Project Details
Projekt
Changes in lymph node stromal cells by B cell depleting therapies in resolution of inflammation (TP06)
Subject Area
Rheumatology
Term
since 2026
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 550296805
Autoimmune diseases (AID) are caused by harmful B cells and are difficult to treat. CD19-CAR T-cell (CAR) therapy removes these B cells from the lymph nodes, key tissues of the immune system, and can lead to remission without ongoing medication. CAR therapy also disrupts lymph node follicles by depleting follicular dendritic cells (FDCs), important stromal cells that support B cell survival. In contrast, other B-cell therapies like rituximab do not remove FDCs and rarely achieve full remission. This suggests that changes in stromal cells may be linked to lasting recovery. This project aims to explore the role of FDCs and other stromal cells in AID from active disease to remission.
DFG Programme
Collaborative Research Centres
Applicant Institution
Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
Project Head
Dr. Maria Gabriella Raimondo
