The Rothstein laboratory is primarily interested in factors regulating T and B lymphocyte activation, function, longevity, and apoptosis, especially in animal models of systemic autoimmune disease. A second major interest involves the regulatory functions of Fas-ligand. A third topic of investigation involves animal models of pseudo-GVHD in which TCR transgenic T cells are specifically targeted to either MHC class II+ cells or to the vascular endothelium.