The Cellular Immunology Laboratory analyses and evaluates immunoregulatory changes involved in immune system cells, in peripheral mononuclear cells in particular. The study focus is on rheumatological diseases in humans and in experimental models of systemic lupus erythematosus and scleroderma. The methodology used involves induction of the disease in the animal model and analyses of cellular function, membrane receptor expression, secretion of cytokines and apoptosis, using culture techniques, cell marking and flow cytometry.
