We focus on the modulation of antigen-specific immune responses, e.g. J Immunol 2011, Eur J Immunol 2013 and J Immunol 2013. We also showed that despite induction of a similar autoantibody response, the clinical outcome after immunization with type VII collagen using different adjuvants, is diverse: If TiterMax is used as an adjuvant, cutaneous blistering resembling epidermolysis bullosa acquisita is induced in the majority of mice. In contrast, mice remain healthy if they had been pre-immunized with the adjuvant Alum. In both experimental settings, that autoantibody response was almost comparable. 

Based on these findings we here will investigate the morphology and function of the T cells during the immunization of mice with type VII collagen. These insights will aid the development of T cell modulatory treatments. 

Sebastian graduated in Novemver 2017. Congratulations!