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. Current Projects Effects of Allergic Inflammation on TLR2 Signaling and Mycoplasma Infection SPLUNC1 Protein in Host Defense Against Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Infection Supplement Host Defense Functions of Airway Epithelial Cells in COPD Hong Wei Chu, MD + × Hong Wei Chu, MD Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs for Research Infrastructure Head, Basic Science Section Professor Department of Medicine Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine Hong Wei Chu, MD, is a pulmonologist at National Jewish Health. Dr. Chu serves as Head of the Basic Science Section. View Full Profile Personnel Principal Investigator Hong Wei Chu, MD Associate Professor Azzeddine Dakhama, PhD Post-doc Researchers Reem Al-Mubarak, PhD Shaan Gellatly, PhD Kris Genelyn Dimasuay, PhD Graduate Student Reena Berman Research Associates Niccolette Schaefer Nicole Roberts Amelia Sanchez 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
Sign Up Today! Our monthly newsletter includes expert health tips, recent research findings, and news from National Jewish Health. Go Submitting...