Marta Rizzi / Division of Clinical and Experimental Immunology
B cells are the antibody-producing cells in our immune system that play an essential role in the defense against pathogens. B cells can release cytokines and present antigens to T cells thereby regulating the immune response. B cells develop in the bone marrow from hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) before egressing out into the periphery and further maturing in secondary lymphoid organs (spleen, lymph nodes). Upon antigen encounter, B cells develop either into short-lived plasma cells via the extrafollicular pathway or develop through the germinal center into long-lived plasma cells or memory B cells. Defect in B cell function can result in autoimmune diseases, immunodeficiency and immune dysregulation.
Our laboratory is interested in human B cell development, maturation and activation in physiological and pathological conditions. We have developed a unique expertise in in vitro modelling of early and late human B cell development that we combine with molecular and biochemical tools (spectral cytometry, scRNA seq, CRISPR Cas9 gene manipulation, single cell immortalization) in order to address our research questions.
Projects of our lab focus on:
- Regulation of early B cell development
- B cell fate decisions in the periphery
- Interaction of human B cells with the extracellular matrix
- Mechanisms of disease in monogenic defects leading to autoimmunity
- B cell function in rheumatological diseases
- Specific impact of novel targeted therapies on human B lymphocytes