Alla Fomina Laboratory Current Research

T lymphocytes are cells of the immune system that produce factors regulating the function of other cells of immune system thereby shaping the systemic immune response. CD4+ T lymphocytes play a crucial role in directing the immune responses against foreign pathogens, damaged or transformed cells. However, when deregulated, the T cells may also mediate a number of autoimmune diseases such as type-1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. In addition, activated T cells mediate graft rejection and may significantly affect the development and progression of inflammatory diseases such as cardiovascular disease and stroke. Therefore, understanding the complex molecular mechanisms that regulate T cell effector functions may lead to development of therapeutic strategies designed to treat and/or alleviate T cell-mediated immune system disorders in humans. Our research focuses on unraveling the cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating T cell activation and communication with other cells of immune system. Click on image titles below to learn more information about specific projects.