Mary Helen Foster
Professor of Medicine
Research in the Foster Lab focuses on autoimmune glomerulonephritis, a major cause of acute and chronic kidney disease worldwide.
Our experiments explore the origins and regulation of the pathogenic immune responses that underlie glomerulonephritis, and are designed to: identify tolerance mechanisms that regulate nephritogenic lymphocytes, with an emphasis on B cells and autoantibodies; determine the molecular basis of tolerance; identify defects in immune regulation and the contributions of genetic autoimmune predisposition; and identify environmental disease triggers. These experiments use novel models relevant to immune nephritis in both kidney-restricted and systemic autoimmunity (Goodpasture syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus, respectively), that are amenable to mechanistic dissection using basic immunological, molecular biological, and proteomics approaches. An ultimate goal is to advance novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to improve the lives of patients.
Our experiments explore the origins and regulation of the pathogenic immune responses that underlie glomerulonephritis, and are designed to: identify tolerance mechanisms that regulate nephritogenic lymphocytes, with an emphasis on B cells and autoantibodies; determine the molecular basis of tolerance; identify defects in immune regulation and the contributions of genetic autoimmune predisposition; and identify environmental disease triggers. These experiments use novel models relevant to immune nephritis in both kidney-restricted and systemic autoimmunity (Goodpasture syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus, respectively), that are amenable to mechanistic dissection using basic immunological, molecular biological, and proteomics approaches. An ultimate goal is to advance novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to improve the lives of patients.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
- Professor of Medicine, Medicine, Nephrology, Medicine 2019
- Member of the Duke Cancer Institute, Duke Cancer Institute, Institutes and Centers 2000
Contact Information
- Duke Box 103015, Durham, NC 27710
- MSRBII Second Floor, Rm 2018, 106 Research Drive, Durham, NC 27710
-
foste027@duke.edu
(919) 684-9788
- Background
-
Education, Training, & Certifications
- Fellow in Nephrology, Medicine, Tufts University 1985 - 1989
- Medical Resident, Medicine, University of Virginia 1982 - 1985
- M.D., University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill 1982
-
Previous Appointments & Affiliations
- Associate Professor of Medicine, Medicine, Nephrology, Medicine 2007 - 2019
- Associate Professor of Medicine, Medicine, Nephrology, Medicine 2001 - 2007
- Instructor, Temporary in the Department of Medicine, Medicine, Nephrology, Medicine 2000
- Expertise
-
Subject Headings
- Research
-
Selected Grants
- Duke Training Grant in Nephrology awarded by National Institutes of Health 1995 - 2023
- Gene-Environment Collaboration in Autoimmune Disease awarded by National Institutes of Health 2017 - 2022
- Dual humanization to model gene-environment interactions in ANCA vasculitis awarded by Vasculitis Foundation 2017 - 2018
- George M. O'Brien Kidney Research Core Centers awarded by National Institutes of Health 2012 - 2018
- The role of dendritic cell-mediated T cell activation in hypertension awarded by National Institutes of Health 2017
- Training Program in Inflammatory and Immunological Diseases awarded by National Institutes of Health 1980 - 2017
- Mechanism of Silica-induced Autoimmunity awarded by National Institutes of Health 2014 - 2017
- Novel Receptor-Ligand Interactions in Glomerulonephritis awarded by National Institutes of Health 2011 - 2017
- Proximal Determinants of Nephritogenic Autoimmunity awarded by National Institutes of Health 1995 - 2012
- IPA - Ting Yu awarded by Veterans Administration Medical Center 2010
- 8/IPA - Melissa Weston awarded by Veterans Administration Medical Center 2009
-
External Relationships
- NIH NIDDK KUH D Subcommittee
- Publications & Artistic Works
-
Selected Publications
-
Academic Articles
-
Fee, Lanette, Advika Kumar, Robert M. Tighe, and Mary H. Foster. “Autoreactive B cells recruited to lungs by silica exposure contribute to local autoantibody production in autoimmune-prone BXSB and B cell receptor transgenic mice.” Front Immunol 13 (2022): 933360. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2022.933360.Full Text Link to Item
-
Sadun, Rebecca E., and Mary H. Foster. “Déjà Vu But New: Using T Cells to Deplete B Cells to Treat Lupus.” Am J Kidney Dis 74, no. 5 (November 2019): 708–10. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.ajkd.2019.04.009.Full Text Link to Item
-
Foster, Mary H., Jeffrey R. Ord, Emma J. Zhao, Anastasiya Birukova, Lanette Fee, Francesca M. Korte, Yohannes G. Asfaw, et al. “Silica Exposure Differentially Modulates Autoimmunity in Lupus Strains and Autoantibody Transgenic Mice.” Front Immunol 10 (2019): 2336. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2019.02336.Full Text Link to Item
-
Foster, Mary Helen, and Jeffrey Robinson Ord. “Emerging immunotherapies for autoimmune kidney disease.” Hum Vaccin Immunother 15, no. 4 (2019): 876–90. https://doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2018.1555569.Full Text Link to Item
-
Clark, Amy G., Elizabeth S. Buckley, and Mary H. Foster. “Altered toll-like receptor responsiveness underlies a dominant heritable defect in B cell tolerance in autoimmune New Zealand Black mice.” Eur J Immunol 48, no. 3 (March 2018): 492–97. https://doi.org/10.1002/eji.201747287.Full Text Link to Item
-
Clark, Amy G., Inge M. Worni-Schudel, Francesca M. Korte, and Mary H. Foster. “A murine Ig light chain transgene reveals IGKV3 gene contributions to anti-collagen types IV and II specificities.” Mol Immunol 91 (November 2017): 49–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molimm.2017.08.015.Full Text Link to Item
-
Foster, Mary H. “Basement membranes and autoimmune diseases.” Matrix Biol 57–58 (January 2017): 149–68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matbio.2016.07.008.Full Text Link to Item
-
Foster, Mary H. “Optimizing the translational value of animal models of glomerulonephritis: insights from recent murine prototypes.” Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 311, no. 3 (September 1, 2016): F487–95. https://doi.org/10.1152/ajprenal.00275.2016.Full Text Link to Item
-
Foster, Mary H., Elizabeth S. Buckley, Benny J. Chen, Kwan-Ki Hwang, and Amy G. Clark. “Uncommon structural motifs dominate the antigen binding site in human autoantibodies reactive with basement membrane collagen.” Mol Immunol 76 (August 2016): 123–33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molimm.2016.07.004.Full Text Link to Item
-
Worni-Schudel, Inge M., Amy G. Clark, Tiffany Chien, Kwan-Ki Hwang, Benny J. Chen, and Mary H. Foster. “Recovery of a human natural antibody against the noncollagenous-1 domain of type IV collagen using humanized models.” J Transl Med 13 (June 6, 2015): 185. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-015-0539-4.Full Text Link to Item
-
Clark, Amy G., Melissa L. Weston, and Mary H. Foster. “Lack of galectin-1 or galectin-3 alters B cell deletion and anergy in an autoantibody transgene model.” Glycobiology 23, no. 7 (July 2013): 893–903. https://doi.org/10.1093/glycob/cwt026.Full Text Link to Item
-
Clark, Amy G., Qihua Fan, Graham F. Brady, Katherine M. Mackin, Evan D. Coffman, Melissa L. Weston, and Mary H. Foster. “Regulation of basement membrane-reactive B cells in BXSB, (NZBxNZW)F1, NZB, and MRL/lpr lupus mice.” Autoimmunity 46, no. 3 (May 2013): 188–204. https://doi.org/10.3109/08916934.2012.746671.Full Text Link to Item
-
Clark, Amy G., Katherine M. Mackin, and Mary H. Foster. “Genetic elimination of α3(IV) collagen fails to rescue anti-collagen B cells.” Immunol Lett 141, no. 1 (December 30, 2011): 134–39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.imlet.2011.09.004.Full Text Link to Item
-
Crowley, Steven D., Matthew P. Vasievich, Phillip Ruiz, Samantha K. Gould, Kelly K. Parsons, A Kathy Pazmino, Carie Facemire, et al. “Glomerular type 1 angiotensin receptors augment kidney injury and inflammation in murine autoimmune nephritis.” J Clin Invest 119, no. 4 (April 2009): 943–53. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI34862.Full Text Link to Item
-
Kelley, V. R., L. Morel, and M. H. Foster. “Systemic lupus erythematosus and the kidney,” December 1, 2008, 509–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-1-4160-0252-9.50033-1.Full Text
-
Zhang, Ying, Susan C. Su, Douglas B. Hecox, Graham F. Brady, Katherine M. Mackin, Amy G. Clark, and Mary H. Foster. “Central tolerance regulates B cells reactive with Goodpasture antigen alpha3(IV)NC1 collagen.” J Immunol 181, no. 9 (November 1, 2008): 6092–6100. https://doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.181.9.6092.Full Text Link to Item
-
Foster, Mary H. “Novel targets for immunotherapy in glomerulonephritis.” Biologics 2, no. 3 (September 2008): 531–45. https://doi.org/10.2147/btt.s2764.Full Text Link to Item
-
Clark, A. G., K. M. Mackin, and M. H. Foster. “Tracking Differential Gene Expression in MRL/MpJ Versus C57BL/6 Anergic B Cells: Molecular Markers of Autoimmunity.” Biomarker Insights 3 (2008): 335–50.
-
Clark, Amy G., Sihong Chen, Hao Zhang, Graham F. Brady, Erica K. Ungewitter, Joanna K. Bradley, Faustina N. Sackey, and Mary H. Foster. “Multifunctional regulators of cell growth are differentially expressed in anergic murine B cells.” Mol Immunol 44, no. 6 (February 2007): 1274–85. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molimm.2006.06.001.Full Text Link to Item
-
Foster, Mary H. “T cells and B cells in lupus nephritis.” Semin Nephrol 27, no. 1 (January 2007): 47–58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semnephrol.2006.09.007.Full Text Link to Item
-
Foster, Mary H., Ying Zhang, and Amy G. Clark. “Deconstructing B cell tolerance to basement membranes.” Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz) 54, no. 4 (2006): 227–37. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00005-006-0027-x.Full Text Link to Item
-
Amital, Howard, Michal Heilweil, Rina Ulmansky, Fanny Szafer, Ruth Bar-Tana, Laurence Morel, Mary H. Foster, et al. “Treatment with a laminin-derived peptide suppresses lupus nephritis.” J Immunol 175, no. 8 (October 15, 2005): 5516–23. https://doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.175.8.5516.Full Text Link to Item
-
Brady, Graham F., Kendra L. Congdon, Amy G. Clark, Faustina N. A. Sackey, Earl H. Rudolph, Marko Z. Radic, and Mary H. Foster. “Kappa editing rescues autoreactive B cells destined for deletion in mice transgenic for a dual specific anti-laminin Ig.” J Immunol 172, no. 9 (May 1, 2004): 5313–21. https://doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.172.9.5313.Full Text Link to Item
-
Foster, Mary Helen. “Taking HAART in HIVAN: will protease inhibitor sparing regimens alter renal outcome?” Kidney International 65, no. 3 (March 2004): 1105–6. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1523-1755.2004.00527.x.Full Text
-
Clark, A. G., G. F. Brady, F. N. Sackey, and M. H. Foster. “Defining immune tolerance through gene expression profiling.” Journal of the American Society of Nephrology 13 (September 1, 2002): 348A-348A.Link to Item
-
Congdon, K. C., G. F. Brady, and M. H. Foster. “Complex tolerance phenotypes induced by lupus autoantigens.” Journal of the American Society of Nephrology 13 (September 1, 2002): 171A-171A.Link to Item
-
Sackey, F. N., and M. H. Foster. “Dissecting the biochemical basis of tolerance: Role for differential activation of MAPKs, NF-kB and NFAT.” Journal of the American Society of Nephrology 13 (September 1, 2002): 346A-346A.Link to Item
-
Rudolph, Earl H., Kendra L. Congdon, Faustina N. A. Sackey, Muriel M. Fitzsimons, and Mary H. Foster. “Humoral autoimmunity to basement membrane antigens is regulated in C57BL/6 and MRL/MpJ mice transgenic for anti-laminin Ig receptors.” J Immunol 168, no. 11 (June 1, 2002): 5943–53. https://doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.168.11.5943.Full Text Link to Item
-
Cooperstone, B. G., M. M. Rahman, E. H. Rudolph, and M. H. Foster. “In vitro and in vivo expression of a nephritogenic Ig heavy chain determinant: pathogenic autoreactivity requires permissive light chains.” Immunology and Cell Biology 79, no. 3 (June 2001): 222–30. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1440-1711.2001.01001.x.Full Text
-
Cohen, D. L., J. Post, A. A. Ferroggiaro, J. Perrone, and M. H. Foster. “Chronic salicylism resulting in noncardiogenic pulmonary edema requiring hemodialysis.” American Journal of Kidney Diseases : The Official Journal of the National Kidney Foundation 36, no. 3 (September 2000): E20. https://doi.org/10.1053/ajkd.2000.16223.Full Text
-
Fitzsimons, M. M., H. Chen, and M. H. Foster. “Diverse endogenous light chains contribute to basement membrane reactivity in nonautoimmune mice transgenic for an anti-laminin Ig heavy chain.” Immunogenetics 51, no. 1 (January 2000): 20–29. https://doi.org/10.1007/s002510050004.Full Text Link to Item
-
Kieber-Emmons, T., C. Lin, M. H. Foster, and T. R. Kleyman. “Antiidiotypic antibody recognizes an amiloride binding domain within the alpha subunit of the epithelial Na+ channel.” J Biol Chem 274, no. 14 (April 2, 1999): 9648–55. https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.274.14.9648.Full Text Link to Item
-
Foster, M. H., and V. R. Kelley. “Lupus nephritis: update on pathogenesis and disease mechanisms.” Semin Nephrol 19, no. 2 (March 1999): 173–81.Link to Item
-
Foster, M. H. “Relevance of systemic lupus erythematosus nephritis animal models to human disease.” Semin Nephrol 19, no. 1 (January 1999): 12–24.Link to Item
-
Rosas, S. E., J. E. Tomaszewski, H. I. Feldman, and M. H. Foster. “Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type I, mixed cryoglobulinemia and lymphoma in the absence of hepatitis C infection.” American Journal of Nephrology 19, no. 5 (January 1999): 599–604. https://doi.org/10.1159/000013527.Full Text
-
Foster, M. H., B. G. Cooperstone, and H. Chen. “Anti-idiotypic monoclonal Ig specific for an anti-laminin Ig heavy chain transgene variable region.” Hybridoma 17, no. 4 (August 1998): 323–29. https://doi.org/10.1089/hyb.1998.17.323.Full Text
-
Foster, M. H., and M. M. Fitzsimons. “Lupus-like nephrotropic autoantibodies in non-autoimmune mice harboring an anti-basement membrane/anti-DNA Ig heavy chain transgene.” Mol Immunol 35, no. 2 (February 1998): 83–94. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0161-5890(98)00018-2.Full Text Link to Item
-
Fitzsimons, M. M., and M. H. Foster. “The nephritogenic immune response.” Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension 6, no. 3 (May 1997): 267–75. https://doi.org/10.1097/00041552-199705000-00012.Full Text
-
Madaio, M. P., K. Yanase, M. H. Foster, R. M. Smith, T. K. Emmons, M. Fabbi, A. Puccetti, and L. Jarett. “Nuclear localization of autoantibodies. Novel insights into protein translocation and cellular function.” Ann N Y Acad Sci 815 (April 5, 1997): 263–66. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.1997.tb52068.x.Full Text Link to Item
-
Foster, M. H., Q. Liu, H. Chen, D. Nemazee, and B. G. Cooperstone. “Anti-laminin reactivity and glomerular immune deposition by in vitro recombinant antibodies.” Autoimmunity 26, no. 4 (1997): 231–43. https://doi.org/10.3109/08916939709008029.Full Text Link to Item
-
Vargas, M. T., K. Gustilo, D. M. D’Andrea, R. Kalluri, M. H. Foster, and M. P. Madaio. “Structural features of nephritogenic lupus autoantibodies.” Methods 11, no. 1 (January 1997): 62–69. https://doi.org/10.1006/meth.1996.0388.Full Text Link to Item
-
D’Andrea, D. M., B. Coupaye-Gerard, T. R. Kleyman, M. H. Foster, and M. P. Madaio. “Lupus autoantibodies interact directly with distinct glomerular and vascular cell surface antigens.” Kidney Int 49, no. 5 (May 1996): 1214–21. https://doi.org/10.1038/ki.1996.175.Full Text Link to Item
-
Yanase, K., R. M. Smith, B. Cĭzman, M. H. Foster, L. D. Peachey, L. Jarett, and M. P. Madaio. “A subgroup of murine monoclonal anti-deoxyribonucleic acid antibodies traverse the cytoplasm and enter the nucleus in a time-and temperature- dependent manner.” Lab Invest 71, no. 1 (July 1994): 52–60.Link to Item
-
Lin, C., T. Kieber-Emmons, A. P. Villalobos, M. H. Foster, C. Wahlgren, and T. R. Kleyman. “Topology of an amiloride-binding protein.” J Biol Chem 269, no. 4 (January 28, 1994): 2805–13.Link to Item
-
Foster, M. H., T. Kieber-Emmons, M. Ohliger, and M. P. Madaio. “Molecular and structural analysis of nuclear localizing anti-DNA lupus antibodies.” Immunol Res 13, no. 2–3 (1994): 186–206. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02918279.Full Text Link to Item
-
Kieber-Emmons, T., M. H. Foster, W. V. Williams, and M. P. Madaio. “Structural properties of a subset of nephritogenic anti-DNA antibodies.” Immunol Res 13, no. 2–3 (1994): 172–85. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02918278.Full Text Link to Item
-
Foster, M. H., B. Cizman, and M. P. Madaio. “Nephritogenic autoantibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus: immunochemical properties, mechanisms of immune deposition, and genetic origins.” Lab Invest 69, no. 5 (November 1993): 494–507.Link to Item
-
Foster, M. H., J. Sabbaga, S. R. Line, K. S. Thompson, K. J. Barrett, and M. P. Madaio. “Molecular analysis of spontaneous nephrotropic anti-laminin antibodies in an autoimmune MRL-lpr/lpr mouse.” J Immunol 151, no. 2 (July 15, 1993): 814–24.Link to Item
-
Katz, M. S., M. H. Foster, and M. P. Madaio. “Independently derived murine glomerular immune deposit-forming anti-DNA antibodies are encoded by near-identical VH gene sequences.” J Clin Invest 91, no. 2 (February 1993): 402–8. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI116214.Full Text Link to Item
-
Vlahakos, D. V., M. H. Foster, S. Adams, M. Katz, A. A. Ucci, K. J. Barrett, S. K. Datta, and M. P. Madaio. “Anti-DNA antibodies form immune deposits at distinct glomerular and vascular sites.” Kidney Int 41, no. 6 (June 1992): 1690–1700. https://doi.org/10.1038/ki.1992.242.Full Text Link to Item
-
Foster, M. H., M. P. Madaio, and K. J. Barrett. “Variable region sequence analysis of anti-DNA antibodies: evidence for a family of closely related germ-line VH genes encoding lupus autoantibodies.” Dna and Cell Biology 11, no. 3 (April 1992): 175–82. https://doi.org/10.1089/dna.1992.11.175.Full Text
-
Vlahakos, D., M. H. Foster, A. A. Ucci, K. J. Barrett, S. K. Datta, and M. P. Madaio. “Murine monoclonal anti-DNA antibodies penetrate cells, bind to nuclei, and induce glomerular proliferation and proteinuria in vivo.” J Am Soc Nephrol 2, no. 8 (February 1992): 1345–54. https://doi.org/10.1681/ASN.V281345.Full Text Link to Item
-
Foster, M. H., M. MacDonald, K. J. Barrett, and M. P. Madaio. “VH gene analysis of spontaneously activated B cells in adult MRL-lpr/lpr mice. J558 bias is not limited to classic lupus autoantibodies.” J Immunol 147, no. 5 (September 1, 1991): 1504–11.Link to Item
-
Foster, M. H., G. R. Sant, J. F. Donohoe, and J. T. Harrington. “Prolonged survival with a remnant kidney.” American Journal of Kidney Diseases : The Official Journal of the National Kidney Foundation 17, no. 3 (March 1991): 261–65. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0272-6386(12)80471-9.Full Text
-
-
Book Sections
-
Kelley, V. R., L. Morel, and M. H. Foster. “Systemic lupus erythematosus and the kidney.” In Molecular and Genetic Basis of Renal Disease: A Companion to Brenner and Rector’s The Kidney, 509–30, 2007. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-1-4160-0252-9/50033-1.Full Text
-
-
Conference Papers
-
Ord, Jeffrey R., Amy G. Clark, and Mary H. Foster. “Shared Genetic Origins Among Anti-Proteinase 3 and Anti-Glomerular Basement Membrane Double-Positive Human Autoantibodies.” In Arthritis & Rheumatology, Vol. 70. WILEY, 2018.Link to Item
-
Brady, G. F., G. T. Mixon, A. G. Clark, and M. H. Foster. “Tracking immune tolerance in autoimmune susceptible mice.” In Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, 14:383A-383A. LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS, 2003.Link to Item
-
Foster, M. H., G. F. Brady, E. K. Lobenhofer, and A. G. Clark. “Unique gene expression patterns in MRL and B6 tolerant B cells revealed by microarray.” In Faseb Journal, 17:C180–C180. FEDERATION AMER SOC EXP BIOL, 2003.Link to Item
-
-
- Teaching & Mentoring
-
Recent Courses
Some information on this profile has been compiled automatically from Duke databases and external sources. (Our About page explains how this works.) If you see a problem with the information, please write to Scholars@Duke and let us know. We will reply promptly.