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Nancy Ruddle, PhD

Professor Emeritus of Epidemiology

Contact Information

Nancy Ruddle, PhD

Office Location

Mailing Address

  • Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases

    PO Box 208034, 60 College Street

    New Haven, CT 06520-8034

    United States

Research Summary

We study cell trafficking and inflammation in autoimmunity and lymphoid organ development, particularly the roles of members of the lymphotoxin/tumor necrosis factor (LT/TNF) family. We study acute inflammation and animal models of autoimmune diseases, including Type 1 diabetes mellitus and multiple sclerosis. LT is also crucial for lymphoid organ development; LT deficient mice lack lymph nodes and Peyer’s patches and exhibit profound alterations in spleen and nasal associated lymphoid tissue. Our studies demonstrate that cytokines’ functions in lymphoid organ development and inflammation are similar; they regulate chemokines and vascular adhesion molecules. Ectopic or “tertiary” lymphoid organs arising in chronic inflammation are lymphoid accumulations that permit the presentation of foreign and self-antigens at local sites of inflammation. Our studies on high endothelial venules and lymphatic vessels elucidate developmental mechanisms and point the way towards treatment and prevention of chronic inflammation.

Extensive Research Description

Professor Ruddle's research concentrates on cell trafficking and
inflammation, particularly with regard to the lymphotoxin/tumor
necrosis factor (LT/TNF) family. Her group studies these and other
cytokines in autoimmune and infectious diseases. They study autoimmune
diseases, the inflammatory stage of Type 1 diabetes mellitus, and
experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a model for multiple
sclerosis. Cytokines, autoantigens, or infectious organisms can give
rise to chronic cellular accumulations called "ectopic" or "tertiary
lymphoid organs," through a process termed lymphoid organ neogenesis.
Three “tertiary lymphoid organs” can contribute to diseases and even
serve as a site of prion accumulations. Dr. Ruddle’s group identified a
role for LT in normal lymphoid organ development. Their studies
demonstrate that the roles of the cytokines in lymphoid organ
development and inflammation are similar, in that in both contexts they
induce chemokines and vascular adhesion molecules. The functions of
lymph nodes and tertiary lymphoid organs may be comparable with regard
to antigen presentation, serving both helpful and harmful roles in
defense and autoimmunity.

Coauthors

Research Interests

Lymphoid Tissue

Selected Publications

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