Welcome to the Binstadt Lab

The Binstadt lab is part of the University of Minnesota's Center for Immunology located in Biomedical Discovery District. There, we conduct research at the intersection of autoimmune disease and cardiovascular disease. Rheumatic diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatic heart disease, and systemic lupus erythematosus are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. While inflammation is a critical link between rheumatic diseases and cardiovascular disease, the precise mechanisms controlling this link remain undefined. We are interested in identifying these mechanistic links between autoimmune and inflammatory diseases and cardiovascular disease. Using a pre-clinical model of arthritis and cardiac valve disease, we have uncovered novel roles for myeloid cells, endothelial cells, and a number of immune signaling pathways that drive the development of mitral valve inflammation and fibrosis. You can read more about our research findings here!