Immunoregulation of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Dr. Weinstock’s laboratory studies the regulation of inflammation as it relates to the intestine and other mucosal surfaces.  Helminths are worm-like animals that can live in the intestine or elsewhere in the body.  Using murine models of disease, we study how helminths influence the host's mucosal immune response to limit inflammation.  Helminths induce regulatory immune cells and regulatory pathways in the host.  Active investigation is pursuing the mechanisms that lead to development of these regulatory circuits and how these circuits function.  The research has particular importance for understanding the cause of inflammatory bowel disease and other immunological diseases of people.  These studies may result in novel and inovative new treatment strategies for control of these conditions.