Education/Training/Licensure:
M.D., University of Virginia
Internship, City Hospital; Baltimore, Maryland
Residency, Dermatology, University of Virginia Medical Center; Charlottesville, Virginia
Chief Resident, Dermatology; University of Virginia Medical Center


Board Certification:
National Board of Medical Examiners – 1980
American Board of Dermatology - 1983
Special Qualification in Dermatological Immunology/ Diagnostic and Laboratory Immunology – 1989

Research Interests:
Dr. Swerlick’s research interests focus on the regulation of the expression of proteins that mediate inflammation in the skin, particularly the expression of adhesion molecules on dermal endothelial cells. Adhesion molecules such as VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and E-selectin on dermal endothelial cells play an important role in the trafficking of leukocytes in and out the skin. Dr. Swerlick’s laboratory has characterized tissue specific regulatory features of adhesion molecule expression in dermal microvascular endothelial cells. Recent studies have identified iron-dependent elements of cytokine-induced adhesion molecule induction in endothelial cells. Dr. Swerlick’s laboratory has also demonstrated that iron is essential for activation of a number of pro-inflammatory pathways, including tumor necrosis factor induction of selected NF-kB mediated genes and interferon mediated STAT1 activation.

Dr. Swerlick’s laboratory is also examining the regulation of tissue factor (thromboplastin) in dermal endothelium. Tissue factor plays an important role in initiation of coagulation and in the regulation of angiogenesis. Both transcriptional mechanisms and protein trafficking regulate cell surface expression of tissue factor in dermal endothelial cells. Signaling pathways initiated by pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor induce activation of and new synthesis of transcription factors that are essential for tissue factor gene transcription. In addition, studies in Dr. Swerlick’s laboratory have demonstrated that activation of p38 MAP kinase is also essential for expression of tissue factor in dermal endothelial cells.

While the focus of Dr. Swerlick’s laboratory has been primarily on pro-inflammatory gene regulation, studies of tissue factor protein expression and interferon signaling have defined critical regulatory elements dependent upon trafficking of proteins from cell membranes to endosomes. Protein trafficking studies have been initiated in collaboration with Dr. Andrew Kowalczyk, whose laboratory examines regulation of endothelial cell cadherins and cadherin interactions with endothelial cell cytoskeletal proteins.