B cells have a pivotal function in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, such as Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) and primary Sjoegren`s Syndrome (pSS). B cells thereby orchestrate (auto-)antigen presentation, cytokine production and (auto-)antibody production, the latter via their differentiation into antibody secreting plasmablasts and plasma cells. Our research focusses on how B cells regulate inflammation in different immune niches, such as the skin, adipose tissue and the gut. To address cell-cell and cell-niche interactions, we employ in vitro co-culture systems, state-of-the-art single-cell analysis methods like advanced multi-colour flow cytometry and single-cell RNA sequencing, but also modern imaging techniques like whole organ 3D imaging and image cytometry.
By interacting with immune or hematopoietic cells, B cells might shape the pro-fibrotic tissue niches. A better understanding of the pro-fibrotic immune niches, especially the involvement of B cells will lead to better, and more personalized treatment options of autoimmune diseases.
