Diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and type-1 diabetes occur when immune responses are directed at the body’s own cells and tissues. Investigation in this area involves detailed analysis of the molecular mechanisms underlying the autoimmune response and the development of novel therapeutic and preventative measures for these often fatal diseases. Recent advances suggest that cellular reagents, such as tolerogenic dendritic cells, may have the potential to inhibit immune responses to autoantigens expressed and presented by these cells.
Participating Faculty and Labs
Partha Biswas, Ph.D.
Cytokines in autoimmune disorders with a particular interest in IL-17 and IL-21; Biology of Th17 cells and T Follicular helper cells; Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA); Identify novel therapeutic targets in SLE and RA
Rebecca Elsner, Ph.D.
Extrafollicular B cell responses; cytokine biology; Systemic Lupus Erythematosus; self-reactive B cells
Patrizia Fuschiotti, Ph.D.
Autoimmunity; Tc1/Tc2 differentiation; IL-13/IL-13 receptors expression and function; mechanisms of fibrosis.
Sarah Gaffen, Ph.D.
Defining signal transduction mechanisms and biological function of IL-2 and IL-17 family cytokines, using in vitro and in vivo models
Daniel Kaplan, M.D., Ph.D.
Development of innate and adaptive responses to epicutaneous C. alibcans infection, relationship of pain sensing neurons in the skin with host defense, ability of keratinocytes to retain dendritic cells and T cells in the epidermis, development of humoral responses to cutaneous pathogens, plasticity of individual skin-resident dendritic cell subsets, tolerance and suppression of immune responses by Langerhans cells
Alison B. Kohan, Ph.D.
Regulatory T cell (Treg) metabolism; mechanisms of dietary fat absorption; Treg behavior and function in intestinal disease
Robert Lafyatis, M.D.
Systemic sclerosis; fibroblast, macrophage and endothelial cell biology as it relates to lung and skin fibrosis
Mark Shlomchik, M.D., Ph.D.
Autoimmunity; Blood or Blood Products or Transfusions; Bone Marrow Transplantation; Immunobiology; Immunology; Immunopathology; Immunotherapy; Lymphocytes; Transgenic Animals
Dario Vignali, Ph.D.
Development of inhibitory receptor agonists for the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases; focus on models for Type 1 diabetes and MS