Brown, Michael G.
Primary Appointment
Professor, Medicine: Nephrology
Education
- BS, Biochemistry, Virginia Tech University
- PhD, Immunology, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University
- Postdoc, Immunology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine
- Postdoc, Immunology, Washington University
Contact Information
PO Box 801386
MR6, Rm 2714A
Charlottesville, Virginia 22908
Telephone: 434-924-5106
Fax: 434-924-1221
Email: mgb4n@virginia.edu
Research Disciplines
Bioinformatics and Genomics, Biotechnology, Cancer Biology, Genetics, Immunology, Infectious Diseases/Biodefense, Microbiology, Molecular Biology
Research Interests
Natural Killer Cells, Viral Immunity, Genetic basis of host resistance to viral infection, Tumor immunity, Immune cell regulation
Research Description
A main goal of research in the Brown Lab centers on the genetics of host resistance to viral infection, and the role of natural killer (NK) cells in viral immunity. We aim to understand (1) how genetic variation shapes both innate and adaptive immune cell features, and how these differences further affect immune cells needed to detect and clear viral pathogens; (2) how NK cell effector function is acquired and regulated by both genetic and environmental influences; and (3) how NK responses to immune stimulation can specifically regulate adaptive immune outcomes.
We have learned that the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) exerts substantial control over NK cells, and we have developed several informative mouse models to explore this effect in much greater depth. We found that MHC class I-dependent education (also referred to as licensing), affects the capacity of NK cells to mediate virus-specific clearance, in addition to its effect on NK cell functionality. We hypothesize that licensing impacts NK-mediated responsiveness to cancer cells, as well. While the molecular basis of licensing remains poorly defined, the model systems and resources now developed in the lab provide an outstanding way to explore the basis and vital roles of NK cells in viral or tumor immunity.