TP B6: Pathomechanisms in experimental systemic sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a systemic autoimmune disorder with multiple organs involvement and heterogeneous clinical manifestations. It is characterized by fibrosis in skin and visceral organs, vasculopathy and autoimmunity. The pathogenic mechanisms of SSc is still largely unknown.

Recently, our group have developed a novel mouse model for SSc through immunizing mice with human AT1R (hAT1R). Besides generation of autoantibodies against AT1R, the hAT1R-immunized mice develop skin fibrosis and show inflammation in the skin and lung. Therefore, this mouse model provides a new research tool for investigating the pathomechanisms in SSc.

In this project, we aim to investigate the role of CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells and B cells in this novel mouse model of SSc.