Research Interests The major goal of my research is to investigate mechanisms of lung host defenses in normal and immunocompromised hosts. Presently, we are investigating how IL-23 and IL-17 regulate neutrophil recruitment in response to infectious stimuli in the lung. We also have a long-standing interest in understanding cytokine biology in the lung through over-expression or dominant negative inhibitor strategies using somatic gene transfer. In these studies, we have identified that sub-populations of CD8+ T-cells polarized in vivo via cytokine gene transfer have effector activity against P. carinii. We are presently using gene expression profiling and proteomics to define this effector activity. We also have a program in developing CD4-independent vaccination against AIDS-related opportunistic infections.   Selected Publications Ouyang W, Kolls JK, Zheng Y. The biological functions of T helper 17 cell effector cytokines in inflammation. Immunity. 2008 Apr;28(4):454-67. Review. Raffatellu M, Santos RL, Verhoeven DE, George MD, Wilson RP, Winter SE, Godinez I, Sankaran S, Paixao TA, Gordon MA, Kolls JK, Dandekar S, Bäumler AJ. Simian immuno-deficiency virus-induced mucosal interleukin-17 deficiency promotes Salmonella dissemination from the gut.Nat Med. 2008 Apr;14(4):421-8. Ruan S, McKinley L, Zheng M, Rudner X, D'Souza A, Kolls JK, Shellito JE. Interleukin-12 and host defense against murine pneumocystis pneumonia. Infect Immun. 2008 Mar 10. Aujla SJ, Chan YR, Zheng M, Fei M, Askew DJ, Pociask DA, Reinhart TA, McAllister F, Edeal J, Gaus K, Husain S, Kreindler JL, Dubin PJ, Pilewski JM, Myerburg MM, Mason CA, Iwakura Y, Kolls JK. IL-22 mediates mucosal host defense against Gram-negative bacterial pneumonia. Nat Med. 2008 Mar;14(3):275-81. Hsu HC, Yang P, Wang J, Wu Q, Myers R, Chen J, Yi J, Guentert T, Tousson A, Stanus AL, Le TV, Lorenz RG, Xu H, Kolls JK, Carter RH, Chaplin DD, Williams RW, Mountz JD. Interleukin 17-producing T helper cells and interleukin 17 orchestrate autoreactive germinal center development in autoimmune BXD2 mice. Nat Immunol. 2008 Feb;9(2):166-75. Complete Publication Listing   Grant Support NIH/NHLBI: Non-CD4 host defense against P. carinii pneumonia. Principal Investigator NIH/NHLBI: CD8 T-cells and host defense against P. carinii pneumonia. Principal Investigator NIH/NHLBI: IL-23/IL-17 and lung host defense. Principal Investigator NIH/NHLBI: Host fctors in fungal allergy and fibrosis. Principal Investigator NIH/NIAAA: Alcohol, ROS, and macrophage epigenetics. Principal Investigator   Other Links CHP, Dept. of Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy and Immunology University of Pittsburgh

Jay K. Kolls, M.D. Office:  CHP, Room 3765 Lab:412-692-7594 (Phone) Phone:412-692-8429 (Office) Fax: 412-692-6645 Jay.Kolls@chp.edu   Academic Affiliations Chief, Division of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy and Immunology Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Professor of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy and Immunology Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh   Education Ursinus College B.S. Physics - 1981 University of Maryland Medical School M.D. - 1985 Howard Hughes Medical Institute (UT SW, Dallas TX) Postdoc - 1992-1993