Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are a key player in mediating self-tolerance and immune homeostasis by modulating the effector function of T helper cells. Our group recently demonstrated that Tregs are also capable of inhibiting and modulating B cells in an antigen-specific manner, suggesting a role for regulatory T cells in regulating the long-live humoral immunity (Gotot et al, PNAS 2012; Gotot et al, Immunol Cell Biol 2018).
Hemophilia A is a bleeding disorder in which a key player of the coagulation cascade, factor VIII, is missing resulting in prolonged bleeding episodes and spontaneous bleedings into joints and muscles. Until today, the protein replacement therapy is the common approach to substitute the missing full-length clotting factor FVIII. However, a main complication of this therapy is the formation of neutralizing anti-FVIII antibodies (inhibitors), which abrogate coagulation and can be life threatening. Inhibitors occur in 30% of all patients. To eradicate these antibodies an immune tolerance induction therapy (ITI) was established. ITI is based on repetitive injections of high dose of plasma-derived or recombinant FVIII, which leads to the restoration of immune tolerance in up to 70% of the patients. Nevertheless, ITI success and duration are difficult to predict and the underlying immune tolerance mechanisms are still unknown.
Therefore, in a translational manner our lab is interested in
The overall goal is to answer the outstanding question: How is high-zone tolerance established and can that be optimized for other autoimmune diseases?
Tel.: +49 228 287 - 11006
Fax: +49 228 287 -11052
jbecker-gotot(at)uni-bonn.de
