Erik Brincks |
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| Research Interests | |
| My research examines the role that TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) plays in the immune response to influenza infection. Classically, roles for TRAIL have been in the context of tumor immunology, where interactions of TRAIL with its ligand DR-5 (TRAIL-R2) stimulate apoptosis in tumor cells. Recent studies have suggested a role for TRAIL signaling in the immune response to viral infections—including RSV, HSV, and HIV. Our preliminary studies of influenza infection in TRAIL-deficient mice show increased disease severity compared to TRAIL-sufficient mice. My goals are to determine the role that TRAIL is playing in the immune response to influenza virus infections and to elucidate the cause of the increased disease severity in the TRAIL -/- mice. | |
| Publications | |
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Brincks , E.L., Kucaba, T.A., Legge, K.L., Griffith, T.S.. Influenza-induced expression of functional tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Hum Immunol. 2008 Aug 21. [Epub ahead of print]
Brincks , E.L., Katewa, A., Kucaba, T.A., Griffith, T.S., Legge K.L. TNF-related apoptosis –inducing ligand (TRAIL) deficiency increase the severity of experimental influenza virus infections. Submitted, 2008. Brincks , E.L., Legge, K.L., and Griffith T.S. TRAIL deficiency increases the severity of influenza virus infections. Proceedings of the Options for the Control of Influenza VI. In Press, 2007. |
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