The history of LIAI is steeped in groundbreaking research into allergies. Dr. Kimishige Ishizaka, the Institute's first Scientific Director, received worldwide recognition for his discovery of the IgE protein. The spirit of Dr. Ishizaka's innovation continues at LIAI as today's renowned scientists use molecular tools to unravel the remaining mysteries of allergic reactions, seeking to develop tools to treat and prevent allergies.

BREAKTHROUGHS

Role of LIGHT Molecule for Remodeling in the Lung
Michael Croft, Ph.D., a researcher at the La Jolla Institute for Allergy & Immunology, has discovered a molecule’s previously unknown role as a major trigger for airway remodeling, which impairs lung function, making the molecule a promising therapeutic target for chronic asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and several other lung conditions.  A scientific paper on Dr. Croft’s finding was published online in the prestigious journal, Nature Medicine.

Discovery of an Enzyme - Protein Kinase C Theta
Amnon Altman Ph.D. has tenaciously worked on how T lymphocyte cells spring into action when they encounter an infected cell. This has turned up several important findings, most notably the discovery of an enzyme – protein kinase C theta, which may hold the key to controlling immune response. "If we understand the process of T cell activation, it will allow us to rationally design treatments aimed at either boosting an immune response, such as to fight cancer, or to suppress an unwanted immune attack on normal cells, which occurs in autoimmune disease."

Discovery of Pivotal Role of Protein OX40 Ligand in Treatment of Asthma - Major Milestone
A major asthma discovery by a researcher at the La Jolla Institute for Allergy & Immunology has been licensed by MedImmune, a leading innovation-focused biotechnology company and wholly owned subsidiary of AstraZeneca PLC.  MedImmune licensed the discovery to explore its use in the development of a potential biologics drug for treating asthma.  Under the agreement, MedImmune was granted exclusive intellectual property rights to the discovery, which demonstrated the pivotal role of a protein called the OX40 ligand in asthma.  The finding was made by the laboratory of La Jolla Institute scientist Michael Croft, Ph.D., and marked a major milestone in asthma research.

RESEARCHERS AND THEIR LABS

Amnon Altman, Ph.D.'s work focuses on the body's millions of  T lymphocytes — soldier-like white blood cells that constantly circulate and destroy invading infectious or damaged cells.  They are essential to our survival against infection and disease.  Dr. Altman has pioneered work on how these cells spring into action when they encounter an infected cell.  He looks at a cascade of complex biochemical actions, which allow the T lymphocyte to mount an effective immune response.  His studies get at the most fundamental level of their behavior – a process so intricate that it takes years to decipher.

Michael Croft, Ph.D. heads a molecular immunology lab that operates with two, interlocking objectives, "One: we are in basic research, doing simple models of immune responses to understand how these molecules function. And the other half is: we are taking the different disease models and then saying, 'Now, therapeutically, how relevant is this?'" Dr. Croft is working in conjunction with a pharmaceutical company to develop an innovative therapy based on drugs that block OX40, a protein that controls bronchial inflammation in the course of an asthma attack and is also a member of a family of proteins that play important roles in the functioning of the immune system. Treatments based around OX40 have the potential to affect not only asthma, but a broad range of immune system disorders.

Toshiaki Kawakami, M.D., Ph.D. and his laboratory are investigating several aspects of the molecular biology of allergies to understand how to stop these diseases. The laboratory is examining the molecular circuitry of mast cells, as they are chiefly responsible for regulating the chemical messengers that trigger the effects of an allergic reaction. Dr. Kawakami is also studying the characteristics of IgE that help it to stand apart from other types of antibodies as uniquely able to cause an allergic reaction.

Yun-Cai Liu, Ph.D. is studying regulatory T cells and examining their function in relation to allergic asthma. Liu's work has identified critical components necessary to generate T cells, which can be used to inhibit the allergic responses that trigger asthma attacks.

Bjoern Peters, Ph.D. is taking a very close look at allergens (allergic disease causing agents) and how they interact with the human body. The human body is constantly bombarded with allergens; they are simply everywhere. An immune system functioning properly should meet these allergens with a T-Cell (white blood cell types that aid the immune system) response that downplays the reaction to the allergen. However, it's a bit of a mystery what it is about the allergens and the immune system that allow allergic disease to take hold in certain individuals.

At LIAI, Dr. Alessandro Sette's research focuses on the identification of epitopes, working to understand how vaccines should be constructed. The team's work is heavily focused on emerging disease threats or bioterror threats, such as SARS, arena viruses, smallpox and flu viruses. Dr. Sette's group is also leading an effort to bring a premier collaboration resource to the scientific community. The NIAID has awarded Dr. Sette a long-term contract to design and produce a national Immune Epitope Database (IEDB) to aide in the acceleration of vaccine-development on a global scale.