Interstitial Lung Disease and Autoimmunity

The research interests include the differentiation program of lymphoid cells in health and disease, using molecular approaches and animal models. The aims comprise the characterization of signal transduction pathways and lymphoid-specific transcription factors that implement cell fate decisions at specific checkpoints. One the one hand, T cell subsets are studied in a range of respiratory disorders, including sarcoidosis, pulmonary hypertension and community-acquired pneumonia. There is also a focus on Th2 cells - along with innate lymphoid cells - in type II immunity, particularly in mice and in human allergic asthma in a longstanding close collaboration with physicians at the Franciscus Gasthuis Rotterdam. On the other hand, B cell receptor signaling is an important topic, particularly the role of Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK), both in B cell differentiation and in autoimmune inflammation and interstitial lung disease (ILD).

• Inflammation and remodeling in various interstitial lung diseases
  • Aim is to investigate the B cell receptor signaling, both in B cell differentiation and in autoimmune inflammation and interstitial lung disease (ILD).
• B and T lymphocytes in autoimmunity and interstitial lung diseases
  • Goals is to understand the role of B cell receptor signaling molecules, particularly BTK, and how aberrant signaling can affect B-T cell interaction and the activation status of naïve B cells.