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Enric Esplugues, PhD

Associate Research Scientist

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Enric Esplugues, PhD

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Research Summary

Inflammation is a very important component of the host response to infections and tumors. However, excessive inflammation may lead to a variety of pathological states, including different autoimmune disorders. The main interest of our lab is focused on understanding the cellular and molecular basis that lead to the induction, development and resolution of inflammatory disorders that are caused by the dysfunctions of the innate and/or the adaptive immune system. In particular, we are interested in the study of the TH17 cells, a recently identified CD4+ T cell subset distinct from T helper type 1 (TH1) and T helper type 2 (TH2) cells. TH17 cells can drive antigen specific autoimmune diseases and are considered the main population of pathogenic T cells driving experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), the mouse model for multiple sclerosis. The factors that are needed for the generation of TH17 cells have been well characterized. However, where and how the immune system controls TH17 cells in vivo is one of our major interests. To address these questions, our laboratory employs a wide range of experimental techniques to get insight from epigenetics (FISH, 3C, ChIP, EMSA, DHA, genome wide gene expression analyses…) to the whole animal level (genetic approaches including conditional targeting and generation of different reporter mice).

Coauthors

Research Interests

Autoimmune Diseases; Immune System Diseases; Autoimmunity

Public Health Interests

Cancer; Nutrition

Selected Publications

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