Ciriaco Piccirillo, PhD
Primary Axis:
Infection and Immunity Research Focus:
Research efforts are focused on the investigation of the immune regulation of autoimmune and infectious diseases mediated by CD4+CD25+ regulatory T (Treg) cells. CD4+CD25+ Treg cells represent a unique subset of peripheral CD4+ T cells mediating peripheral immunological tolerance. The laboratory uses an array of experimental approaches including cell and molecular biology, imaging, proteomics, genomics, animal models and clinical research to understand the mechanisms by which CD4+CD25+ Treg cells dampen inflammation and immune function. This research may lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies to manipulate T cell regulatory activity in autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases.
External Website:
External Website Keywords:
Immunology, autoimmune diseases, infectious disease, diabetes, regulatory T cells, immunosuppression, imaging, proteomics, genomics.
Location:
Duff Medical Building Publications:
Piccirillo CA, Ciriaco A, Letterio JJ, Thornton AM, McHugh RS, Mamura M, Mizuhara H, Shevach EM. CD4+CD25+-mediated suppression of T cell activation in vitro is independent of TGF-1 production and responsiveness. Journal of Experimental. Medicine 2002; 196: 237-246.
Belkaid Y, Piccirillo CA, Mendez S, Shevach EM, Sacks DL. CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells control Leishmania major persistence and immunity. Nature 2002; 420: 502-507.
Piccirillo CA, Shevach EM. Cutting edge: Control of CD8+ T cell activation by CD4+CD25+ immunoregulatory cells. Journal of Immunology 2001; 167: 1137-1140.
