Autoimmune diseases
Prof Richard Cornall's aim is to understand how the immune system is formed and regulated and the causes of autoimmunity, particularly the systemic autoimmune diseases. His research programme in clinical medicine involves monitoring immune function in human autoimmune diseases. The primary aim of this programme is use the knowledge of basic science to predict and follow markers of the immune response in patients with autoimmunity and immunosuppression. A priority is to study follicular helper T cells and assay the expression of Roquin-dependent proteins in a variety of autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, SLE and vascultiis. Flow cytometry and immunoassays will complement other assays of the immune response, including anti-viral T cell MHC tetramers and ELISPOTs.
Dr Paul Bowness in collaboration with Prof R Cornall will study both the number and phenotype of peripheral blood Follicular helper T cells in patients with active Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) and Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA). The inflammatory immune arthritides, RA, AS and PsA, together have a prevalence of approximately 2%, causing huge morbidity and substantial mortality. For severely affected individuals NICE has approved treatment with potent biological agents including anti-TNF agents and the anti-lymphocyte agent Rituximab for RA. Although their short-term safety profiles are reassuring, the mechanisms of action and the long term effects on immune function of these agents are poorly understood. Dr Bownwss will investigate the mode of action and the potential for serious (infectious) side effects by prospectively studying immune function in patients receiving biologic agents.
