David R. Brown - CVM - Veterinary and Biomedical Services, University of Minnesota

Research Interests
The intestinal tract represents the largest surface area in the body that is exposed to the external environment. It contains the largest mass of immune cells as well as an extensive nervous system which modulates mucosal and mechanical functions and operates independently of the peripheral and central nervous systems. A major target for infection, the intestine is an important model for the study of neuroimmune and host-pathogen interactions. Dr. Brown's laboratory is investigating the mechanisms by which the enteric nervous system and neuroactive drugs of abuse modulate innate and adaptive immunity to pathogens in the intestinal tract and how pathogens alter the function of intestinal nerves. Several investigations are underway to explore: (1) neuroimmune cross-talk in Peyer's patches, a principal inductive site for mucosal immunity; (2) the neuroregulation of secretory immunoglobulin A secretion and other host protective molecules by the intestinal epithelium; (3) the modulatory roles of enteric neurons in mucosal interactions with Salmonella enterica and E. coli O157:H7; and (4) enteric neurons expressing opioid or cannabinoid receptors that modulate mucosal function. Hypothesis-driven research in Dr. Brown's laboratory is conducted primarily at the molecular, cellular, and tissue levels using a variety of cutting-edge methodological approaches. His laboratory offers graduate training in neuromolecular pharmacology, neuroimmunology, and mucosal biology.

Recent Publications
(For a comprehensive list of Dr. Brown's recent publications, refer to PubMed, a service provided by the National Library of Medicine.)

Green, B.T., Brown, D.R., Differential effects of clathrin and actin inhibitors on internalization of Escherichia coli and Salmonella choleraesuis in porcine jejunal Peyer’s patches. Vet. Microbiol., 113:117-122, 2006.

Chen, C., Lyte, M., Stevens, M. P., Vulchanova, L., Brown, D.R., Mucosally-directed adrenergic nerves and sympathomimetic drugs enhance non-intimate adherence of escherichia coli O157:H7 to porcine cecum and colon. Eur. J. Pharmacol., 539: 116-124, 2006.

Brown, D.R., Price, L.D., Characterization of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium DT104 invasion in an epithelial cell line (IPEC J2) from porcine small intestine. Vet. Microbiol., 120:328-333, 2007.

Schmidt, L.D., Xie, Y.H., Vulchanova, L., Lyte, M., Brown, D.R., Autonomic neurotransmitters modulate immunoglobulin A secretion in porcine colonic mucosa. J. Neuroimmunol., 185: 20-28, 2007.

Vulchanova, L., Casey, M.A., Crabb, G.W., Kennedy, W.R., Brown, D.R., Anatomical evidence for enteric neuro-immune interactions in Peyer’s patches. J. Neuroimmunol., 185: 64-74, 2007.

Schreiber, K.L., Price, L.D., Brown, D.R., Evidence for neuromodulation of enteropathogen invasion in the intestinal mucosa. J. Neuroimmune Pharmacol., 2:329-337, 2007.

Schmidt, L.D., L.J. Kohrt and D.R. Brown: Comparison of growth phase on Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium invasion in an epithelial cell line (IPEC J2) and mucosal explants from porcine small intestine. Comparat. Immunol. Microbiol. Infect. Dis., 31:63-69, 2008.

Brown, D.R., Price, L.D., Catecholamines and sympathomimetic drugs decrease early Salmonella Typhimurium uptake into Peyer’s patches of porcine jejunum. FEMS Immunol. Med. Microbiol., in press.

Honors and Awards
Carl J. Norden Distinguished Teacher Award (Smith Kline Beecham Animal Health), 1994.