Biography

Education

Research Interests

Our research focuses on the pathophysiology of airway diseases, which are characterized by airway inflammation (e.g., asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). My group developed and uses a highly respected pre-clinical model of allergic asthma (shhep model of asthma). We are particularly interested in developing strategies that intervene in the development and progression of airway inflammation that lead to bronchoconstriction, bronchial hyperreactivity and mucociliary dysfunction.

Our NIEHS Center research is part of a NIEHS-funded PO1 Award to evaluate the airway effects of aerosolized Florida Red Tide Toxins (brevetoxin). Using our animal model of asthma, we are systematically evaluating if "inflamed " (i.e. asthmatic) airways are more responsive to toxin exposure than are the airways of normal animals by comparing the pulmonary responses (both physiologically and on the cellular level) to aerosolized brevetoxins. We are also using this model to test the efficacy of newly synthesized antagonists to brevetoxin. The data generated from these studies will validate the use of this model system to assess adverse airway effects of marine and other environmental toxins.

Recent Publications

Martinez-Salas, J., Mendelssohn, R., Hsiao, B.,Abraham, W.M., and Ahmed, T.: Inhibition of antigen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) by low molecular weight heparins (LMWH): Molecular weight dependence. Am. J. of Respir. Crit. Care Med. 1995, 151:A403.

Sabater, J.R., O'Riordan, T.G., Abraham, W.M., Wanner, A.: Effect of endothelin-1 on tracheal mucous transport. Am. J. of Respir. Crit. Care Med. 1995, 151:A563.

Abraham, W.M.: Animal models of asthma. In: Asthma & Rhinitis. Busse, W.W. and Holgate, S.T., Eds. Oxford: Blackwell Science. pp. 1205-1227, 2000

Abraham, W.M., Gill, A., Ahmed, A., Sielczak, M.W., Lauredo, I.T., Botvinnikova, Y., Ko-Chung, L., Pepinsky, B., Leone, D.R., Lobb, R.R., and Adams, S.P.: A small molecule tight binding inhibitor of the integrin "4$1 blocks antigen-induced airway responses and inflammation in experimental asthma in sheep. Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 162: 603-611, 2000.

Scuri, M., Forteza, R., Lauredo, I., Sabater, J.R., Botvinnikova, Y., Allegra, L., and Abraham, W.M.: Inhaled porcine pancreatic elastase causes bronchoconstriction via a bradykinin-mediated mechanism. J. Appl. Physiol. 89: 1397-1402, 2000.

Strömberg, T., Adams, J.A.,Abraham, W.M., and Sackner, M.A.: Respiratory drive during carbachol challenge in allergic sheep. Clin. Physiol. (In Press, Jan./2001)

Forteza, R.M., Ahmed, A., Lee, T., and Abraham, W.M.: Secretory Leukocyte Protease Inhibitor, but not Alpha-1 Protease Inhibitor, Blocks Tryptase-induced Bronchoconstriction. Pulm. Pharmacol. Ther. 14(2):107-110, 2001.