The IL-2/IL-2R signaling pathway is associated with T1D and other autoimmune diseases, impacting Treg but also many other cell types. We discovered reduced IL-2R signaling in effector CD4 T cells of T1D subjects that is partially explained by autoimmune-associated genetic risk alleles. How reduced IL-2R signaling in effector T cell contributes to T1D pathology is not well understood. We are exploring molecular mechanisms of reduced IL-2 signaling, and modultion of IL-2R signaling in disease progression and with therapy.
Additional Research Projects
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Long Lab.
![Long Research Project Preview - Drivers of CD8 T cells exhaustion in autoimmunity](/sites/default/files/styles/horizontal_landing_card_1x/public/2023-03/long-res-proj-prev-drivers-of-cd8-t-cell-exhaustion.jpg?itok=QGo_eG-i)
Drivers of CD8 T cells exhaustion in autoimmunity
We are investigating what factors promote exhausted CD8 T cells, a cell type associated with better outcome in T1D.
![Long Research Project Preview - Mechanisms of tolerance with autoimmune therapies](/sites/default/files/styles/horizontal_landing_card_1x/public/2023-03/long-res-proj-prev-mechanisms-of-tolerance.png?itok=MtvfQMVX)
Mechanisms of tolerance with autoimmune therapies
We use longitudinal studies to determine immune changes that correlate with disease progression and response to therapy.