Alice S. Prince, MD

Pediatric Infectious Diseases
Infectious Disease, Pediatrics
Treats Children
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Overview

We have been studying the interactions of bacteria and respiratory epithelial cells to understand the pathogenesis of bacterial infection in cystic fibrosis (CF). As airway inflammation is a major component of CF lung disease, our studies have focused on the molecular mechanisms involved in bacteria activation of epithelial proinflammatory cytokine expression. Our approach has been to use bacterial genetic systems to identify virulence genes and adhesins important in the pathogenesis of infection and to delineate the cytokine signaling systems in normal and CF epithelial cells that are activated by these bacterial components.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the major bacterial pathogen in CF. We demonstrated that this organism recognizes asialylated glycolipid receptors on the surface of airway epithelial cells, and that these asialylated receptors are increased in cells with CFTR mutations. Ligation of these receptors by piliated P. aeruginosa, and other pulmonary pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus activates IL-8 expression by airway epithelial cells. The pathway appears to involve recognition of these glycolipid receptors expressed within caveolae on the cell surface, the release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores and the activation of p38 and Erk1/2 mitogen activated protein kinases. This results in the translocation of NF-kB and IL-8 transcription.

As IL-8 functions as the major polymorphonuclear leukocyte chemokine in the lung, this pathway is responsible for the induction of airway inflammation in response to adherent bacteria, or their gene products. Cells with CFTR mutations appear to have increased activation of this pathway, both in response to bacterial pathogens, as well as under unstimulated conditions. In ongoing studies we are identifying the cell components which make up the asialoGM1 receptor-complex as well as the key signaling moieties involved in this pathway. Using a murine model of acute pulmonary infection, we can test the efficacy of therapeutic strategies designed to either prevent infection, or to modulate the inflammatory response mediated by the epithelial cells. Visit the Prince Lab website: https://www.aprincelab.com/

Academic Appointments

  • John M. Driscoll Jr., MD and Yvonne Driscoll, MD Professor of Pediatrics in Division of Infectious Diseases

Hospital Affiliations

  • NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital
  • NewYork-Presbyterian / Columbia University Irving Medical Center

Gender

  • Female

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Insurance Accepted

Affinity Health Plan

  • Essential Plan
  • Medicaid Managed Care

Amida Care

  • Special Needs

Cigna

  • EPO
  • Great West (National)
  • HMO
  • POS
  • PPO

Emblem/GHI

  • Medicare Managed Care
  • PPO

Emblem/HIP

  • ConnectiCare
  • EPO
  • Essential Plan
  • HMO
  • Medicaid Managed Care
  • Medicare Managed Care
  • POS
  • PPO
  • Select Care (Exchange)
  • Vytra

Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield HealthPlus

  • Child/Family Health Plus
  • Essential Plan
  • Medicaid Managed Care

Fidelis Care

  • Child/Family Health Plus
  • Essential Plan
  • Medicaid Managed Care
  • Medicare Managed Care

Healthfirst

  • Child/Family Health Plus
  • Leaf (Exchange)
  • Medicaid Managed Care
  • Medicare Managed Care

Local 1199

  • Local 1199

MagnaCare (National)

  • MagnaCare

Multiplan

  • Multiplan

UnitedHealthcare

  • Compass (Exchange)
  • Empire Plan
  • HMO
  • Medicaid (Community Plan)
  • Medicare Managed Care
  • POS
  • PPO

WellCare

  • Medicaid Managed Care
  • Medicare Managed Care

*Please contact the provider’s office directly to verify that your particular insurance is accepted.

Credentials & Experience

Education & Training

  • Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
  • Internship: Babies & Children's Hospital - Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center
  • Residency: Babies & Children's Hospital - Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center
  • Fellowship: Babies & Children's Hospital - Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center

Board Certifications

  • Pediatrics
  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
America's Top Doctor
NY Top Doctor

Research

Research Interests

  • Bacterial induction of cytokine signaling in epithelial cells