Viruses that affect the respiratory system are the most common global illness and can have significant medical consequences for people with chronic inflammatory diseases. In this study, we will study immune responses in the airway and blood to these viruses in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that can cause lung inflammation and joint destruction.
We will determine how people with rheumatoid arthritis’ immune response differs and how that affects the severity of their viral illness, autoimmune disease and may lead to changes in lung function.
Additional Research Projects
Discover more research projects from the
Mikacenic Lab.
Immune Checkpoints in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
We are investigating the role of the PD-L1/PD-2 pathway in ARDS pathophysiology and identifying an immune signature of patients at higher risk for poor outcomes.
Macrophage Heterogeneity and Lung Inflammation and Fibrosis
We are identifying novel macrophage subsets and investigating how they contribute to acute hypoxemic respiratory failure and interstitial lung disease.
