• Patients with inherited and acquired immune system deficiencies have increased susceptibility to opportunistic fungal infections, such as Pneumocystis and Cryptococcus.
  • Progressive bone marrow failure can occur in chronic inflammatory diseases with or without immunodeficiency; however, the link between immune system regulation, fungal infection, and bone marrow failure is unclear.
  • Our recent work suggests that type 1 interferons and B lymphocytes play a role in maintaining hematopoiesis.
  • The goal of this project is to determine how hematopoiesis is maintained during fungal lung infections and the role of lymphocytes and type 1 interferons in this process.

 

Lung granulomas; Pneumocystis infection

 Lung Granulomas

Normal bone marrow containing red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets

Bone Marrow