CHRISTOPHER A REILLY portrait
  • Adjunct Associate Professor, Department Of Anesthesiology
  • Adjunct Professor, Pediatrics
  • Professor, Pharmacology And Toxicology
801-581-5236

Research Keywords

  • TRPV1
  • Respiratory Toxicology
  • Reactive Intermediates
  • ROS
  • P450
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Capsaicin

Presentations

  • “TRPA1/V3-dependent regulation of airway epithelial cell damage and repair triggered by wood/biomass smoke particulate,” Inhaled Particles / NanOEH conference 2023, Manchester, UK. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 05/18/2023.
  • “Role of Transient Receptor Potential Ion Channels in Particle Recognition and Airway Epithelial Cell-Associated Inflammation and Acute Cytotoxicity,” MRC Toxicology Unit, School of Biological Sciences, University of Cambridge, UK. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 09/20/2022.
  • “Role of Transient Receptor Potential Ion Channels in Particle Recognition and Airway Epithelial Cell-Associated Inflammation and Acute Cytotoxicity,” Society of Toxicology SOT/JSOT session, San Diego, CA. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 03/2022.
  • “Role of Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) Ion Channels in Inhaled Pollutant Recognition, Lung Inflammation, Injury and Disease,” University of Utah 2021 Biosciences Symposium. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 09/2021.
  • “Asthma and Air Pollution in Utah: Understanding the Issues and Drivers of Health Effects of Pollutants and Opportunities for Individualized Asthma Treatment,” Dixie State University Forum (TED talk; ZOOM). Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 02/02/2021.
  • “Project 4: TRP channel targets for non-opioid pain management,” DoD Program Year-2 Progress Report, Baltimore, MD. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 11/18/2019.
  • “Understanding Environmental Health Effects and Opportunities for Drug Development and Precision Medicine in the Treatment of Airway Human Diseases,” One Utah symposium, The Air We Breathe: A Multidisciplinary Perspective on Air Quality, University of Utah. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 10/03/2019.
  • “Therapeutic Dilemmas: At the Intersection of Environmental Air Pollutant Exposure, Genetic Variation, and Asthma Control” American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) Webinar Series. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 05/24/2017.
  • “TRPA, V, and M Channels and Air Pollution: "TRPle Trouble” for the Respiratory System and Your Health?” College of Pharmacy Seminar Series, University of Utah. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 01/19/2017.
  • “Variations in Pulmonary Irritant Sensing and Drug Metabolism Pathways: An Opportunity for Precision Asthma Care?” Chinese Association of Science and Technology (CAST), Salt Lake City, UT . Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 10/2016.
  • “TRPA, V, and M Channels and Air Pollution: "TRPle Trouble” for the Respiratory System and Your Health” College of Nanoscale Science, SUNY Polytechnic Institute College of Nanobiosciences and Engineering. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 01/22/2016.
  • “Transient Receptor Potential Ion Channels, Air Pollution, and Human Health Effects: Application of Global and Targeted Screening Methods to Understanding Air Pollution Toxicity,” International Society of Exposure Science (ISES), Las Vegas, NV, USA. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 10/22/2015.
  • “TRP Channels, Air Pollution, and Asthma in Utah” Joint Utah Conference on Safety and Industrial Hygiene. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 10/14/2015.
  • “Activation of TRPV3 by Wood Smoke Particulate Material and Associated Consequences to Lung Epithelial Cells” Mountain West Society of Toxicology, Breckenridge, CO. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 09/24/2015.

Grants, Contracts & Research Gifts

  • TRP Channels and Air Pollution. PI: Reilly, C.A. NIH-NIEHS, 09/17/2009 - 06/30/2024. Total project budget to date: $2,010,955.00
  • NIH-NIDA Bioanalytical Services Laboratory Contract. PI: Reilly, C.A. NIH-NIDA, 03/14/2019 - 03/13/2024. Total project budget to date: $231,500.00
  • Multidisciplinary Pulmonary and Critical Care Training Program. PI: Paine. NIH-NHLBI , 07/01/2022 - 06/30/2027. Total project budget to date: $319,808.00
  • Analysis of Mirtazepine and Methamphetamine: M3 Study with UCSF. PI: Coffin. Heluna Health, 06/01/2021 - 05/31/2024. Total project budget to date: $62,934.00
  • Linking Combustion-Derived Particle Physicochemical Properties to Pathologically Important Responses in Lung Cells. PI: Kelly. NIH-NIEHS, 09/01/2016 - 08/31/2023. Total project budget to date: $713,750.00
  • Pharmacokinetic Evaluation of a Natural Hemp Extract-Based Cosmetic Product after Topical and Oral Application. PI: Yellepeddi. Young Living Essential Oils, 12/01/2021 - 07/01/2023. Total project budget to date: $210,078.00
  • Pulmonary Epithelial TRPV3 and Wood Smoke Injury. PI: Reilly, C.A. NIH-NIEHS, 03/01/2017 - 02/28/2023. Total project budget to date: $1,125,000.00
  • The feasibility of using hair analysis to measure analytes of environmental exposure in suicide decedents. PI: Bakian. Human Health Exposure Analysis Resource (HHEAR) Pilot and Feasibility Program, 07/01/2021 - 06/30/2022. Total project budget to date: $25,000.00
  • Pharmacogenomic and Metabolic Optimization of Glucocorticoid Therapy for Asthma. PI: Reilly, C.A. NIH-NIGMS, 01/01/2017 - 11/30/2022. Total project budget to date: $1,600,000.00
  • Novel Strategies for accelerating non-opioid drug discovery. PI: Olivera. Dept. of Defense, 09/30/2017 - 09/29/2021. Total project budget to date: $9,957,949.00
  • In vitro metabolic profiling, Pharmacokinetics and lead optimization of SMC-01051 and 01055 for treatment of glaucoma. PI: Looper. University of Utah UTAG/USTAR grant, 07/01/2018 - 06/30/2021. Total project budget to date: $315,030.00
  • A study of Amiloride Intranasal Spray for Panic Attacks - Pharmacokinetics of amiloride nasal spray in healthy volunteers. PI: Yellepeddi. Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Research, 04/01/2019 - 03/21/2020. Total project budget to date: $15,124.00
  • Marine symbiotic interactions for discovery of bioactive compounds. PI: Schmidt. NIH-NIGMS , 09/02/2013 - 05/31/2018. Total project budget to date: $950,246.00
  • Pharmacogenomic and Metabolic Optimization of Glucocorticoid Therapy for Asthma. PI: Reilly, C.A. NIH-NIGMS, 01/01/2017 - 11/30/2022. Total project budget to date: $1,600,000.00
  • Inhibiting Bronchoconstriction-Dependent Airway Epithelial Extrusion to Impede the Asthma Inflammatory Cycle. PI: Rosenblatt. American Asthma Foundation Research Program, 07/01/2016 - 06/30/2018. Total project budget to date: $350,000.00
  • Development of TRPV4 Channel Antagonists to Treat Glaucoma. PI: Krizaj. University of Utah Neuroscience Initiative Pilot Collaborative Project Proposal, 06/30/2015 - 06/29/2017. Total project budget to date: $100,000.00
  • TRPA1 Gain of Function Polymorphisms in Pollution Associated Asthma Exacerbations. PI: Reilly C.A., Brian Stone. Department of Pediatrics, 10/01/2014 - 09/30/2016. Total project budget to date: $50,000.00
  • Pharmacokinetics and Analgesic Properties of Inhaled Remifentanil. PI: Sakata. University of Utah Department of Anesthesiology Research Fund, 09/01/2013 - 07/01/2016. Total project budget to date: $25,000.00
  • P450-Mediated Dehydrogenation Mechanisms. PI: Reilly C.A. NIH-NIGMS, 01/10/2010 - 12/31/2014. Total project budget to date: $864,000.00
  • Transcript Profiling and Xenobiotic Metabolite Identification from Rabbitfish Livers. PI: Srivastava, Reilly C.A. NSF-University of Guam Marine Laboratory, 10/01/2010 - 09/30/2011. Total project budget to date: $25,000.00
  • STTR Phase I: Retrievable Blood Oxygen Carrier System. PI: Ostifen. NIH/NHLBI, 08/01/2009 - 08/01/2011. Total project budget to date: $357,318.00
  • TRPM8 Variant Activation by Novel TRPM8 Agonists. PI: Reilly C.A. Dendreon Corporation, 09/01/2009 - 02/28/2010. Total project budget to date: $30,856.00
  • TRP Channels in Acute Lung Injury and Bronchial Hyper-Reactivity. PI: Reilly C.A. University of Utah Department of Anesthesiology Research Fund, 07/01/2009 - 06/30/2010. Total project budget to date: $30,869.00
  • 3-Methylindole-Induced Lung Injury. PI: Yost. NIH-NHLBI , 03/17/2006 - 03/31/2010. Total project budget to date: $1,334,032.00
  • P450-Mediated Dehydrogenation Mechanisms. PI: Yost. NIH-NIGMS , 01/01/2006 - 12/31/2009. Total project budget to date: $753,496.00
  • Mechanisms of Vanilloid (Capsaicin) Receptor-Mediated Lung Cell Death. PI: Reilly C.A. NIH-NHLBI , 04/07/2003 - 03/31/2007. Total project budget to date: $525,000.00
  • Responses of Lung Cells to Metals in Manufactured Nanoparticles. PI: Veranth. US-EPA , 01/01/2005 - 09/30/2007. Total project budget to date: $75,617.00
  • Analysis of 1AD, its metabolites, and related endogenous hormones by mass spectrometry. PI: Reilly C.A. United States Anti-doping Agency, 04/01/2002 - 03/31/2003. Total project budget to date: $31,320.00
  • The Role of the Capsaicin Receptor (VR1) in Human Lung Epithelial Cell Toxicity. PI: Reilly C.A. Colgate-Palmolive Corporation-SOT, 04/01/2001 - 03/31/2002. Total project budget to date: $35,000.00

Research Interests

My laboratory has three areas of research: TRP ion channels in lung physiology and disease, mechanistic studies of drug metabolizing enzymes, and biological applications of mass spectrometry.

  1. TRP ion channels are a family of proteins that exhibit unique functional properties and associated physiological functions. We are interested in how TRP channels regulate physiological and adverse events in the lung, with particular emphasis on the ability of these channels to elicit deleterious pulmonary inflammation and lung cell death when activated by endogenous and/or exogenous agonists; pulmonary inflammation and acute lung damage are two critical components of lung diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema, fibrosis, and acute lung injury/ARDS. Our research is to establish roles of different members of the TRP ion channel family in the development and progression of lung injury and diseases and we have an active research program investigating receptor targets of pneumotoxicants and potential therapeutic inhibitory chemicals, the identification of specific cellular pathways that modulate deleterious and/or beneficial responses of lung cells to TRP channel agonists, and evaluation of TRP channel-dependent pathways in adverse outcomes in experimentally-induced disease states. Currently we are funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) to determine how different components of polluted air adversely affect the human respiratory system.
  1. Xenobiotic metabolism is a collective process by which chemicals that enter our body are modified. We are interested in how human cytochrome P450 enzymes transform chemicals to pharmacologically and/or toxicologically inactive vs. toxic reactive intermediates that damage cellular macromolecules, cells, and organ systems. We have two primary areas of focus: 1) enzymatic and chemical mechanisms of oxygenation vs. dehydrogenation of substrates and analysis of modified biological macromolecules (i.e., DNA and protein) by electrophiles, particularly with respect to such processes in lung tissue; and 2 the elucidation of how variations in drug metabolism mechanisms and efficiency dictate the pharmacological and/or toxicological properties of inhaled and/or systemically-delivered therapeutic drugs. Currently research in this area is supported by grants from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) and Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD).
  1. Mass spectrometry is a versatile and powerful analytical technology that has revolutionized mechanistic pharmacology and toxicology studies. We use mass spectrometry to quantify a variety of substances in diverse matrices, to establish structures and metabolic origins of drug metabolites in P450 reactions, to discover unknown bioactive substances that have measurable biological activity using metabolomics-based methodology, and to identify macromolecular targets of toxic electrophiles generated by P450s. Mass spectrometric analysis is a routine approach used by our laboratory and it is supported by a variety of research grants, sub-contracts, and collaborations.

 

Languages

  • English, fluent.

Publications

  • Sturrock, A. & Zimmerman, E., Reilly, C, Burrell-Gerbers, K, Warren, K., Mir-Kasimov, M., Helms, M.N., Paine, R. (2023). Aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation in pulmonary alveolar epithelial cells limits inflammation and preserves lung epithelial cell integrity. J. Immunol. Accepted, 05/10/2023.
  • Fabian, N.J. & Mannion, A.J., Jamiel, M., Anderson, D.J., Rower, J., Reilly, C.A., Menegas, W., Muthupalani, S., Ta, C., Fox, J.G., Kramer, R., Haupt, J.L. (2023). Evaluation and comparison of pharmacokinetic profiles and safety of two extended-release buprenorphine formulations in common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus). Sci. Reports. Published, 01/2023.
  • Rapp, E. & Lu, Z., Deering-Rice, C.E., Sun, L, Nguyen, N.D., Almestica-Roberts, M., Burrell, K.L., and Reilly, C.A. (2023). Mechanisms and Consequences of Variable TRPA1 Expression by Airway Epithelial Cells: Effects of TRPV1 Genotype and Environmental Agonists on Cellular Responses to Pollutants and Asthma. Env. Health Persp. Published, 01/2023.
  • Warren, K. & Deering-Rice, C., Huecksteadt, T., Trivedi, S., Venosa, A., Reilly, C., Sanders, K., Clayton, F., Wyatt, T.A., Poole, J.A., Heller, N.M., Leung, D., and Paine, R (2023). Steady-state estradiol triggers a unique innate immune response to allergen resulting in increased airway resistance. Biol. Sex. Differ. Published, 01/2023.
  • Memon, T. & A., Sun, L., Almestica-Roberts, M, Deering-Rice, C.E., Moos, P.J., Reilly, C.A. (2023). Inhibition of TRPA1, Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress, Human Airway Epithelial Cell Damage, and Ectopic MUC5AC Expression by Vasaka (Adhatoda vasica; Malabar Nut) Tea. Pharmaceuticals. Published, 01/2023.
  • Yellepeddi, V.K. & Battaglia, M., Davies, S.J.C., Alt, J., Ashby, S., Shipman, P., Anderson, D.J., Rower, J.E., Reilly, C., Voight, M., Mim, S.R (2023). Pharmacokinetics of Intranasal Amiloride in Healthy Volunteers. Clin. Transl. Sci. Published, 01/2023.
  • Sun, L. & Zhang, J., Niu, C., Deering-Rice, C.E., Hughen, R.W., Lamb, J.G., Rose, K., Chase, K.M., Almestica-Roberts, M., Walter, M., Schmidt, E.W., Light, A.R., Olivera, B.M., and Reilly, C. A (2023). CYP1B1-derived epoxides modulate the TRPA1 channel in chronic pain. Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B. Published, 01/2023.
  • Beierle, J. & Yao,E., Goldstein, S., Lynch, W., Scotellaro, J., Sena, K., Wong, A. Linnertz, C., Averin, O., Moody, D., Reilly, C. Peltz, G., Emili, A., Ferris, M., and Bryant, C (2022). Zhx2 is a candidate gene underlying oxymorphone metabolite brain concentration associated with state-dependent oxycodone reward. J. Pharmcol. Exp. Ther. Published, 01/2022.
  • Kaur, K. & Mohammadpour, R., Sturrock, A., Ghandehari, H., Reilly, C., Paine, R., Kelly, K. (2022). Comparison of Biological Response between Submerged, Pseudo-Air-Liquid Interface, and Air-Liquid Interface Exposure of A549 and Differentiated THP-1 Co-cultures to Combustion-Derived Particles. J Environ Sci. Health A, Tox Hazard Subst. Environ. Eng. Published, 01/2022.
  • Kaur, K. & Mohammadpour, R., Ghandehari, H., Reilly, C., Paine, R., Kelly, K. (2022). Effect of Combustion Particle Morphology on Biological Responses in a Co-culture of Human Lung and Macrophage Cells. Atmospheric Env. Published, 01/2022.
  • Kaur, K. & Jaramillo, I.C., Mohammadpour, R., Sturrock, A., Ghandehari, H., Reilly, C., Paine, R., Kelly, K. (2022). Challenges Associated with Obtaining Distinct Size Fractions of Combustion-Derived Particles for in Vitro Toxicological Studies. J. Aerosol Sci. Published, 01/2022.
  • Nguyen, J. & Deering-Rice, C.E., Armstrong, B., Massa, C., Reilly, C.A., and Venosa, A. (2022). Parenchymal and Inflammatory Cell Responses to Single and Repeated Ozone Exposure in Healthy and Surfactant Protein-C Mutant Lung. Toxicol. Sci. Published, 01/2022.
  • Mensah, J.A. & Johnson, K., Reilly, C.A., Wilcox, K.S., Rower, J.E., and Metcalf, C.S. (2022). Evaluating the efficacy of prototype antiseizure drugs using a preclinical pharmacokinetic approach. Epilepsia. Published, 01/2022.
  • Kaur, K. & Overacker, D., Ghandehari, H., Reilly, C., Paine, R., Kelly, K.E. (2021). Determining real-time mass deposition with a quartz crystal microbalance in an electrostatic, parallel-flow, air-liquid interface exposure system. J. Aerosol Sci. Published, 01/2021.
  • Imburgia, C.E. & Rower, J.E., Green, D., McKnight, A., Kelley, W., Reilly, C.A., and Watt, K.M. (2021). Remdesivir and GS-441524 Extraction by Ex Vivo Extracorporeal Life Support Circuits. ASAIO Journal 68. Published, 01/2021.
  • Niu, C. & Leavitt, L.S., Lin, Z., Paguigan, N.D., Sun, L., Zhang, J., Torres, J.P., Raghuramen, S., Chase. K, Cadeddu, R., Karthikeyan, M., Bortolato, M., Reilly, C.A., Hughen, R.W., Light, A.R., Olivera, B.M., and Schmidt, E.W. (2021). Neuroactive Type‑A γ‑Aminobutyric Acid Receptor Allosteric Modulator Steroids from the Hypobranchial Gland of Marine Mollusk, Conus geographus. J.Med. Chem. Published, 01/2021.
  • Paguigan, N. & Tun, J., Leavitt, L., Lin, Z., Chase, K., Dowell, C., Deering-Rice, C., Lim, A., Karthikeyan, M., Hughen, R., Zhang, Ji., Peterson, R., Reilly, C., Light, A., Raghuraman, S., McIntosh, M., Olivera, B., Schmidt, E. (2021). Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial antagonist polyamides from tunicates and their predatory sea slugs. ACS Chem. Neurosci. Published, 01/2021.
  • Burrell, K.L. & Nguyen, N.D., Deering-Rice, C.E., Memon, T.A., Almestica-Roberts, M., Rapp, E., Serna, S.N., Lamb, J.G., and Reilly, C.A. (2021). Dynamic Expression of TRPV3 and Integrated Signaling with Growth Factor Pathways During Lung Epithelial Wound Repair Following Wood Smoke Particle and Other Forms of Lung Cell Injury. Mol. Pharmacol. Published, 01/2021.
  • Paguigan, N.D, Yan, Y., Karthikeyan, M., Chase, K., Carter, J., Leavitt, L.S., Lim, A.L., Lin, Z., Memon, T., Christensen, S.B., Bentzen, B.H., Schmitt, N., Reilly, C.A. & Teichert, R.W., Olivera, B.M., Raghuraman, S., and Schmidt, E.W. (2021). The tunicate metabolite 2-(3,5-diiodo-4-methoxyphenyl)ethan-1-amine targets ion channels of vertebrate sensory neurons. ACS Chem. Biol. Published, 01/2021.
  • Zhu, J. & Tian, K., Reilly, C.A., Qui, X (2020). Capsaicinoid metabolism by the generalist Helicoverpa armigera and specialist H. assulta: Species and tissue differences. Pesticide Biochem and Physiol. Published, 01/2020.
  • Memon, T.A. & Nguyen, N.D., Burrell, K.L., Scott, A.F., Almestica-Roberts, M., Deering-Rice, C.E., Reilly, C.A. (2020). Wood Smoke Particles Stimulate MUC5AC Overproduction by Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells through TRPA1 and EGFR Signaling. Toxicol. Sci. Published, 01/2020.
  • Nguyen. N.D. & Memon, T.A., Burrell, K.L., Almestica-Roberts, M., Rapp, E., Sun. L., Scott, A.F., Deering-Rice, C., Rower, J.E., Reilly, C.A. (2020). Transient Receptor Potential Ankyrin-1 (TRPA1) and Vanilloid-3 (TRPV3) Differentially Regulate Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Cytotoxicity in Human Lung Epithelial Cells Following Pneumotoxic Wood Smoke Particle Exposure. Molec. Pharmacol. Published, 01/2020.
  • Linakis, M. & Rower, J., Susan Sorenson, S., Reilly, C., Lambert, L., Williams, R., Burch, P. (2020). Stability of Oxandrolone in Medium-Chain Triglyceride Oil and Pharmacokinetics Following Buccal Administration of the Extemporaneous Formulation in Neonates and Adults. J. Ped. Pharmacol. Therapeutics. Published, 01/2020.