NCIRE Researcher By Name

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Paul Volberding, MD
Chair, NCIRE Board of Directors
Chief of Medicine, SFVAMC

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» » Researchers by Name

Kenneth Feingold, MD

Staff Physician, Medical Service, SFVAMC
Professor of Medicine, UCSF
Email: kenneth.feingold@ucsf.edu

The Role of Lipids and Lipoproteins in Inflammation and Skin Formation

Lipoproteins are considered part of innate immunity, participating in inactivation of bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Infection and inflammation are associated with multiple alterations in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism. The initial purpose of these alterations is to protect the host from the harmful effects of the injurious stimuli. However, in chronic infection or inflammation, these changes could be harmful and may contribute to atherosclerosis (arterial plaque). Dr. Feingold's laboratory works to define a) the alterations in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism that occur during inflammation, b) the mechanisms that account for the changes, c) the beneficial effects of the changes, and d) the pathways by which the inflammation induced changes in lipid metabolism increases the risk of developing atherosclerosis. Another major goal of his research is to understand the role of lipids in formation of the stratum corneum (SC) - the outermost layer of skin - which in turn generate the epidermal permeability barrier, which is required for terrestrial life. It is anticipated that these studies will point to novel therapies that could improve stratum corneum and permeability barrier function.

Feingold KR, Shigenaga JK, Chui LG, Moser A, Khovidhunkit W, Grunfeld C. 2007. Infection and inflammation decrease apolipoprotein M expression. Atherosclerosis 199(1):19-26.

Schmuth M, Jiang YJ, Dubrac S, Elias PM, Feingold KR. 2008. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) and liver X receptors (LXR) in epidermal biology. J Lipid Res 49(3):499-509.