Team TAP

B cells play a central role in the onset and progression of numerous autoimmune diseases. Upon aberrant activation, they can differentiate into plasma cells that generate antibodies targeting self-antigens, contributing to the pathogenesis of these conditions. Autoantibodies are instrumental in causing tissue damage and sustaining chronic inflammation, making plasma cells prime candidates for therapeutic intervention. However, the development of targeted therapies is impeded by the absence of specific biomarkers for autoreactive plasma cells.

The main focus of team TAP is to investigate the deep biology of autoreactive B cells and uncover the mechanisms behind the development and persistence of plasma cells and pathogenic antibodies. By employing a combination of state-of-the-art single-cell transcriptomic profiling and high-throughput antibody analysis, we aim to identify new biomarkers of B cell autoreactivity. Our team’s ultimate goal is to define novel therapeutic strategies specifically targeting autoreactive plasma cells, thus advancing the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of autoimmune diseases.