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Russell P. Hall III

J. Lamar Callaway Distinguished Professor of Dermatology, in the School of Medicine
Dermatology
Duke Box 3135, Durham, NC 27710
4577 Hosp South, Durham, NC 27710

Overview


Our laboratory is investigating the pathogenesis of autoimmune blistering skin diseases. Areas of special expertise include immune mediated skin diseases, especially immune mediated primary blistering disorders. These include pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management.
Specifically our laboratory is investigating the role of the mucosal immune response in the pathogenesis of dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) and the role the associated gluten sensitive enteropathy (GSE) plays in the development of this disease. Studies are currently focused on understanding the systemic manifestations of the mucosal immune response to dietary ingestion of wheat proteins in patients with DH. Studies are directed at determining the pattern of cytokine activation and inflammatory cell activation in the gut, skin and circulation. These studies are focused on understanding the manner in which gastrointestinal inflammation leads to the development of skin lesions in patients with DH and will provide new insight into the pathogenesis of the numerous skin diseases associated with inflammatory gastrointestinal disease.
In addition, our laboratory is investigating the pathogenesis of the organ specific auto immune blistering diseases bullous pemphigoid, and pemphigus vulgaris. These studies are directed at understanding auto-antibody epitopes and their relationship to disease activity and the role of B cells in the development and maintaince of auto-antibodies. Clinical trials are ongoing in both pemphigus and bullous pemphigoid that are coupled with mechanistic studies.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


J. Lamar Callaway Distinguished Professor of Dermatology, in the School of Medicine · 2010 - Present Dermatology, Clinical Science Departments
Professor of Dermatology · 1996 - Present Dermatology, Clinical Science Departments
Professor of Immunology · 1997 - Present Integrative Immunobiology, Basic Science Departments

Recent Publications


Cutaneous dysbiosis characterizes the post-allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation period.

Journal Article Blood Adv · May 13, 2025 Gut dysbiosis is linked to mortality and the development of graft-versus-host disease after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), but the impact of cutaneous dysbiosis remains unexplored. We performed a pilot observational study, obtained retroau ... Full text Link to item Cite

Disentangling Race from Skin Color in Modern Biology and Medicine.

Journal Article J Invest Dermatol · February 2025 In this review, we examine the taxonomies used to classify people, which influenced the development of the modern disciplines of biology and medicine, including dermatology, throughout the world. Early European scientists and physicians were intertwined wi ... Full text Link to item Cite

Observations from Statistical Review Editors: A Commentary.

Journal Article JID innovations : skin science from molecules to population health · November 2024 Full text Cite
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Education, Training & Certifications


University of Missouri, Columbia · 1975 M.D.
Westminster College · 1971 B.A.