David P. Huston, MD

Education and Training

• Wofford College, Spartanburg South Carolina, BS, 1969
• Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Winston-Salem North Carolina, MD, 1973

Research Interests

• Immunobiology of Allergic Inflammation Dr. David Huston is professor of medicine and of microbial & molecular pathogenesis, vice dean for the School of Medicine, and director for the Clinical Science and Translational Research Institute, Texas A&M University Health Science Center. The overall goal of his laboratory is to understand mechanisms regulating inflammation and thereby develop strategies for modulating immune responses. One project focuses on the role of the cytokine thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) as the master switch in the pathobiology of allergic inflammation and asthma. The role of allergens and respiratory viruses on the induction of TSLP transcription by mast cells and epithelial cells is being studied in vitro and in human subjects. A second project focuses on defining the structure and function of interleukin-5 (IL-5), which is an eosinophil-specific cytokine that is important in the pathogenesis of allergies and asthma. These studies address the interactions between IL-5 and its heterodimeric receptor, signal transduction, and regulation of signaling. A third project focuses on the mechanisms regulating mast cell activation. Studies address the interactions between human mast cells, T cells, and eosinophils, utilizing in vitro systems and human subjects. These studies should provide insight into physiologic mechanisms regulating allergic inflammation and enable development of novel therapeutics. The laboratory is dynamic with graduate school and medical school trainees. Funding for these studies include a NIH/NIAID Asthma and Allergic Diseases Cooperative Research Center grant. Huston serves on the NIH Hypersensitivity Autoimmunity and Immune-mediated Diseases Study Section, and on the board of directors for the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, the American Board of Allergy and Immunology, and the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Awards, Recognition and Service

• Health and Public Policy Committee conferred by American Board of Medical Specialties - (Chicago, Illinois, United States)
• Residency Review Committee for Allergy and Immunology conferred by Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education - (Chicago, Illinois, United States)
• Board of Directors conferred by American Board of Internal Medicine - (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States)
• Board of Directors conferred by American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology - (Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States)
• Medical Alumni Association Distinguished Achievement Award conferred by Wake Forest University - (Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States)