Lab Directory

Immunology Laboratory


The Immunology Laboratory has extensive experience performing and interpreting tests for the diagnosis and management of a variety of immune-mediated diseases. Our service laboratory offers tests that evaluate patients with monoclonal gammopathies, infectious diseases and a variety of immunologic diseases such as, autoimmune disorders. We offer consultation to physicians seeking assistance in diagnosing and treating complex or unusual disorders. Additionally, the faculty provides laboratory support for clinical trial studies and vaccine trials.

KEY FACULTY

Barbara Detrick

Barbara Detrick, Ph.D.
Director, Immunology Laboratory and Cytokine Laboratory
Primary Appointment in Pathology; Joint Appointment in Molecular Microbiology & Immunology (BSPH)
Member, Graduate Program in Immunology; Member, Graduate Program in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology (BSPH)

Clinical interests
My professional interests focus on the discovery and implementation of laboratory tests to evaluate patients with a variety of immunologic disorders

Research interests
My research interests include work on the immunologic and virologic aspects of immune mediated disorders. Currently, I investigate immune and viral factors associated with pathogenic processes within the eye. I have studied the retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell extensively as an important immunoregulatory cell and tracked its role in ocular immunity. Over the years, both animal model systems and a human RPE cell model have been utilized to study viral immunopathology. We have developed a murine coronavirus model, experimental coronavirus retinopathy, which identifies how a virus can trigger a retinal degenerative process. These studies revealed both a genetic predisposition and an immune component in this disease. We are continuing to explore the genetic and molecular basis of this autoimmune component of retinal tissue damage.

RPE cells are key players in the first-line defense against invading organisms. Another area of active research is the exploration of innate immunity within the retina. TLRs are critical recognition receptors in the host defense against microbial pathogens and play pivotal role in innate immunity. Using real time PCR analysis of TLR gene expression, we identified the presence of TLRs (TLRs 1-7 and 9-10) in human RPE cells. Moreover, TLR signaling in the RPE cells results in the production of several cytokines, chemokines and adhesion molecules. We are continuing our studies to further define the role of this epithelial cell in innate and adaptive immune responses.

More recently, research efforts have been focused on role of cytokines in regulating and modulating immune responses and immune mediated diseases. Specifically, I have been studying these molecules in vasculitis, infection, cardiovascular disease & atherosclerosis and transplant rejection. To date, our studies are attempting to bring together the current information concerning the role of cytokines in the development, progression, and complications of these inflammatory conditions and to identify their possible role as biomarkers of early inflammatory disease.

Recent Publications


600 N. Wolfe Street, Meyer B-125A,
Baltimore, MD
Phone: 410-614-3286/301-480-2988
E-mail: bdetrick@jhmi.edu


William M. Baldwin III, M.D., Ph.D.
William M. Baldwin Associate Professor of Pathology; Director, Division of Immunology

Education and Training
M.D., Ph.D., University of Rochester; Residency in Pathology, Peter Bent Brigham Hospital.

Professional Interests
Mechanisms of complement-mediated injury to vessels and tissues, macrophage and platelet interactions with endothelial cells that are stimulated by complement, antibody-mediated mechanisms of transplant rejection.

Notable Accomplishments
Authored more than 100 research articles in medical journals, 20 review articles, five book chapters. Created models of complement deficiency and regulation of complement synthesis. Introduced applications of novel reagents to the diagnosis and prevention of complement mediated tissue injury.

Major Professional Leadership
Editorial Board for Transplantation. Reviewer, Journal of Immunology, American Journal of Pathology, Laboratory Investigation, Human Immunology, Tissue Antigens, Developmental and Comparative Immunology, Clinical Immunology and Immunopathology. Member, Program Committee in the Basic Sciences for the American Society of Transplant Physicians. Ad hoc reviewer of grants for NIH, The Foundation of Medical and Health Research, The Netherlands, and the Kidney Foundation of Canada

Recent publications:

Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions,
720 Rutland Avenue, Ross 664D,
Baltimore, MD 21205;
Phone: 410-614-2053;
Fax: 410-614-3548;
E-mail: wbaldwin@jhmi.edu


Richard L. Humphrey, M.D.
Associate Professor School of Medicine, Department of Pathology

Education and Training
M.D., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Residency and Internship, Internal Medicine, Johns Hopkins Hospital; Fellowship, Biochemistry and Biophysics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Clinical Interests
Nationally known in the field of plasma cell dyscrasias. His work with these disorders has applications for the recognition of multiple myeloma as well as Waldastrom’s macroglobulinemia, primary amyloidois and other lymphoproliferative disorders.

Research Interests
Monoclonal gammopathies, plasma cell dyscrasias, immunoglobulin structure and function, bone marrow transplantation, amyloidosis, hyperviscosity diagnosis and clinical syndromes, cryoglobulinemia, protein electrophoresis and immunofixation.

Notable Accomplishments
Introducedcellulose acetate electrophoresis, immunoglobulin quantitation, immunoelectrophoresis to Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions. Participated in the early studies leading to myeloablative therapy and bone marrow transplantation for multiple myeloma.

Major Professional Leadership
Founding member of the Johns Hopkins Immunology Council. Served on several national task forces for cancer education and nursing research. Medical consultant for the American Red Cross, Plasma Operations. Reviewer for Medicine, Johns Hopkins Medical Journal, and Transplant Proceedings, among other professional journals.

Johns Hopkins Medicine
600 N. Wolfe Street, Meyer B125F
Baltimore, MD 21287;
Phone: 410-955-4382;
Fax:410-614-7314;
E-mail: rhumph@pds.path.jhu.edu


Noel R. Rose, M.D., Ph.D.

Noel R. Rose

Professor of Pathology, Medicine, Molecular Microbiology, and Immunology and Environmental Health Sciences; Director, World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Autoimmune Disorders; Director, Immunologic Disorders Laboratory.

Education and Training

M.D., State University of New York at Buffalo; Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania; Diplomate, American Board of Pathology, American Board of Medical Microbiology, American Board of Medical Laboratory Immunology

Professional Interests
Clinical and diagnostic immunology, autoimmune disease.

Notable Accomplishments
Pioneering research on the etiology and pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Developed new laboratory tests for autoimmune disease and cancer markers.

Major Professional Leadership
Past Secretary-Treasurer and President, Clinical Immunology Society. Past Secretary-Treasurer, Academy of Clinical Laboratory Physicians and Scientists. Board of Governors, American Academy of Microbiologists and the Society of Experimental Biology and Medicine. Fellow, College of American Pathologists. American Academy of Microbiology. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. American Public Health Association. Editor in Chief, Manual of Clinical Laboratory Immunology (5 editions), Clinical Immunology and Immunopathology. Member, editorial board, 21 professional journals. Editor or co-editor, 17 books.

Johns Hopkins Medicine,
720 Rutland Avenue, Ross 659,
Baltimore, MD 21205;
Phone: 410-955-0330 or 410-614-2905
Fax: 410-614-3548 or 410-955-0105
E-mail: nrrose@jhmi.edu


Robert G. Hamilton, Ph.D.

Professor of Medicine and Pathology
Departments of Medicine (Division of Clinical Immunology) and Pathology
Director, Johns Hopkins Dermatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology Reference Laboratory

Education and Training
Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University; Diplomate, American Board of Science in Nuclear Medicine; American Society of Nuclear Medicine; American Board of Medical Laboratory Immunology; American Society for Microbiology.

Clinical Interests
Allergic and Infectious disease; Immunodeficiency

Research Interests
Humoral immune responses to allergens, immunogens (vaccines) and
Assessment of Environments for Allergen burdens
Evaluation of Patients for Drug Allergy; Latex Allergy

Notable Accomplishments
Development of serologic assays for quantitation of allergen-specific human IgE, IgG, IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, and lgG4 antibodies. Co-licensee for natural rubber latex diagnostic puncture skin test reagent. Developer, novel heterologous system employing chimeric antibodies for calibration of human antibody standards. Recognized internationally as expert in humoral immune responses associated with pathology and protection of humans with allergic disease.

Major Professional Leadership
Interagency Committee on Validation of Alternative. Toxicological Methods, NIOSH, CDC. Co-Chair, Diagnostic Allergy Sub-committee, Diagnostic Immunology Committee, National Committee on Clinical Laboratory Standards. Director, Diagnostic Allergy Interlaboratory Quality Control Program for USA. Member, Clinical and Diagnostic Immunology Resource Committee, College of American Pathologists. Editorial board member of numerous professional journals, including Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Journal of Clinical Immunoassay. Journal of Immunoassay. Clinical and Diagnostic Immunology. Reviewer, Journal of Clinical Biochemistry, Clinical Chemistry, Immunology Letters, Journal of Immunology, Allergy, International Archives of Allergy and Immunology.

Recent publications

Johns Hopkins Medicine,
Johns Hopkins Asthma and Allergy Center
5501 Hopkins Bayview Circle
Baltimore, MD 21224
Phone: 410-550-2031
Fax: 410-550-2030
E-mail: rhamilto@jhmi.edu

Maria Teresa Lee, MD

Maria Teresa Lee

Instructor of Pathology
Immunology Laboratory
Department of Pathology
The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutes

Clinical Interests
The major workload of our laboratory comprise of serologic testing, autoimmune profiles and monoclonal gammopathy screenings. We are working toward the implementation of a gamma/IgG ratio, which in complement with the protein electrophoresis report, may aid in the diagnosis of a true monoclonal spike.

Research Interests Our immunology laboratory is focused in the detection of cytokines, chemokines and adhesion molecules in several diseases. I am involved in the research of cytokine profiles on retinal degeneration in animal models. The purpose of these ongoing studies is to unveil newer non-invasive potential disease markers. Most recently, we are studying chemokines involvement in lung transplant patients. Preliminary studies have shown the chemokine IL-8 as a potential prognostic marker.

Recent Publications
M. T. Lee, L. C. Hooper, L. Kump, K. Hayashi, R. Nussenblatt, J. J. Hooks, B. Detrick. Interferon-beta and adhesion molecules (E-selectin and s-intracellular adhesion molecule-1) are detected in sera from patients with retinal vasculitis and are induced in retinal vascular endothelial cells by Toll-like receptor 3 signalling. Clin Exp Immunol. 2007 Jan;147(1):71-80. Peter S. Amenta, Salim Hadad, Maria T Lee, Nicola Barnard, Jeanne Myers. Loss of types XV and XIX collagen precedes basement membrane invasion in ductal carcinoma of the female breast. Journal of Pathology 2003;199:298-308. Lee MT, Heller DS, Lambert WC, Bethel C. Cutaneous ciliated cyst with interspersed apocrine features presenting as a pilonidal cyst in a child. Pediatric Development Pathology. 2001 May-Jun;4(3):310-2.

600 N. Wolfe Street, Meyer B-125F
Baltimore, MD 21287
Phone: 410-955-4382
Fax: 410-614-7609
Pager: 410-434-1209
Email: mlee46@jhmi.edu


Cuong T Nguyen, M.D., M.S.B.A.
Cuong T Nguyen

Junior Faculty, Assistant
Immunology Laboratory, Department of Pathology
The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutes


Clinical Interests: Renal transplant/ Renal pathology/ transplant immunology

Research Interests: Renal pathology and autoimmune diseases; immunologic basis for plasma cell dyscrasias; multiple myeloma related immunodeficiencies/ HIV

600 N. Wolfe Street, Meyer B-125F
Baltimore, MD 21287
Phone: 410-955-4382
Fax: 410-614-7609
Pager: 410-434-1209
Email: cnguye25@jhmi.edu

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