Research focus: |
Medizinische Poliklinik
Klinikstrasse 6-8, 97070 Würzburg Mail: tony_h@medizin.uni-wuerzburg.de Url: http://www.uni-wuerzburg.de/medpoli/Abteilng/Rheuma.html |
Scientific members:
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Research foci (and basic equipment-based research projects):
1. B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia is characterized by a profound immune suppression next to the development of autoimmune phenomena. Therefore the interaction of B-CLL cells with cells of the immune systems is of major interest. The analysis of signal pathways on the molecular level will eventually reveal important mechanisms of immune suppression and lead to the development of new therapies.
2. Mechanisms contributing to the onset of autoimmune disease are still not very well understood. Functional data provide good evidence for B-lymphocytes to be directly involved in the development and propagation of T-cell mediated autoimmunity besides the production of disease relevant antibodies. The pathogenetic role of B-cells for various autoimmune diseases is therefore important. B-cell dependent mechanisms of immunmodulation are studied in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and connective tissue diseases.
3. Clinical multicenter studies for therapy strategies of inflammatory joint diseases.