Rod Rahimi, MD, PhD

Assistant Professor of Medicine

Areas of Expertise: Investigation

Academic Interests

Numerous airway diseases such as asthma, COPD, and Cystic fibrosis are driven or worsened by a maladaptive immune response to inhaled allergens. Our laboratory focuses on defining the mechanisms whereby CD4+ T cells dictate the host response to inhaled allergens. Most individuals develop immune tolerance to allergens, which is dependent on FOXP3+ regulatory T cells, whereas a subset of individuals develop a maladaptive CD4+ T helper type 2 (Th2) cell response that drives allergic inflammation. The mechanisms dictating tolerance versus a pathogenic Th2 cell response remain unclear, precluding our ability to promote or re-establish immune tolerance to allergens. Using murine models and human-derived samples, we use the tools of genetics, immunology, microscopy, and multi-omics approaches to define the differentiation, function, and fate of allergen-specific CD4+ T cells. Our long-term goal is to define novel therapeutic approaches to prevent or durably suppress allergic airway diseases.