Research
My core research interests are molecular mechanisms of cytokine regulation and their effects on disease expression in the spectrum from autoinflammation to autoimmunity. Special foci include the autoinflammatory bone disease chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis (CNO), the mixed-pattern disease psoriasis/psoriatic JIA, and the "prototypical autoimmune" disease systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). I am actively involved with consensus treatment plan initiatives of the North American CARRA group (CNO) and treat to target (T2T) initiatives of the German Society of Pediatric Rheumatology (GKJR) (SLE, systemic JIA, CNO). Since 2020, I am co-chair (Europe) of the OMERACT CNO/SAHOP special interest group that aims to develop outcome measures for clinical trials.
My work spans the translational spectrum from "early" laboratory research to the bedside and back. Research acivity of my group aims at translating knowledge from small patient cohorts, daily clinical experience, and laboratory studies into routine patient care.
Chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis
Examining autoinflammatory mechanisms in CNO, my group identified pro-inflammatory phenotypes of monocytes as central players in disease pathophysiology. We’ve focused on dysregulated cytokine responses of monocytes promoting bone inflammation through inflammasome activation. Our findings explain beneficial effects of current treatment options in CNO.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a mixed-pattern disorder combining features from autoinflammatory and autoimmune disorders. My research group is interested in the contribution and phenotypes of TCR+CD3+CD4-CD8- (so-called double negative, DN) T cells in health and disease. Applying state-of-the-art technology, we identified effector DN T cells as major contributors to pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in the skin of patients with psoriasis. After the definition of T cell phenotypes within the DN T cell compartment, we are aiming to i) define signature cytokine expression patterns in effector DN T cells in health and disease, and ii) determine molecular mechanisms orchestrating DN T cell lineage determination.
Systemic lupus erythematosus
SLE is a largely T cell-mediated autoimmune disorder that can affect most organs of the human body. In my laboratory, we are investigating transcription factor networks contributing to epigenetic alterations and effector T cell phenotype generation in SLE. We hope that our work will contribute to novel therapeutic options targeting pathological effector T cell responses in SLE and other autoimmune disorders.
Research grants
Biomarker signatures for the diagnosis of chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis (CNO) – a pilot study
ALDER HEY CHILDREN'S CHARITY (UK)
January 2022 - June 2024
Understanding immune cell:tissue interactions in lupus nephritis: A pathway to target-directed interventions
MERCK LTD (UK)
November 2023 - October 2025
Establishing microbiota-host interactions in seronegative inflammatory arthritis across age groups
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE (UK)
June 2023 - May 2024
Do Salivary Proteins Predict Causes of Oral Ulceration in Children
ALDER HEY CHILDREN'S CHARITY (UK)
September 2022 - August 2025
DETECTIVE: Deciphering the molecular pathophysiology of CNO towards individualized treatment
GREAT ORMOND STREET HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN NHS FOUNDATION (UK)
April 2023 - March 2024
Micro-RNAs as biomarkers and new molecular targets in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
ALDER HEY CHILDREN'S CHARITY (UK)
October 2021 - September 2022
Are yeasts the missing link between the vaginal bacteria and preterm birth?
THE ACADEMY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES (UK)
May 2023 - April 2025
PAtient STratification and Individualized trEatment in Systemic sclerosis (PASTIES)
ALDER HEY CHILDREN'S CHARITY (UK), RAYNAUD'S & SCLERODERMA ASSOCIATION (UK)
November 2022 - December 2025
Systematic Inflammation in Cystic Fibrosis
FUNDING AUTO IMMUNE RESEARCH (UK)
July 2018 - December 2019
Genetic factors in juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (jSLE): future guides for individualized treatment
LUPUS UK (UK)
August 2018 - June 2021
Molecular mechanisms of CNO
MICHAEL DAVIE RESEARCH FOUNDATION (UK)
October 2018 - September 2021
Investigating Serum Protein Expression in Patients with Juvenile Onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
FUNDING AUTO IMMUNE RESEARCH (UK)
July 2018 - December 2019
Research collaborations
Paul McNamara
Molecular mechanisms of hyperinflammation in paediatric and adult COVID-19
Neill Liptrott
Molecular mechanisms of hyperinflammation in paediatric and adult COVID-19
Professor Polly Ferguson
University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
Projects on CNO pathophysiology and treatment
Professor Esteban Ballestar, PhD
Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Barcelona, Spain
Epigenetic events in SLE and psoriasis
Professor George Tsokos, MD
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), Harvar Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
Epigenetic mechanisms in SLE
PD Sigrun Hofmann, MD, PhD
Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
Involvement of aberrant inflammasome activation in CNO; mechanisms of effector T cell generation in psoriasis
Professor Angela Roesen-Wolff, MD, PhD
Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
Involvement of aberrant inflammasome activation in autoinflammatory conditions