The laboratory is interested in understanding the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis and immunoregulation of T cell-mediated autoimmune diseases, allergic disease, and rejection of tissue and organ transplants. In particular, we are studying the therapeutic use of short-term administration of costimulatory molecule agonists/antagonists and specific immune tolerance induced by infusion of antigen-coupled apoptotic cells and antigen-encsapsulating biodegradable PLG nanoparticles for the treatment of animal models of multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica, and type 1 diabetes; allergic airway disease; as well as using tolerance for specific prevention of rejection of allogeneic and xenogeneic tissue and organ transplants. Recently, we have shown that PLG nanopartivle tolerance was safe in highly efficacious in a phase 1/2 clinical trial in celiac disease patients. The laboratory is also investigating the mechanisms of regulating acute inflammation using negatively charged PLG nanoparticles in models of traumatic and infectious inflammatory conditions and cancer.