Dr. Kaplan's laboratory is investigating the pathophysiology of premature atherosclerosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and other autoimmune conditions. Dr. Kaplan has identified that lupus patients develop a profound imbalance of vascular damage and repair caused by type I interferons. Her laboratory is now identifying whether type I interferons are the main drivers of premature vascular damage in lupus patients and the pathways by which interferons mediate abnormal vascular repair. Dr. Kaplan is also studying the phenotype and function of specific cell subsets in lupus, including myeloid dendritic cells and neutrophils, and whether abnormalities in these cells promote abnormal autoimmune responses. In addition, Dr. Kaplan's laboratory is looking into mechanisms of tissue damage in SLE and whether specific pharmacologic interventions can abrogate/ameliorate these complications in lupus and, potentially , in other autoimmune diseases. Dr. Kaplan is also involved in clinical trials to identify novel therapeutic targets to decrease vascular disease in rheumatoid arthritis through modulation of PPAR pathways.