Objective B lymphocytes are key effector cells in adaptive immune responses against foreign antigens, by producing antibodies and processing and presenting the antigen to T lymphocytes. In healthy individuals B lymphocyte differentiation and maturation takes place in the germinal centres of peripheral lymphoid organs.However, in chronic inflammatory autoimmune diseases (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren syndrome) ectopic germinal centres develop at the sites of inflammation, allowing an (auto)antigen dependent immune response, thus perpetuating the inflammation, and eventually breaking the tolerance mechanisms.Therefore, using both mathematical and animal models, the aim of the present proposal is to clarify the genetic, molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying abnormal B lymphocyte development and function and the formation and maintenance of ectopic germinal centres in autoimmune diseases. Fields of science medical and health sciencesclinical medicinerheumatologymedical and health sciencesbasic medicineimmunologyautoimmune diseases Keywords B animal models mathematical models Programme(s) FP6-MOBILITY - Human resources and Mobility in the specific programme for research, technological development and demonstration "Structuring the European Research Area" under the Sixth Framework Programme 2002-2006 Topic(s) MOBILITY-2.1 - Marie Curie Intra-European Fellowships (EIF) Call for proposal FP6-2004-MOBILITY-5 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme EIF - Marie Curie actions-Intra-European Fellowships Coordinator FUNDACAO CALOUSTE GULBENKIAN Address Avenida de berna, 45-a Lisboa Portugal See on map Links Website Opens in new window EU contribution € 0,00
