Education

• PDF – University of Arizona 2000-2005
  
• PhD – McGill University 1995-2000
  
• BSc – McGill University 1991-1995

Research Interests

Our laboratory investigates molecular mechanisms of the allergic inflammatory process underlying disorders such as asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis. Currently we are studying the regulation of CRTh2 (chemotactic receptor homologous molecule expressed on Th2 cells). This gene is a marker for the Th2 lymphocytes expressing IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13, characteristic of allergic inflammation. CRTh2 is also a receptor for prostaglandin D2 (PGD2), a lipid mediator released at the site of exposure by allergen activated mast cells. PGD2-CRTh2 signaling perpetuates the allergic cascade by inducing further expression of Th2 cytokines.


We are characterizing transcriptional regulation of this gene, ie determining the transcription factors involved in promoter activation and the cis-regulatory elements within and flanking the gene that participate in gene regulation.We have also identified a number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CRTh2 that predispose individuals to develop allergic disorders. We are now performing functional analysis to determine what impact these SNPs have on CRTh2 regulation.

Highlighted Publications

• Cameron L., S.R. Durham, H. Gould, M. Jacobson, K. Masuyama, S. Julliusson, O. Lowhagen, E. Minshall and Q. Hamid. 1998. Expression of IL-4, CE and IE RNA in Nasal Mucosa in Patients with Seasonal Rhinitis: Effect of Topical Corticosteroids. J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. 101:330-6.
  
• Minshall E., R. Schleimer, L. Cameron, M. Minnicozzi, R.W. Egan, D.H. Eidelman, Q. Hamid. 1998. IL-5 mRNA and Immunoreactivity in the Bone Marrow of Sensitized Balb/c Mice Following Allergen Challenge. Am. J. Resp. Crit. Care Med. 158(3):951-7.
  
• Cameron L., R. Taha, A. Tsicopoulos, M. Kurimoto, R. Olivenstein, B. Wallaert, E. Minshall and Q. Hamid. 1999. Airway Epithelial Expression of IL-18. Increased Expression in LPS Challenged Mice and Sarcoidosis Patients; Decreased Expression in OVA Challenged Mice and Patients with Asthma. Eur. Respir. J. 14:553-559.
  
• Ihaku D., L. Cameron, M. Suzuki, S. Molet, J. Martin and Q. Hamid. 1999. Montelukast, a Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist, Inhibits the Late Airway Response to Antigen, Airway Eosinophilia, and IL-5-Expressing Cells in Brown Norway Rats. J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. 1147-54.
  
• Cameron L., P. Christodoulopoulos, F. Lavigne, Y. Nakamura, D. Eidelman, A. McEuen, A. Walls, J. Tavernier, E. Minshall, R. Moqbel and Q. Hamid. 2000. Evidence for Local Eosinophil Differentiation within Allergic Nasal Mucosa: Inhibition with Soluble IL-5 Receptor. J. Immunol. 164:1538-1545.
  
• Cameron L, Q. Hamid, E. Wright, S. Frenkiel, F. Lavigne, S. Durham and H. Gould. 2000. Local Synthesis of Elipson Germline Transcripts, IL-4 and IL-13 in Allergic Nasal Mucosa after Ex Vivo Allergen Exposure. J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. 106:46-52.
  
• Christodoulopoulos, P., L. Cameron, Y. Nakamura, C. Lemiere, S. Muro, M. Dugas, L.P. Boulet, M. Laviolette, R. Olivenstein and Q. Hamid. 2001. Th2 Cytokine-Associated Transcription Factors in Atopic and Non-Atopic Asthma: Evidence for Differential Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 6 (STAT6) Expression. J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. 107:586-591.
  
• Lavigne F, L. Cameron, P. Renzi, J.F. Planet, P. Christodoulopoulos, B. Lamkioued and Q. Hamid. 2002. Intrasinus Administration of Topical Budesonide to Allergic Patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis Following Surgery. The Laryngoscope. 112: 858-864.
  
• Cameron L, A. Soussi Gounni, S. Frenkiel, F. Lavigne, D. Vercelli and Q. Hamid. 2003. SESu and SESg Switch Circles in Human Nasal Mucosa Following Ex Vivo Allergen Challenge: Evidence for Direct as well as Sequential Class Switch Recombination. J. Immunol. 171:3816-3822.
  
• Cameron L, R. B. Webster, M. Kabesch, D.A. Stern, H. Ramachandran, L.Z. Yu, W. Klimecki and D. Vercelli. 2006. Th2 Cell-selective Enhancement of Human IL13 Transcription by IL13-1112C>T, a Polymorphism Associated with Allergic Inflammation. J. Immunol. 177: 8633-8642.
  
• Marcet-Palacios, M. Ulanova, F. Duta, L. Puttagunta, S. Munoz, D. Gibbings, M. Radomski, L. Cameron, I. Mayers, D.A. Befus. The Transcription Factor Wilms Tumor 1 Regulates Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 through a Nitric Oxide-Mediated Pathway. J. Immunol. 179: 256-265.
• Quapp, R., N. Madsen, and L. Cameron. 2007. Characterization of the human CRTh2 promoter: Transcriptional regulation by GATA-3. Bioch Biophys Res Comm. 363:948-953.
• Schedel*, M., L. Pinto*, B. Schaub, P. Rosenstiel, D. Cherkasov, L. Cameron, N. Klopp, T. Illig, C. Vogelberg, S. Weiland, E. von Mutius, M. Lohoff and M. Kabesch. 2007. IRF-1 Gene Variations Influence IgE Regulation and Atopy. Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 177:613-621.  *contributed equally
• Cameron L., M. Depner, M. Kormann, N. Klopp, T. Illig, E. von Mutius and M. Kabesch. Genetic variation in CRTh2 influences development of allergic phenotypes. (submitted)
   

Current Sources of Funding

• Canadian Institute of Health Research
• Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research
• Canadian Lung Association

Current Research Personnel

• Chris Tse (Laboratory Manager/Technologist)
• Theresa  Brooks (Laboratory Technologist)
  
• Eduardo Campos Alberto (Postdoctoral Fellow)
  
• Emily MacLean (MSc Student)
  
• Aaron MacDonald (MSc student)

Career Oportunities

Positions are available for graduate students and post-doctoral fellows. 

e-mail: lisa.cameron@ualberta.ca