Violeta Rus, MD

Dr. Rus' lab objective is to define the mechanisms that regulate (auto) ab mediated responses in lupus with the goal of developing immune based therapy which can modulate these responses.

Research is performed in both the human system and in the well characterized chronic graft-versus –host disease model of lupus like disease. Current studies are aimed at defining the in vivo role of TNF Related Apoptosis Inducing Ligand (TRAIL) in the development of the (auto)ab mediated immune response.

The focus of the research is on the role of TRAIL in (auto) atg specific clonal expansion, the persistence of the autoimmune response and on the in vivo manipulation of TRAIL-TRAIL R system as a potential therapeutic tool in lupus.