Chu Laboratory Search Clinical Trials Find a Researcher Order a Test Our lab’s mission is to understand the mechanisms of airway bacterial infections in patients with asthma or COPD, and to discover novel therapeutic approaches to restore host defense functions. We have identified impaired Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) signaling, and reduced production of host defense molecule short palate, lung, and nasal epithelium clone 1 (SPLUNC1) in allergic airways. Furthermore, we have found that cigarette smoke exposure dampens airway epithelial innate immune responses to bacteria such as Mycoplasma pneumonaie and Moraxella catarrhalis. Lab Resources and Services The Chu Laboratory offers several unique research methods and animal models for pulmonary basic science research. Learn more. Hong Wei Chu, MD + × Hong Wei Chu, MD Hong Wei Chu, MD, is a pulmonologist at National Jewish Health. Dr. Chu serves as Head of the Basic Science Section. Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs for Research Infrastructure Head, Basic Science Section Professor Department of Medicine Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine View Full Profile Personnel Principal Investigator Hong Wei Chu, MD Post-doc Researchers Kris Genelyn Dimasuay, PhD Christina Lisk, PhD Nastaran Mues, PhD Graduate Student Reena Berman Research Associates Taylor Crue Nicole Pavelka Niccolette Schaunaman Collaborators Publications Chu HW, Gally F, Thaikoottathil J, Janssen-Heininger YM, Wu Q, Zhang G, Reisdorph N, Case S, Minor M, Smith S, Jiang D, Michels N, Simon G, Martin RJ. SPLUNC1 regulation in airway epithelial cells: role of Toll-like receptor 2 signaling. Respir Res. 2010 Nov 5;11(1):155. Abstract Michels NM, Chu HW, Lafasto SC, Case SR, Minor MN, Martin RJ. Mast cells protect against airway Mycoplasma pneumoniae under allergic conditions. Clin Exp Allergy 2010;40:1406-1413. Abstract More Publications