Paul McCray, MD, is a pediatric pulmonologist with a long-standing interests in airway innate immunity, epithelial cell biology, and the applications of gene therapy for lung diseases. 

Genetic therapies for the treatment of inherited diseases

The laboratory is performing studies using lentiviral and AAV vectors. Our major disease focus is cystic fibrosis. We have developed novel lentiviral vector pseudotypes that target receptors on the apical surface of airway epithelia. We are also exploring gene editing and base editing to correct nonsense and splicing mutations in airway progenitor cell types. A long-term goal is to develop vector systems with that can be successfully used in children to treat or prevent cystic fibrosis or other genetic lung diseases by gene addition or gene repair.

Pulmonary Host Defense / Lung Disease Pathogenesis

Despite the intimate contact between the lung and the external environment that occurs with each breath, the intrapulmonary airways are normally free of infection and inflammation. A well-orchestrated mucosal immune system contributes to this remarkable state of affairs. We are interested in host-pathogen interactions, defense mechanisms, and epithelial responses to bacteria and viruses. We are investigating how viral respiratory infections may contribute to the genesis of cystic fibrosis lung disease. Additional studies are investigating interactions between airway epithelia and specific pathogens: RSV, influenza, PIV, and human coronaviruses associated with severe lung disease (SARS, MERS, and SARS-2). We use gene expression analysis and cell and animal models to investigate disease pathogenesis and evaluate candidate treatment and preventions.

Paul McCray, MD, is a pediatric pulmonologist with a long-standing interests in airway innate immunity, epithelial cell biology, and the applications of gene therapy for lung diseases. 

Genetic therapies for the treatment of inherited diseases

The laboratory is performing studies using lentiviral and AAV vectors. Our major disease focus is cystic fibrosis. We have developed novel lentiviral vector pseudotypes that target receptors on the apical surface of airway epithelia. We are also exploring gene editing and base editing to correct nonsense and splicing mutations in airway progenitor cell types. A long-term goal is to develop vector systems with that can be successfully used in children to treat or prevent cystic fibrosis or other genetic lung diseases by gene addition or gene repair.

Pulmonary Host Defense / Lung Disease Pathogenesis

Despite the intimate contact between the lung and the external environment that occurs with each breath, the intrapulmonary airways are normally free of infection and inflammation. A well-orchestrated mucosal immune system contributes to this remarkable state of affairs. We are interested in host-pathogen interactions, defense mechanisms, and epithelial responses to bacteria and viruses. We are investigating how viral respiratory infections may contribute to the genesis of cystic fibrosis lung disease. Additional studies are investigating interactions between airway epithelia and specific pathogens: RSV, influenza, PIV, and human coronaviruses associated with severe lung disease (SARS, MERS, and SARS-2). We use gene expression analysis and cell and animal models to investigate disease pathogenesis and evaluate candidate treatment and preventions.