269
Lee SH, Lillehoj HS, Lillehoj EP, Cho SM, Park DW, Hong YH, Chun HK, Park HJ. Immunomodulatory properties of dietary plum on coccidiosis. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis. 2008 Sep;31(5):389-402. PMID: 17686519
Kuwahara I, Lillehoj EP, Koga T, Isohama Y, Miyata T, Kim KC. The signaling pathway involved in neutrophil elastase stimulated MUC1 transcription. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. 2007 Dec;37(6):691-8. PMID: 17600314
Koga T, Kuwahara I, Lillehoj EP, Lu W, Miyata T, Isohama Y, Kim KC. TNF-alpha induces MUC1 gene transcription in lung epithelial cells: its signaling pathway and biological implication. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. 2007 Sep;293(3):L693-701. PMID: 17575006
Lillehoj EP, Lu W, Kiser T, Goldblum SE, Kim KC. MUC1 inhibits cell proliferation by a beta-catenin-dependent mechanism. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2007 Jul;1773(7):1028-38. PMID: 17524503
Hong YH, Lillehoj HS, Lillehoj EP, Lee SH. Changes in immune-related gene expression and intestinal lymphocyte subpopulations following Eimeria maxima infection of chickens. Vet Immunol Immunopathol. 2006 Dec 15;114(3-4):259-72. PMID: 17045659
Hong YH, Lillehoj HS, Lee SH, Dalloul RA, Lillehoj EP. Analysis of chicken cytokine and chemokine gene expression following Eimeria acervulina and Eimeria tenella infections. Vet Immunol Immunopathol. 2006 Dec 15;114(3-4):209-23. PMID: 16996141
Kuwahara I, Lillehoj EP, Lu W, Singh IS, Isohama Y, Miyata T, Kim KC. Neutrophil elastase induces IL-8 gene transcription and protein release through p38/NF-{kappa}B activation via EGFR transactivation in a lung epithelial cell line. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. 2006 Sep;291(3):L407-16.PMID: 16632517
Lu W, Hisatsune A, Koga T, Kato K, Kuwahara I, Lillehoj EP, Chen W, Cross AS, Gendler SJ, Gewirtz AT, Kim KC. Cutting edge: enhanced pulmonary clearance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by Muc1 knockout mice. J Immunol. 2006 Apr 1;176(7):3890-4. PMID: 16547220
Molock KE, Lillehoj EP. Biochemical interactions among intercellular adhesion molecules expressed by airway epithelial cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2006 May 5;343(2):513-9. PMID: 16546130
Hong YH, Lillehoj HS, Lee SH, Park DW, Lillehoj EP. Molecular cloning and characterization of chicken lipopolysaccharide-induced TNF-alpha factor (LITAF). Dev Comp Immunol. 2006;30(10):919-29. PMID: 16466659
Hong YH, Lillehoj HS, Dalloul RA, Min W, Miska KB, Tuo W, Lee SH, Han JY, Lillehoj EP. Molecular cloning and characterization of chicken NK-lysin. Vet Immunol Immunopathol. 2006 Apr 15;110(3-4):339-47. PMID: 16387367