Ari Molofsky, MD, PhD

Innate and innate-like lymphocytes are recently appreciated tissue-resident immune cells with vital roles in the initiation of tissue inflammatory responses. As early responders during tissue perturbation, these cells are integral in shaping both protective and pathologic immune responses, as well as contributing during normal tissue development and remodeling. We are particularly focused on innate lymphocytes that are associated with type 2 ‘allergic’ immune responses. Through understanding the local signals and micro-environments that regulate type 2 immune responses, we hope to manipulate these pathways to both limit allergic pathology (asthma, allergy, atopic dermatitis) and promote beneficial allergic responses in settings of chronic, low-grade inflammatory diseases (cardiovascular disease, metabolic disease) where we and others have found type 2 immunity to be protective. Our group is using a multifaceted approach focused upon in vivo mouse models, including cytokine reporter/deleter mice, advanced imaging with tissue clearing, flow immunophenotyping, genomics, and pathologic challenges.