Graduate Studies Faculty
Allison Fryer, PhD
Programs:
Neuroscience Graduate ProgramPhysiology & Pharmacology
Program in Molecular & Cellular Biosciences
Research Interests:
Asthma, neural plasticity, inflammation, allergic mechanisms, physiological responses in the lungs to ozone inhalation, viral infection and exposure to organophosphate pesticides. » PubMed ListingPreceptor Rotations
Dr. Fryer has not indicated availability for preceptor rotations at this time.Faculty Mentorship
Dr. Fryer is available as a mentor for 2012-2013.Profile
Research Interests
I have shown that airway hyperreactivity, that is similar to asthma, is accompanied by recruitment of eosinophil inflammatory cells to airway nerves. These eosinophils are activated and release a preformed protein, eosinophil major basic protein, which binds to and blocks M2 muscarinic receptors on nerves. M2 blockade increases neurotransmitter release and increases bronchoconstriction, similar to asthma. My lab is examining what mechanisms underlie recruitment and activation of eosinophils at the autonomic nerves in the lungs. We are also working to understand how exposure to viral infection, organophosphate pesticides, ozone, or allergens all induce loss of M2 receptor function in the nerves, and the role of eosinophils in the resulting airway hyperreactivity.
Collaborations include:
David Jacoby MD (Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine). Viral infections and biochemical interactions of inflammatory mediators with M2 muscarinic receptors.
Current Graduate Students: Kalmia Smith Buels (joined 2006) and Sarah Vogel (joined 2010). Recent Graduates: Kirsten Blensly (PhD 2010) Postdoc NIEHS, NC. Norah Verbout (PhD 2008) postdoc at Harvard University, MA. Mehdi Hazari (PhD 2005) Faculty at EPA.
Recent Publications
Proskocil BJ, Bruun DA, Thompson CM, Fryer AD, Lein PJ.. Organophosphorus pesticides decrease M2 muscarinic receptor function in guinea pig airway nerves via indirect mechanisms. PLoS One. 2010 May 10;5(5):e10562
Moreno-Vinasco L, Verbout NG, Fryer AD, Jacoby DB. Retinoic acid prevents virus-induced airway hyperreactivity and M2 receptor dysfunction via anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. 2009 Aug;297(2):L340-6. Epub 2009 May 22
Verhein KC, Jacoby DB, Fryer AD. IL-1 receptors mediate persistent, but not acute, airway hyperreactivity to ozone in guinea pigs. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. 2008 Dec;39(6):730-8. Epub 2008 Jul 10.
Verbout NG, Jacoby DB, Gleich GJ, Fryer AD Atropine-enhanced, antigen challenge-induced airway hyperreactivity in guinea pigs is mediated by eosinophils and nerve growth factor. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. 2009 Aug;297(2):L228-37. Epub 2009 May 15
Nie Z, Nelson CS, Jacoby DB, Fryer AD. Expression and regulation of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 on airway parasympathetic nerves. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2007 Jun;119(6):1415-22.
Verbout NG, Lorton JK, Jacoby DB, Fryer AD. Atropine pretreatment enhances airway hyperreactivity in antigen-challenged guinea pigs through an eosinophil-dependent mechanism.
Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. 2007 May;292(5):L1126-35.
Fryer AD, Stein LH, Nie Z, Curtis DE, Evans CM, Hodgson ST, Jose PJ, Belmonte KE, Fitch E, Jacoby DB.Neuronal eotaxin and the effects of CCR3 antagonist on airway hyperreactivity and M2 receptor dysfunction.J Clin Invest. 2006 Jan;116(1):228-36.
Yost BL, Gleich GJ, Jacoby DB, Fryer AD. The changing role of eosinophils in long-term hyperreactivity following a single ozone exposure.Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. 2005 Oct;289(4):L627-35. Epub 2005 May 27.
