Autoimmune, Musculoskeletal and Hematopoietic Diseases

Defending the body against autoimmune-related tissue damage

Our immune system is a complex set of cells and tissues that protect the body from invaders such as viruses or bacteria. Sometimes, however, this system goes awry and mistakes our own cells as invaders and repeatedly attacks them— this is called autoimmunity. Researchers in the Feinstein Institute’s Center for Autoimmune, Musculoskeletal and Hematopoietic Diseases focus on major types of autoimmune diseases, including arthritis, lupus, hearing disorders, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury and disc degeneration. We extensively research the function of risk genes and the mechanisms of tissue injury and develop novel therapies to treat them.

In the video above, Dr. Betty Diamond’s laboratory studies DNA-reactive B cells in the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus. Her team designs research studies to provide new strategies to protect against this illness as well as other autoimmune diseases.