Dr. Brigitte Gomperts, M.D.
Assistant Professor

email Dr. Gomperts

My research interest is in the field of developmental biology and how developmental processes are recapitulated in healing and repair. One of my major interests is the development of different cell types, such as ciliated cells and mucus cells, in the pulmonary epithelium. These cell types are essential for mucociliary clearance and therefore respiration. An inability to clear mucus results in airway obstruction, atelectasis and infections.

Patients with hematologic and oncologic diseases are at high risk of pulmonary complications associated with abnormalities of mucociliary clearance. Respiratory infections, like RSV, are very common in pediatric patients and can be life threatening in the immunosuppressed. Additionally, about 30% of patients with sickle cell disease also have asthma and abnormal mucociliary clearance.

We have determined the crucial role that the apical cytoskeleton plays in the development of ciliated cells of the pulmonary epithelium and shown that respiratory diseases like RSV infection and asthma result in breakdown of the apical cytoskeleton of ciliated cells with a consequent loss of cilia. Studies are in progress to further identify the molecular mechanisms regulating development of differentiated pulmonary cell types as well as to evaluate potential agents to stabilize the apical cytoskeleton, prevent loss of cilia, and improve mucociliary clearance.

Recent Publication:

Gomperts BN, Gong-Cooper X and Hackett BP. Foxj1 regulates basal body anchoring to the cytoskeleton of ciliated pulmonary epithelial cells. Journal of Cell Science, 2004 Mar 15;117(Pt 8):1329-37.

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