Intracellular signaling in autoimmune diseases

(a) Signaling by TCR, BCR, and membrane receptors; by co-receptors CD38 and CD19; and by "Toll-like receptors “TLR2 and TLR4. Study the role of kinases, ERK-1 and 2; AKT1; Lck; Lyn; in the pathogenesis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE); and Psoriasis. (b) Study the alterations in pro-inflammatory and regulatory cytokine involved in the regulation of the differentiation of helper T cell (Th1, Th2, Th17 and Treg) in plasma and gene expression levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients with SLE and Psoriasis. (c) Study the alterations in expression of microRNAs in plasma and PBMC from patients with Psoriasis. (d) Role of human CD38 in BCR and TCR-mediated cell activation, tyrosine phosphorylation and ERK-1 and 2; AKT1 and tyrosine kinases activation. (e) Role of CD38 in lipid rafts (in T and B cells); in exosomes, extracellular vesicles and characterization of signaling networks.