Protein Adducts and Immune Response
Summary: The non-enzymatic post-translational modification of proteins following exposure to reactive aldehydes is well known as a mechanism for altering the immune system's response to proteins. In addition, these types of protein modifications have been hypothesized as key events in the development of autoimmune components of specific diseases such as ethanol-mediated cirrhosis of the the liver. The focus of my previous research has been on the synthesis and characterization of 4-substituted-1,4-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicarbaldehyde protein adducts likely to be formed following exposure to cigarette smoke and evaluating the response of the immune system to these modified proteins with an emphasis on the breaking of immunological tolerance.
Additional Information: Information on the adducts associated with cigarette smoke can be found in the publication here.