Dr. Cerosaletti’s research is focused on the role of the adaptive immune system in the development and progression of immune mediated diseases and the response to treatment.
Current research is examining the role of T cells in the development and progression of autoimmune type 1 diabetes (T1D), and the response to immunotherapy in T1D. The lab is identifying transcriptional and T cell receptor signatures of islet autoreactive CD4 T effector cells and regulatory T cells that are linked to disease course.
The Cerosaletti lab is also examining the expansion of stem-like CD4 memory T cells in T1D which may serve as a reservoir of autoreactive T cells in T1D.
Additionally, Dr. Cerosaletti has a longstanding research interest in the molecular genetics of immune disorders to establish functional links between genetic variants and alterations in the immune response leading to loss of tolerance, viral response and response to therapy. Current work is focused on the impact of genetic variants in the response to peanut allergy immunotherapy.
Karen Cerosaletti, PhD
Research Projects
Autoreactive T cells in type 1 diabetes
Genetics of response to allergy immunotherapy
Stem-like memory CD4 T cells in type 1 diabetes
Featured Publications
Expanding the Case for Hybrid Insulin Peptides in Type 1 Diabetes.
Diabetes
A molecular basis for milk allergen immune recognition in eosinophilic esophagitis.
J Allergy Clin Immunol
Identification of a novel PDC-E2 epitope in primary biliary cholangitis: Application for engineered Treg therapy.
J Autoimmun
IKZF1 and UBR4 gene variants drive autoimmunity and TH2 polarization in IgG4-related disease.
J Clin Invest
Germline-like TCR-α chains shared between autoreactive T cells in blood and pancreas.
Nat Commun
Interview with Dr. Megan Smithmyer: Type 1 Diabetes Biorepository (BRIDge Study)
Exploring Alpha: Deep Dive into T Cells Unveils Possible Driver of T1D
A team led by Peter Linsley, PhD, and Karen Cerosaletti, PhD, recently uncovered a clue that could help solve the mystery of why and how T1D starts and maybe even open the door to new therapies that stop the disease.
Understanding EOE: New Studies Shed Light on Complex Condition
Eosinophilic esophagitis (EOE), a rare immune system condition that’s connected to food allergies and causes serious inflammation in the esophagus. A BRI research team, led by Karen Cerosaletti, PhD, and Steven Ziegler, PhD, launched a study asking some key questions about EOE.
News
Milk-Specific T Cell Suggests that Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) is a Food Allergy
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Benaroya Research Institute Awarded More Than $14 Million Across 11 Grants To Help Predict, Prevent, Reverse and Cure Immune System Diseases
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