Local immunity in the airway; airway epithelial cell biology; mast cell biology; the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis. A long-recognized property of airway epithelial cells is their function as a complex physical barrier that defends against exposure to potentially harmful inhaled substances and microbial pathogens. It is now clear that airway epithelial cells also regulate both innate and adaptive immunity through production of functional molecules and via physical interactions with immune cells. Our laboratory is focused on the role of epithelial cytokines including BAFF, TSLP and IL-1 family cytokines in the initiation and activation of airway inflammation. Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the sinuses and upper airways that affects over 20 million Americans. Current medications have variable efficacy and over 250,000 surgical procedures are performed annually in the United States on patients who failed maximal medical therapy. Our laboratory investigates the pathogenesis of CRS. We are currently focused on the role of epithelial cells and inflammatory cells including B cells, T cells, macrophages, eosinophils, mast cells and innate lymphoid cells in patients with CRS.