Email this pageImmunology, Microbiology & Hematology
Autoreactive B-cells, identified by
anti-idiotypic antibody 9G4 (in green)
do not form germinal centers (GC,
stained blue by anti-CD38 antibody) in
healthy subjects (top). Instead,
they accumulate in the follicular
mantle (stained red by anti-IgD
antibody). In contrast, patients with
SLE (systemic lupus) cannot censor
autoreactive B-cells from forming
productive GC. Illustration courtesy
of Dr. Ignacio Sanz.
Elucidation of the various cell types in blood (neutrophils, macrophages, T-cells, B-cells, erythrocytes, platelets) and their specific role in normal blood function and host defense has transformed medicine and our ability to treat human disease. Several investigators within our program focus their studies on the mechanisms through which the host is normally able to fight off infection and clear cancerous cells, and how when the immune system becomes dysregulated serious autoimmune pathology can occur (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, diabetes). Other investigators study the normal production and function of blood cells, and how dysregulation can lead to various blood diseases, including cancer. Based on this knowledge, there are now FDA approved biologic therapies that target specific cells and their products to ameliorate autoimmune disease and cancer.
Exciting research opportunities are available in several labs within our program to study the molecular genetics and pathophysiology of autoimmunity, microbial and viral pathogenesis, normal development of blood cells, and blood disorders, using genetically engineered animal models and novel therapeutic interventions.
Maturation of erythrocyte precursors is accompanied by progressive loss
of RNA content and c-kit expression, increase in Ter 119 expression,
decrease in cell size, and nuclear condensation. This combination of
phenotypic and morphological changes can be uniquely assayed by
multispectral imaging flow cytometry on ImageStream (Amnis Corp.),
allowing precise investigation of erythroid precursor populations.
Illustration courtesy of Dr. Kathleen McGrath and Scott Peslak from the
laboratory of Dr. James Palis.
Pathways of Human Disease Faculty investigating diseases of the immune system and blood:
Craig Morrell
