Palaniyar Lab page
Principal Investigator
Nades Palaniyar, PhD
Scientist, Physiology & Experimental Medicine, The Hospital For Sick Children, University of Toronto
Assistant Professor, Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology (LMP)
Full Faculty Member, Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology and Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Graduate Studies
Lab Members (A-Z)
• Ali Bresner, BSc., MSc student (LMP). Collectins in influenza viral infection
• David N Douda, BSc., MSc., PhD student (LMP). SP-D in NET-mediated microbial clearance (PAP, CF).
• Dina Kulik, MD., PG Fellow. Collectins in influenza viral infection in children
• Hayley Craig-Barnes, BSc., MSc., Clinical Research Assistant. SP-D and -2 macroglobulin in microbial infection, clearance of dying cells and stem cell transplant patients.
• Michael L Litvack, BSc., MSc., PhD student (IMS). SP-D and IgM in apoptotic cell clearance.
• Pascal Djiadeu, MSc., PhD Flex-time student (Pharmacology)/Research Tech. SP-D in apoptosis and apoptotic cell clearance
Research Activities
SP-A and SP-D are innate immune collectins, and are secreted into the airway surface fluid of the lungs. These proteins are anchored to the lung surfactant lipids that cover the inner surface of the lungs. Notably, these two proteins constitute about 90 per cent (w/w) of the proteins that are associated with the lung surfactant. These proteins recognize the carbohydrate arrays present on the microbes and pollen grains, and enhance the killing and clearance of these foreign invaders from the lungs with the help of immune cells such as alveolar macrophages. These and other collectin-mediated molecular mechanisms are important to maintain healthy lungs. Interestingly, while adults rely on both innate and antibody-based adaptive immune systems to defend themselves against microbial infections, neonates and children depend primarily on innate immune system for their protection. To better understand the innate immune system in the lungs, we study two major innate immune collectins SP-A and SP-D.
My lab members continue to study the biological roles of SP-A and SP-D in the lungs and their therapeutic potential for treatment of inflammatory lung diseases with both basic and applied research. The common techniques used in the lab are (1) standard biochemistry, molecular and cell biology assays, (2) fluorescent, confocal and electron microscopy, (3) tissue culture assays, (4) ex vivo and in vivo experiments in mouse models, and (5) analyze samples obtained from amniotic fluid and human lungs.
Specific projects are : 1) Innate immune and anti-inflammatory functions of SP-A, SP-D and decorin; 2) Determine the mechanism(s) of SP-D-mediated DNA clearance; 3)Effects of collectins in microbial infection and airway hyperresponsiveness
Recent Publications
Douda, D. N., Farmakovski, N., Dell, S., Grasemann, H., Palaniyar, N. Double-edged sword: SP-D and GM-CSF increase the innate immune potential of macrophages and granuloma formation in LPI patients. AJRCMB, 2008 (SickKids Foundation/CIHR).
Contact Information
- Nades Palaniyar, PhD
The Hospital for Sick Children
555 University Ave. McMaster Bldg. Room 2014D
Toronto, ON M5G 1X8
nades.palaniyar@sickkids.ca - Admin Assistant
Ms. Anna DeCaria, Senior Secretary
555 University Ave., McMaster Bldg. Room 2034
Toronto, ON M5G 1X8
Tel. 416-813-6773
anna.decaria@sickkids.ca