research
Shawn Skerrett
Professor
MD
Last Updated: February 2, 2011
Research Focus
My laboratory is focused on innate immunity to bacterial infections of the lungs. We study interactions of bacteria with alveolar macrophages and airway epithelial cells in vitro, and use mouse models of infection to study integrated host defenses in vivo. We make extensive use of genetically altered bacteria and mice to explore specific molecular interactions in microbial virulence and host defense. Current efforts focus on pattern recognition pathways that trigger key responses to Legionella pneumophila, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Francisella tularensis, Yersinia pestis, and Burkholderia pseudomallei.
Relevant Publications
Skerrett SJ, Wilson CB, Liggitt HD, Hajjar AM: Redundant TLR signaling in the pulmonary host response to Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2007; 292:L312-322.
Hawn TR, Berrington WR, Smith IA, Uematsu S, Akira S, Smith KD, Aderem A, Skerrett SJ: Altered inflammatory responses in Toll-like receptor 5 deficient mice infected with Legionella pneumophila. J Immunol 2007; 179:6981-6987.
Lembo A, Pelletier M, Iyer R, Timko M, Dudda JC, West TE, Wilson CB, Hajjar AM, Skerrett SJ: Administration of a synthetic TLR4 agonist protects mice from pneumonic tularemia. J Immunol 2008; 180:7574-7581.
West TE, Pelletier MR, Majure MC, Lembo A, Hajjar AM, Skerrett SJ: Inhalation of Francisella novicida ?mglA causes replicative infection that elicits innate and adaptive responses but is not protective against invasive pneumonic tularemia. Microbes Infect 2008; 10:773-780.
West TE, Ernst RK, Jansson MJ, Skerrett SJ: Activation of Toll-like receptors by Burkholderia pseudomallei. BMC Immunology 2008; 9:46.
West TE, Liggitt HD, Frevert CW, Skerrett SJ: Inhalation of B. thailandensis results in lethal necrotizing pneumonia in mice: a surrogate model for pneumonic melioidosis. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2008; 102 (S1):S31-S38.
West TE, Hawn TR, Skerrett SJ: Toll-like receptor signaling in airborne Burkholderia thailandensis infection. Infect Immun 2009; 77:5612-5622.
Morris AE, Liggitt HD, Hawn TR, Skerrett SJ: The role of Toll-like receptor 5 in the innate immune response to acute Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2009; 297:L112-L119.
Active Funding
Funding Source |
Project Title |
Invesigator |
Funding Dates |
Defense Threat Reduction Agency |
Comprehensive “omics” for Discovery of Robust Host Response Markers for Human Biothreats |
PI of subcontract |
6/2008 - 6/2011 |
NIAID |
Animal Models of Infectious Diseases |
Project PI |
3/2010 - 3/2017 |
NIEH |
Role of ENP Physicochemical Properties on Biokinetics and Response in Mice |
Co-Investigator |
10/2010 - 9/2015 |
Current Mentees
Name |
Position |
Project |
T. Eoin West, MD |
Assistant Prof |
Pulmonary host defense in melioidosis |
Past Mentees
Name |
Degree |
Current Position |
Location |
Amy Morris |
MD |
Clinical Instructor |
University of Washington |
Annalisa Lembo |
PhD |
Research Scientist |
Seattle Childrens |
Tanyalak Parimon |
MD |
Assistant Professor |
University of Washington |
Iam Smith |
MD |
Staff Physician |
Virginia Mason Clinic |
David Park |
MD |
Associate Professor |
University of Washington |