Group Leader: Karina R. Bortoluci

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The Molecular Immunology Lab (Bortoluci Lab),  is mainly focused on the molecular mechanisms of inflammasome activation and their involvement in host resistance against infections and in inflammatory pathologies. 

 

Inflammasomes are cytosolic platforms activated in response to infections and cellular disturbances. These platforms are responsible for the activation of inflammatory caspases-1/11 culminating in the secretion of IL-1beta, IL-18, and the induction of pyroptosis. In addition to these conventional effector mechanisms, our group has been focused on the understanding of novel effector mechanisms mediated by inflammasomes and the impact on macrophages and Central Nervous System (CNS) cells during infections and inflammatory conditions.

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