Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) associated vasculitis (AAV) is an immune mediated inflammation of blood vessels, associated with presence of ANCA against neutrophil proteins mainly including proteinase 3 (PR3) and myeloperoxidase (MPO). The disease carries a stronger risk in individuals having certain HLA class II alleles and has manifestations in multiple organs. Recently we have shown the presence of autoreactive CD4+T cells that recognize PR3 and investigated their phenotype during different disease states (Sharma RK., et al JASN in revision). Now, we wish to identify precise epitopes on PR3 that are recognized by these CD4+T cells and investigate the repertoire and function of such PR3 autoreactive T cells using variety of assays including but not limited to fluorospot assays, ex-vivo HLA class II tetramer staining and in-vitro antigen driven stimulation of antigen-specific CD4+T cells (Sharma RK et al., Scientific reports 2021). We have an established research group with many years of experience in investigating T and B cells in rheumatoid arthritis, and to various extent also in different rheumatic diseases including SLE, ANCA vasculitis and myositis. The applicant should have a background in biomedicine, molecular biology or similar, and preferably have some lab experience. If you are interested, send your CV and a motivation letter describing your background and research interests to ravi.kumar@ki.se.

Group information:
https://staff.ki.se/orgid/520247

https://centermolecularmed.wixsite.com/my-site/vivianne-malmstr%C3%B6m-group