McGee's research as a mucosal immunologist focuses on the role of intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) in the intestinal immune response. IEC can secrete several cytokines, such as IL-6, IL-8 and MCP-1, which enhance or suppress both the immune and inflammatory responses. He is examining novel mechanisms, including integrin-extracellular matrix interactions, which regulate IEC production of these cytokines, including the effect on intracellular signaling pathways which regulate cytokine production (e.g. IkBa/NF-kB and JNK/AP-1 pathways). These studies hope to not only help define the defense mechanisms at the intestinal mucosa, but also provide some possible avenues whereby disease treatments or vaccines may utilize the regulatory effects of the IEC.
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