The laboratory of Patricia Silveyra, PhD, studies the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying sex differences in lung inflammation and lung disease triggered by various environmental exposures. With an interdisciplinary focus on respiratory physiology, molecular endocrinology, and cellular and molecular immunology, the Silveyra laboratory investigates the effects of air pollutants, cigarette smoke, e-cigarettes, and other environmental exposures in the male and female lung.
Active Research
We are currently investigating the following areas of research:
- Sex differences in lung inflammatory responses to environmental exposures (ambient ozone, particulate matter, allergens, smoking, e-cigarettes, phthalates).
- The effects of the female reproductive cycle in lung inflammatory responses and asthma exacerbations.
- Circulating sex hormone's effects on air pollution-induced lung inflammation.
- Mechanisms of estrogen receptor regulation in the context of lung inflammation.
- Sex differences in airway remodeling during asthma and ozone-induced asthma exacerbations.
- Sex differences in e-cigs and ENDS exposure effects across the life span.
- The effects of environmental exposures such as endocrine disruptors in the lung's response to allergens and pollutants.
- The interplay of the lung and gut microbiomes in the context of lung health and disease.
- The effects of diet and exercise modifications in lung immunology.
Current Research Funding
R01HL159764 (PI: Silveyra)
Gonadal hormones as mediators of sex and gender influences in asthma
R01HL159764-02W1 (PI: Silveyra; Commodore Diversity Supplement)
Gonadal hormones as mediators of sex and gender influences in asthma
P01HL158507 (PI: Gaston; Silveyra Scientific Advisor)
Scientific innovation for personalized severe asthma management
Recent Publications
Silva Rodriguez M, Silveyra P. Air Pollution Exposure as a Relevant Risk Factor for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbations in Male and Female Patients. EMJ 2022, doi: 10.33590/emj/21-00228
Siddaiah R, Oji-Mmuo CN, Montes D, Fuentes N, Spear D, Donnelly A, Silveyra P. MicroRNA Signatures Associated with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia Severity in Tracheal Aspirates of Preterm Infants. Biomedicines 2021, 9(3), 257, doi: 103390/biomedicines9030257
Al-Housseiny H, Singh M, Emile S, Nicoleau M, Vander Wal R, Silveyra P. Identification of Toxicity Parameters Associated with Combustion Produced Soot Surface Chemistry and Particle Structure by in Vitro Assays. Biomedicines. 2020 Sep 11;8(9):E345, doi: 10.3390/biomedicines8090345.
Fuentes N, Nicoleau M, Cabello N, Montes D, Zomorodi N, Chroneos Z, Silveyra P. 17β-Estradiol affects lung function and inflammation following ozone exposure in a sex-dependent manner. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. 2019. Epub 2019/09/26, doi: 10.1152/ajplung.00176.2019.
Fuentes N, Cabello N, Nicoleau M, Chroneos Z, Silveyra P. Modulation of the lung inflammatory response to ozone by the estrous cycle. Physiol Rep. 2019 Mar;7(5):e14026, doi: 10.14814/phy2.14026.
