Laura Hale, MD, PhD

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• Breast Cancer

Department / Division:
Pathology / Pathology

Address:
DUMC 3712
Durham, NC 27710

Appointment Telephone:
(919) 684-4771

Office Telephone:
(919) 684-4771

Fax Telephone:
(919) 684-4445

• M.D., Duke University Medical School, North Carolina, 1991

• Pathology, Duke University Medical School, North Carolina, 1991-95

Clinical Interests:
Pathology of immunodeficiency diseases, breast cancer

Research Interests:
My laboratory employs techniques of cellular and molecular biology to study mechanisms responsible for the generation of both normal immune responses and immune-mediated diseases. Research in the laboratory is mainly focused on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), an immune-mediated disorder that is hypothesized to result from the abnormal immune response of a genetically susceptible host to the antigens derived from enteric bacteria. Development of optimal treatments for disease requires a detailed understanding of mechanisms of disease pathogenesis. Thus current work in the laboratory is aimed at understanding triggers of intestinal inflammation and mechanisms of inflammation-associated neoplasia, in addition to developing novel therapies for IBD treatment. Ongoing research also includes investigating mechanisms that determine the immunogenicity of oral antigens, to develop novel adjuvants for oral vaccines. This work has relevance for pathogenesis and treatment of infectious diseases affecting the gastrointestinal tract, as well as for inflammatory bowel disease.

Representative Publications:
Hale LP, Greer PK, Sempowski GD. Bromelain treatment alters leukocyte expression of cell surface molecules involved in cellular adhesion and activation. Clin Immunol. 2002 Aug;104(2):183-90. (2002) Abstract

Hale LP, Gottfried MR, Swidsinski A. Piroxicam treatment of IL-10-deficient mice enhances colonic epithelial apoptosis and mucosal exposure to intestinal bacteria.  Inflamm Bowel Dis.  2005 Dec;11(12):1060-9. (2005) Abstract

Hale LP. Proteolytic activity and immunogenicity of oral bromelain within the gastrointestinal tract of mice.  Int Immunopharmacol.  2004 Feb;4(2):255-64. (2004) Abstract

Swidsinski A, Weber J, Loening-Baucke V, Hale LP, Lochs H. Spatial organization and composition of the mucosal flora in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.  J Clin Microbiol.  2005 Jul;43(7):3380-9. (2005) Abstract

Swidsinski A, Mendling W, Loening-Baucke V, Ladhoff A, Swidsinski S, Hale LP, Lochs H. Adherent biofilms in bacterial vaginosis.  Obstet Gynecol.  2005 Nov;106(5 Pt 1):1013-23. (2005) Abstract

Hale LP, Greer PK, Trinh CT, James CL. Proteinase activity and stability of natural bromelain preparations.  Int Immunopharmacol.  2005 Apr;5(4):783-93. (2005) Abstract

Swidsinski A, Loening-Baucke V, Lochs H, Hale LP. Spatial organization of bacterial flora in normal and inflamed intestine: a fluorescence in situ hybridization study in mice.  World J Gastroenterol.  2005 Feb 28;11(8):1131-40. (2005) Abstract

Hale LP, Greer PK, Trinh CT, Gottfried MR. Treatment with oral bromelain decreases colonic inflammation in the IL-10-deficient murine model of inflammatory bowel disease.  Clin Immunol.  2005 Aug;116(2):135-42. (2005) Abstract