Jan Erikson, Ph.D.

Research

Our studies are directed towards understanding the processes in autoimmune disease, infectious disease, and vaccination that guide immune cells down distinct developmental paths resulting in short-term immunity or long-lasting memory formation. Autoimmune diseases are characterized by the presence of specific autoantibodies that are generally absent from the functional repertoire of healthy animals. Our focus has been on autoantibody producing B cells, and on T cells that are required for B cell stimulation. Our objectives have been to define the cellular and molecular interactions that influence autoantibody responses. Influenza viruses and bacterial co-infections are a major health problem. Current studies aim to investigate how the B cell response to influenza virus is induced and regulated with the goal of identifying critical interactions responsible for effective immunity. We are especially interested in the signals that modulate B cell and T cell activation, differentiation and recruitment to the lung following infection and vaccination.