A macrophage engulfs green-fluorescent RBCs

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune disease where our immune system destroys our own platelets. As platelets are a key element helping to control blood loss (hemostasis), patients with ITP can have severe bleeding. One plasma-derived antibody therapeutic which can treat this disease is a product called anti-D and we study how anti-D may work in ITP. We are also interested in understanding the pathophysiology of this disease. Potential students or postdoctoral fellows are invited to contact Dr. Lazarus to talk about opportunities related to understanding and treating ITP or other autoimmune diseases.

IVIg is a therapeutic preparation of antibodies derived from the plasma of healthy blood donors and is used to treat a number of different autoimmune diseases successfully. Our laboratory performs research attempting to understand how IVIg works and we are actively working on IVIg substitutes (e.g., antibodies to CD44 can mimic IVIg in ITP and arthitis). Opportunities for graduate students or postdoctoral fellows to work on mechanisms of action of IVIg or anti-CD44 are always available. Please contact Dr. Lazarus to discuss a project that might best suit you.

HDFN occurs when a mother who does not express the RhD antigen on her red cells (RhD negative) gives rise to a child who expresses this antigen. HDFN can be successfully prevented by administering anti-D to the mother during and after pregnancy. In fact, this use of anti-D is one of the most successful therapeutic interventions we have in our immunology toolkit. Despite this, we have a very poor understanding of how anti-D actually works. Opportunities are available to work on a murine model. Contact Dr. Lazarus to discuss what opportunities could be available for you