Research Area A: Evolution and Regulation of Autoreactivity

Research Area A (RA-A) will investigate the interactions between cell populations of the adaptive and the innate immune system leading to the transition of non-pathogenic into pathogenic autoimmunity. RA-A will explore the hypothesis that this transition is driven by the innate immune system, including the complement system and neutrophils, (mis)instructing the adaptive immune system and consequently leading to the emergence and abundant production of pathogenic autoantibodies.
RA-A will seek to develop diagnostic strategies for the early detection of the transition from non-pathogenic into pathogenic autoimmunity and therapeutic strategies to selectively disrupt and reverse this process.