Dr. Endsley's research is focused on mechanisms and regulation of cell mediated immunity to Mycobacterium tuberculosis
(M.tb). They utilize human subjects, infected human lung tissue, and
mouse and humanized mouse models of experimental tuberculosis (TB) for
these studies. An important component of her work is investigations to
determine how human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) compromises CD8+
T cell and macrophage function in the host immune response to M.tb. The
goal of these basic studies is to identify mechanisms whereby the CD8+
T cell subset can be targeted by vaccine adjuvants and/or antigens.
Additionally, she has NIH funding to develop the humanized mouse as a
small animal model of HIV/M.tb co-infection. Development of this model
will greatly enhance capabilities to design and screen innovative
prophylactics and therapeutics for TB to use in populations with
HIV-compromised immune systems. Through collaborations, she has extended
studies of cytotoxic lymphocytes to include natural killer cell
function in infectious disease (M.tb, B. anthracis) and reproduction.
Search PubMed for Dr. Endsley's publications