Iwona Koenig, PhD
CURRENT APPOINTMENTS
LANGUAGES
RESEARCH PROGRAMS AND AFFILIATIONS
RESEARCH INTERESTS
My laboratory is interested how the activation and potential dysregulation of the innate immune system contributes to the onset and progression of autoimmune diseases such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). We were initially researching if and how viral RNAs can trigger SLE-like symptoms, and interestingly we found intracellular, antiviral pathways that converge at mitochondria can be activated in SLE patients in the absence of any viral infection. This activation correlates with the high type I interferon (IFN) signature which is characteristic for individuals with SLE. We found that oxidative stress plays an important role in the dysregulation of these innate immune pathways. Therefore, we have expanded our research to identify environmental factors that generate oxidative stress, which in turn leads to metabolic dysregulation and ultimately to SLE pathology. Our long-term goal is to develop refined approaches to diagnose the causes of SLE, and to stratify therapeutic treatments for SLE patients.