Rod Rahimi

The Rahimi lab investigates the mechanisms controlling the host response to noxious, environmental antigens. We are particularly interested in understanding why protease allergens, which are ubiquitous in our environment, induce markedly distinct immune responses in different individuals. Specifically, why do some individuals develop and maintain immune tolerance to protease allergens while others develop a maladaptive CD4⁺ T cell response that causes chronic allergic disease? Why do some individuals develop allergic disease at one barrier site, but not another despite both sites being exposed to allergen? Why do some atopic individuals maintain mild symptoms in response to allergen exposure while others progress to severe disease? We use murine models and human-derived samples to study the differentiation, trafficking, function, and memory of allergen-specific CD4⁺ T cells in vivo, including pathogenic T helper type 2 (Th2) cells and regulatory T cells. Our long-term goal is to develop novel preventative and therapeutic approaches to promote immune tolerance to allergens.