Dr. William Powell

We are interested in the roles of eicosanoids in inflammation, especially related to asthma. We discovered the 5-lipoxygenase product, 5-oxo-ETE that can by synthesized by both inflammatory and structural cells and is the strongest known chemoattractant for human eosinophils among lipid mediators. We are studying the regulation of its biosynthesis and its biological activities and are collaborating with a chemist (Joshua Rokach at the Florida Institute of Technology) to develop 5-oxo-ETE receptor antagonists that could potentially be used for the treatment of asthma and other eosinophilic disorders. We are screening various synthetic compounds and have identified several with nanomolar potencies. We are currently investigating the pharmacokinetics and efficacy of some of these compounds in primate models. Another project we are involved in is the regulation of NADPH oxidase in inflammatory cells. In this case we are investigating the regulation of pyridine nucleotide levels (principally NADPH) in neutrophils.