Autoimmunity, immunologic tolerance, and gene therapy.

Research in our laboratory focuses on three major themes: 1. Costimulation and cell death in autoimmunity. 2. Molecular mechanisms of immunologic tolerance. 3. Gene therapy of autoimmune diseases. We have performed a large series of experiments using T cell receptor (TCR) transgenic mice examining mechanisms of autoimmunity and peripheral T cell tolerance. A major focus of our current research is to understand the roles of costimulation and cell death in T cell tolerance and T cell-mediated autoimmune diseases. This involves studies of the TCR, the costimulatory molecules, and the cytokines. We are also exploring novel strategies for the treatment of autoimmune diseases by gene transfer.