Professor and Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs

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Research

Dr. Regal's research laboratory is focused on defining mechanisms and mediators of asthma and anaphylactic shock.

Childhood Asthma
As a chronic inflammatory lung disease caused by numerous different allergens, asthma has a serious impact on both children and adults. Our work in basic animal models of asthma is comparing the dose of allergen that causes asthmatic symptoms in young vs adult, male vs female animals. As part of this work, we are utilizing RNA expression analysis and microarray technology to assist in defining mechanistic differences in adult and childhood asthma. These experiments will provide the basis for determining whether allergen avoidance in the young is a realistic therapeutic strategy in reducing asthma morbidity and mortality in both children and adults.

Occupational Asthma and Immunotoxicology
Current evidence indicates that asthma is a syndrome and occurs by different mechanisms, depending on the allergen. Examining these mechanisms in detail in the research laboratory is crucial for the identification of the very best treatment for each individual in the clinical setting. My research in immunotoxicology is using measurements of inflammation and pulmonary function along with RNA expression analysis and microarray technology to define differences in effector mechanisms in occupational asthma. These studies are comparing the allergic pulmonary response to trimellitic anhydride, a chemical used in the paints and plastics industries, to the classic protein allergen, ovalbumin. In addition, the role of the innate immune system, particularly the plasma complement system, in mediating the symptoms of occupational asthma is being explored. The approaches are interdisciplinary, spanning molecular to physiological techniques.

This work is currently funded by the Department of Defense, U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, DAMD-17-02-1-0191

Education

Publications and Professional Activities

Memberships

American Association of Immunologists, 1981 - present
American Society of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, 1983 - present
Society of Toxicology, 1998 - present
American Thoracic Society, 1990 - present
Sigma Xi, 1988 - present: President elect of local chapter 1998-1999

Selected Activities

Associate Editor, Journal of Immunotoxicology

Institute of Medicine's Committee on Health Effects Associated with Exposures Experienced during the Persian Gulf War, 1999-2001

Peer Review Panel for review of the Murine Local Lymph Node Assay sponsored by the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of Alternative Methods (ICCVAM) for the National Toxicology Program, 1998

Phillip Morris Foundation External Research Program, Peer Reviewer, 2000-present

American Chemistry Council, Peer Review Panel for RFP "Susceptibility of the Developing Immune System to Immunosuppressive Agents", 2001

Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Review of draft document setting exposure limits for the occupational allergen Trimellitic anhydride, 2000

Minnesota Heart Association Research Peer Review Subcommittee, 1985-1992
Vice Chair, 1988-90, Chair, 1990-92

Minnesota Heart Association Research Committee, 1989-92

Minnesota Heart Association Executive Committee and Board of Directors, 1990-1992