More than seven percent of Americans (over 23 million people) are affected by autoimmune disease, and women comprise nearly 80% of those with autoimmune disease.
In autoimmune diseases, the body’s immune response is excessive and long-lasting, often causing persistent damage to multiple tissues and organ systems. Scientists in our Skin Autoimmunity/Immunogenetics research labs are investigating the genetic etiology and immunological mechanisms that underlie skin inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Our research teams aim to understand the underlying pathology of autoimmune connective-tissue-diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus and scleroderma, particularly the biological basis for their prominent gender-bias.