Tissue inflammation upon chronic rheumatic diseases

Description

Patients with chronic rheumatic diseases suffer from frequent and severe courses of infections. In particular, a high inflammatory burden increases the risk for secondary infections. Inflammatory responses can differ a lot within different tissues. The aim of this project is to characterize the tissue inflammation in different chronic rheumatic diseases to develop better treatment strategies against inflammation. Thus, not only autoimmunity but also the risk for resulting secondary infections can be reduced. 
A specific focus is laid on the connective tissues disease systemic sclerosis. The pathophysiology of systemic sclerosis is still unclear. Affected patients suffer from severe inflammation of the skin and blood vessels, the lung, and the cardiac system. In close collaboration with the Hannover Medical School, immune cells from inflamed tissue of such patients are analyzed. This approach shall help to identify novel therapy objectives for patients with systemic sclerosis. 

Funding

Hannover Biomedical Research School (HBRS) and the Centre for Infection Biology (ZIB); DFG-funded "International research training group" (IRTG) 1273; Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) Klinische Forschergruppe (KFO 250)