Rheumatology Research

Rheumatology Research

The Rheumatology Division has an active basic and clinical research program in the field of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) headed by Dr. George Tsokos. The laboratory, which consists of over 6,000 square feet of bench space, is located in the Clinical Life Science Building.

The Lupus Center of Excellence supports basic and translational studies in SLE and provides clinical care to patients across multiple disciplines such as rheumatology, nephrology and dermatology. 

Investigations are supported by highly competitive grants from the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense, and additional funding from foundations and pharmaceutical companies. Present funding exceeds 3.0 million dollars annually.

Research activities within the Division include:

• Study of immune cell signaling events in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
• Study of regulatory T cells in patients with autoimmune diseases
• Study of Il-17 producing cells in autoimmune diseases
• Study of mechanisms that are involved in the development of lupus nephritis
• Studies to understand the propensity of patients with lupus to infections
• Study of the role of complement in the expression of tissue damage
• Preclinical studies in lupus-prone mice and other engineered mice to characterize disease mechanisms and to develop novel therapeutics

The laboratory uses a broad range of approaches including:

• Use of patient material
• Lupus-prone mice
• Genetically engineered mice
• Metabolomics
• RNA sequencing and single cell sequencing
• Bioinformatics

Learn more about the Tsokos Lab.