Inés Colmegna

Biography

Division:  Associate Members Branch:  Immunology, Autoimmunity, Host Defense Location:  MUHC Research Institute, 1001 Boul. Decarie

Research Interest

Role of stem cells in rheumatoid arthritis  My lab research focuses on defining basic mechanisms accounting for the disruption of immune tolerance in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We are specifically interested in understanding the role that adult stem cells have in initiating and perpetuating this disease. Ongoing studies aim to characterize the biology of human hematopoietic and mesenchymal stem cells in patients with recent onset and established RA, the cross talk between stem cells and other immune cells, and the impact that interventions targeting stem cells have on the restoration of immune function. Selected publications:  Implications of multipotent mesenchymal stromal cell aging. Stochaj U, Kodiha M, Shum-Tim D, Colmegna I. Regen Med. 2013;8(2):211-22. Current understanding of rheumatoid arthritis therapy. Colmegna I, Ohata BR, Menard HA. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2012;91(4):607-20. Dampened ERK signaling in hematopoietic progenitor cells in rheumatoid arthritis. Colmegna I, Pryshchep S, Oishi H, Goronzy JJ, Weyand CM. Clin Immunol. 2012; 143(1):73-82. Defective proliferative capacity and accelerated telomeric loss of hematopoietic progenitor cells in rheumatoid arthritis. Colmegna I, Diaz-Borjon A, Fujii H, Schaefer L, Goronzy JJ, Weyand CM. Arthritis Rheum. 2008;58(4):990-1000.