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Dendritic Cells

A subset of white blood cells—plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs)—are likely involved in prompting and mediating the immune system's attack on the body's tissues and organs in lupus.

Up to now, these cells were a challenge to study because they make up such a small part of the total population of white blood cells.

To solve this problem, an LRI researcher is developing a novel mouse model designed to isolate the cells so that their role in lupus can be clarified—and manipulating them becomes a possibility.

Jan Erikson, PhD
The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA
Class of 2006

Another LRI researcher is making breakthroughs in figuring out what activates the dendritic cells.

Ian R. Rifkin, MD, PhD
Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
Class of 2002

Boris Reizis, PhD
Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY
Class of 2009

Stefania Gallucci, MD
Temple University of the Commonwealth, Philadelphia, PA
Class of 2013