CVRI Scientists

George H. Caughey, M.D.
Professor of Medicine; Chief, Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine Section, VAMC

Research Interests:
Regulation of lung and airway function by mast cell, leukocyte and epithelial proteases

Summary:
The laboratory's main goal is to understand the roles of enzymes released into the lungs and breathing tubes by mast cells and related white blood cells. Our studies suggest that these enzymes-specifically, tryptases and chymases, which alter the properties of selected target proteins by disrupting links in chains of amino acids-may be important in asthma, bronchitis, lung infections and diseases characterized by lung shrinkage and excessive scarring. The laboratory is also interested in a related enzyme, prostasin, which may regulate airway water content in cystic fibrosis, and in several enzymes that may promote airway scarring and recurrence of breathing problems in recipients of transplanted lungs.