In the Hamerman Lab, we are interested in understanding how myeloid cells contribute to both productive and pathological immune responses during infection, inflammatory, and autoimmune diseases.
Our research focuses on monocytes and macrophages, and conventional and plasmacytoid dendritic cells, key players in innate immune responses that set the stage for subsequent adaptive immunity.
We are particularly interested in understanding how signaling by Toll-like receptors (TLRs) is regulated in these innate cells and how dysregulated TLR responses contribute to both initiation and propagation of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and the autoimmune complication macrophage activation syndrome (MAS).
We also have a key interest in monocyte and macrophage development during homeostasis, and how this process changes during inflammation, whether due to infection, inflammatory or autoimmune diseases.
Our research will lead to a better mechanistic understanding of how TLRs and myeloid cells function and will allow for identification of new therapeutic intervention points in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

Jessica Hamerman, PhD
Lab Members

Susan Canny, MD/PhD

Griffin Gessay

Lucy Li

Minjian Ni, MD, PhD

Susana Orozco, PhD

Natalie Thulin

Fanny Vaca Flores

Hayley Waterman
Research Projects

Monocyte-derived inflammatory hemophagocytes in disease

Immune complex activation of pDC IFNα production in lupus

Flightless-1 in lung macrophage and DC development and function
Featured Publications
-
Feb 2022
Immune Mechanisms in Inflammatory Anemia.
Annu Rev ImmunolCanny SP, Orozco SL, Thulin NK, Hamerman JA -
Aug 2021
Signals governing monocyte differentiation during inflammation.
Curr Opin ImmunolOrozco SL, Canny SP, Hamerman JA -
Jan 2019
Chronic TLR7 and TLR9 signaling drives anemia via differentiation of specialized hemophagocytes.
ScienceAkilesh HM, Buechler MB, Duggan JM, Hahn WO, Matta B, Sun X, Gessay G, Whalen E, Mason M, Presnell SR, Elkon KB, Lacy-Hulbert A, Barnes BJ, Pepper M, Hamerman JA -
May 2019
The signaling adaptor BCAP inhibits NLRP3 and NLRC4 inflammasome activation in macrophages through interactions with Flightless-1.
Sci SignalCarpentier SJ, Ni M, Duggan JM, James RG, Cookson BT, Hamerman JA -
May 2019
Cutting Edge: BCAP Promotes Lupus-like Disease and TLR-Mediated Type I IFN Induction in Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells.
J ImmunolChu T, Ni M, Chen C, Akilesh S, Hamerman JA

Meet BRI's Summer 2023 Interns

Lupus Nephritis: New Approach Could Pave the Way for Innovative Treatments
When Jessica Hamerman, PhD, was perusing research papers in 2021, one discovery stopped her in her tracks — and ultimately put her on a whole new research path.

Unmasking Lupus: The Great Masquerader
Hayley Waterman was in college when her mom was diagnosed with a mixed connective tissue autoimmune disease. “It’s similar to lupus but even more vague in definition,” Hayley says.

Benaroya Research Institute Receives $9 Million in Funding, With a Focus on Down Syndrome Research
Read More
Science in Seattle: Lupus Nephritis: New Approach Could Pave the Way for Innovative Treatments
Read more ➡