Dr. Zissis Chroneos' overall research focuses on understanding how surfactant proteins modulate host defense and inflammation in the lung, with a major current focus on influenza pathogenesis, and host pathogen interactions,innate and adaptive immune responses to bacterial and viral infections.

His laboratory is skilled in acquisition and analysis of respiratory physiology parameters to monitor respiratory gas exchange and lung health, analysis and isolation of immune and structural cells, histopathology, intracellular trafficking of influenza virus and other bacterial pathogens and receptor-mediated signaling.

Dr. Chroneos is known for the 1996 discovery of the surfactant protein A (SP-A) SP-A receptor SP-R210 in macrophages. Current studies in his laboratory focus on understanding the role that SP-R210 isoforms play in macrophage polarization, reprogramming and adaptation to dynamic changes in the local microenvironment.

In 2005, Dr. Chroneos determined the molecular identity of SP-R210 as two isoforms of Myo18A and validated their function in phagocytosis of SP-A-opsonized bacteria in 2011 and subsequently in transgenic mice. SP-R210 isoforms mediate homeostatic and immune functions by tissue macrophages through a cross-talk between SP-R210, GM-CSF, IL-4 and interferon receptors. 

In addition to this work, Dr. Chroneos also has interest in the following research areas:

• Understanding a new role of SP-A and SP-R210 in iron sequestration by alveolar macrophages and its impact in pulmonary host defense
• Role of endophilin B2 in epithelial cell regeneration in response to lung injury
• Mechanisms of alveolar simplification in response to hyperoxic injury

Dr. Zissis Chroneos is devoted to medical and graduate education. He is a Master Facilitator for Year 1 and 2 problem-based learning courses for medical students.

In addition, he teaches immunology classes in the College of Medicine, including MICRO560 Principles of Immunology, for which he is the course director.

Dr. Chroneos has mentored and directed the research training of undergraduate and graduate students, medical students, postdoctoral and clinical fellows and junior faculty, and has served on multiple doctoral committees for graduate students and mentoring committees for junior faculty.