Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Margaret L. Heidrick

Emeritus Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Ph.D., University of Nebraska, 1971

Email: mlheidri@unmc.edu

The ability of the immune system to provide protection from disease declines with increasing age, beginning shortly after sexual maturity. Many age-related diseases, including cancer, can be associated with this deterioration of humoral and cell mediated immunity. The depressed immune function in older individuals has been mainly attributed to defects developing in one of the three types of immunocompetent cells, the thymus-derived- or T-lymphocytes. Macrophages and bone-marrow-derived- or B-lymphocytes are much less affected by the aging process. Surface proteins on lymphocyte membranes play important roles in the generation of immune responses, serving as specific receptors for antigens and in cell-cell interactions. Our studies have shown that T-lymphocytes from old mice have many proteins in their membranes which are different from those in young T-cell membranes. The main objective of this research is to determine 1) how these abnormal proteins develop with age and 2) if their development contributes to the age-related loss of T-cell function.

A second research area involves the study of a specific cytochrome P-450 isoenzyme which is increased in the liver by diabetes, the consumption of alcohol, and fasting. Although this enzyme appears to be involved in the metabolism of normal metabolites, there is evidence that it also catalyzes the activation of some carcinogens, possibly making individuals with high levels of the enzyme (e.g., diabetics and alcoholics) more susceptible to some types of cancer. The objective of the research is to clarify the mode of induction and physiological significance of this cytochrome P-450 enzyme.

Faculty Name: HEIDRICK, MARGARET L