Ann Stapleton, M.D.
Associate Professor of Medicine

CONTACT INFORMATION
University of Washington
Box 356523
BB-1233, Health Sciences Building
Seattle, WA 98195

Phone: (206) 616-4121
Fax: (206) 616-4898
E-mail: stapl@u.washington.edu 

LINK TO ANN STAPLETON'S COMMUNITY OF SCIENCE WEB PAGE

CURRENT RESEARCH INTERESTS

Research in this laboratory is focused on the role of glycosphingolipids (GSLs) as host cell surface receptors for pathogenic bacteria, particularly two key organisms involved in the pathogenesis of urinary tract infections, uropathogenic Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus saprophyticus. GSL receptors on the surface of host cells play a key role in the pathogenesis of several other infectious diseases, mediating processes such as bacterial adherence and the activity of toxins. We demonstrated that the uroepithelial cells of women at increased risk for recurrent urinary tract infections exclusively express two GSLs, which serve as receptors for specific uropathogenic E. coli, and that the expression of these GSLs is genetically determined. Current investigations focus on the biochemical details of how the presence or absence of GSLs on the surface of primary cultured bladder and vaginal epithelial cells affects host susceptibility to infections with uropathogenic E. coli, including studies of GSL structures using techniques such as MALDI-TOF, genetic regulation of GSL expression, and bacterial binding to relevant GSLs. 

Other projects include (1) studies of vaginal physiology using a newly established model of primary vaginal epithelial cells, including estrogen effects on keratin and GSL expression and the role of lactobacilli in this system, (2) the role of ganglioseries GSLs in S. saprophyticus urinary tract infections, including the expression of these receptors on primary cultured bladder epithelial cells and vaginal epithelial cells and in the kidney, and (3) studies of the molecular epidemiology of E. coli virulence determinants in various populations. We collaborate with a variety of investigators within the University of Washington, such as Drs. Walter Stamm, Mac Hooton, and Beverly Dale, and outside the University (e.g. Drs. Anthony Atala, Harvard Medical School; Theresa Schlager University of Virginia; and Soman Abraham, Duke).

PUBLICATIONS