TP A1: Elimination of auto-reactive memory B cells and plasma-cells

This project continues the work of the former GRK student Benjamin Tiburzy (TP13) working with an immunization-induced mouse model for epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA). EBA is an organ-specific autoimmune disease clinically characterized by subepidermal blisters and immunologically by autoantibodies against type VII collagen (COL7), a main constituent of the anchoring fibrils at the dermal-epidermal junction.          

The studies aim to unravel the development of novel therapeutic strategies in EBA and other autoimmune diseases. In detail, antigen specific plasma cells, T cells and germinal center B cells are studied and the effects of various therapeutic treatment strategies on autoreactive B and T cell compartments are analyzed in an organ-specific manner.