Mary Foster, MD
Department / Division
Medicine /
Medicine-Nephrology
Research Interests
Research in the Foster Lab focuses on autoimmune glomerulonephritis, a
major cause of acute and chronic kidney disease worldwide.
Our experiments explore the origins and regulation of the pathogenic immune
responses that underlie glomerulonephritis, and are designed to: identify
tolerance mechanisms that regulate nephritogenic lymphocytes, with an emphasis
on B cells and autoantibodies; determine the molecular basis of tolerance;
identify defects in immune regulation and the contributions of genetic autoimmune
predisposition; and identify environmental disease triggers. These experiments use novel
models relevant to immune nephritis in both kidney-restricted and systemic autoimmunity
(Goodpasture syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus, respectively), that are amenable to
mechanistic dissection using basic immunological, molecular biological, and
proteomics approaches. An ultimate goal is to advance novel diagnostic and therapeutic
approaches to improve the lives of patients.
This faculty member has no reported relationships with industry.
Representative Publications
Clark, AG; Mackin, KM; Foster, MH. Tracking Differential Gene Expression in MRL/MpJ Versus C57BL/6 Anergic B Cells: Molecular Markers of Autoimmunity. Biomarker Insights. 2008;3:335-350.
(2008)
Abstract
Foster, MH. Novel targets for immunotherapy in glomerulonephritis. Biologics: Targets and Therapy. 2008;2:531-545.
(2008)
Abstract
Zhang, Y; Su, SC; Hecox, DB; Brady, GF; Mackin, KM; Clark, AG; Foster, MH. Central tolerance regulates B cells reactive with Goodpasture antigen alpha3(IV)NC1 collagen. Journal of Immunology. 2008;181:6092-6100.
(2008)
Abstract
Clark, AG; Chen, S; Zhang, H; Brady, GF; Ungewitter, EK; Bradley, JK; Sackey, FN; Foster, MH. Multifunctional regulators of cell growth are differentially expressed in anergic murine B cells. Molecular Immunology. 2007;44:1274-1285.
(2007)
Abstract
Foster, MH. T cells and B cells in lupus nephritis. Seminars in Nephrology. 2007;27:47-58.
(2007)
Abstract
Foster, MH; Zhang, Y; Clark, AG. Deconstructing B cell tolerance to basement membranes. Archivum Immunologiae et Therapiae Experimentalis. 2006;54:227-237.
(2006)
Abstract
Brady, GF; Congdon, KL; Clark, AG; Sackey, FN; Rudolph, EH; Radic, MZ; Foster, MH. Kappa editing rescues autoreactive B cells destined for deletion in mice transgenic for a dual specific anti-laminin Ig. Journal of Immunology. 2004;172:5313-5321.
(2004)
Abstract
Rudolph, EH; Congdon, KL; Sackey, FN; Fitzsimons, MM; Foster, MH. Humoral autoimmunity to basement membrane antigens is regulated in C57BL/6 and MRL/MpJ mice transgenic for anti-laminin Ig receptors. Journal of Immunology. 2002;168:5943-5953.
(2002)
Abstract
Fitzsimons, MM; Foster, MH. The nephritogenic immune response. Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension. 1997;6:267-275.
(1997)
Abstract
Foster, MH; Kieber-Emmons, T; Ohliger, M; Madaio, MP. Molecular and structural analysis of nuclear localizing anti-DNA lupus antibodies. Immunologic Research: a selective reference to current research and practice. 1994;13:186-206.
(1994)
Abstract
Foster, MH; Sabbaga, J; Line, SR; Thompson, KS; Barrett, KJ; Madaio, MP. Molecular analysis of spontaneous nephrotropic anti-laminin antibodies in an autoimmune MRL-lpr/lpr mouse. Journal of Immunology. 1993;151:814-824.
(1993)
Abstract
Foster, MH; MacDonald, M; Barrett, KJ; Madaio, MP. VH gene analysis of spontaneously activated B cells in adult MRL-lpr/lpr mice. J558 bias is not limited to classic lupus autoantibodies. Journal of Immunology. 1991;147:1504-1511.
(1991)
Abstract
