Faculty
Dr. David Shepherd
Associate Professor
Email: david.shepherd@umontana.edu
Phone: (406) 243-2224
After completing undergraduate work in Molecular Biology at Florida Institute of Technology, Dave Shepherd was trained as a cellular immunologist in the laboratory of Dr. Randolph J. Noelle at Dartmouth Medical School. He earned his Ph.D. in Toxicology at Oregon State University under the supervision of Dr. Nancy I. Kerkvliet. Following postdoctoral training in Molecular Toxicology with Dr. Mark Leid at OSU, he joined the faculty in the Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Montana in 2002.
Research Statement
Many chemicals are known or suspected to cause deleterious effects on human health. Studies of pharmaceuticals and environmental contaminants indicate that the toxicity of many chemicals is mediated by a mechanism that involves or affects the immune system. Broadly speaking, chemicals can cause two different types of immune dysfunction: immune suppression, leading to an increased susceptibility to infectious diseases and cancer; and immune enhancement, leading to either autoimmune disease or allergy. While many studies indicate that exposure of humans and laboratory animals to chemicals can induce immune disorders, the mechanisms by which they alter immune function are largely unknown.
Dr. Shepherd's research program encompasses two somewhat distinct areas of immunotoxicology. The first focus of his laboratory centers on defining the role of the man-made environmental chemicals such as dioxins and PCBs on dendritic cells (DC), which are considered to be the "professional" antigen presenting cells in the immune system. His research is aimed at elucidating the mechanisms of immune suppression by these toxicants by addressing the role of Aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation in DC and the functional consequences of these alterations. The second area of investigation by this research group aims to define the efficacy and/or toxicity of natural chemicals in the immune system. Specifically, studies are being conducted to define the potential for several nutraceuticals such as notoginseng and thunder god vine to inhibit inflammation and boost adaptive immune responses. These studies utilize both in vitro and in vivo models of innate and adaptive immunity.
Recent Publications
A.G. Rhule, B. Rase, J.R. Smith, and D.M. SHEPHERD. (2008). Toll-like receptor ligand-induced activation of murine DC2.4 cells is attenuated by Panax Notoginseng. J. Ethnopharm. 116: 179-186.
A.G. Rhule, S. Navarro, J.R. Smith, and D.M. SHEPHERD. (2006). Notoginseng Attenuates LPS-Induced Pro-Inflammatory Mediators in RAW264.7 cells. J. Ethnopharm 106: 121-128.