Franco Rafael D'Alessio, M.D.

Our laboratory has focused in studying immunological mechanisms underlying resolution of lung inflammation and injury. We found a critical role for Regulatory T cells (Tregs) and pro-repair macrophages in controlling excessive innate immune responses in the lung to mediate resolution of lung injury. We found that resolution of lung inflammation is an active process, distinct from early injury, in which Tregs cellular interactions with alveolar macrophages, alveolar epithelium, and other lymphocytes orchestrate a series of events that ultimately lead to lung repair. While cell-based therapy using Tregs represents a therapeutic strategy for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), endogenous Treg control mechanisms to augment their pro-repair function represents a more feasible approach to enhance resolution and improve ARDS outcomes.