Animal models of autoimmunity
Our lab is interested in using animal models of a variety of autoimmune diseases to study the pathogenesis of disease, and to evaluate novel therapeutic agents in preclinical studies. We hope that these studies will someday lead directly to new therapies for humans. We collaborate with members of the Steinman and Fathman labs to explore an animal model of multiple sclerosis (experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, EAE) and an animal model of rheumatoid arthritis (collagen induced arthritis, CIA), respectively. We are also initiating studies in several animal models of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (one in collaboration with Sam Strober’s lab) and a new model of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). Because these studies are not yet published, all we can say is that the studies are progressing nicely, with several publications anticipated in late 2002 and early 2003.
