The convergence of autoimmunity and immunodeficiencies within the realm of the immune system reflects a compelling paradox in human health.
While autoimmunity involves the immune system mistakenly attacking its own tissues, immunodeficiencies, on the contrary, signify a compromised ability to ward off external threats such as infections.
Our specialized outpatient clinic focuses on patients with these rare, orphan diseases.
The exploration of patients necessitates a comprehensive approach encompassing cellular, molecular, and genetic analyses to unravel the intricate mechanisms underlying these disorders.
Understanding this delicate equilibrium between autoimmunity and immunodeficiencies is essential for unraveling the mysteries of immunemediated inflammatory diseases and paving the way for targeted and personalized therapeutic interventions.
Current members
As of January 2024.
Publications Highlights
Reactogenicity and immunogenicity of the second COVID-19 vaccination in patients with inborn errors of immunity or mannan-binding lectin deficiency.
Göschl L, Mrak D, Grabmeier-Pfistershammer K, Stiasny K, Haslacher H, Schneider L, Deimel T, Kartnig F, Tobudic S, Aletaha D, Burgmann H, Bonelli M, Pickl WF, Förster-Waldl E, Scheinecker C, Vossen MG.Front Immunol. 2022 Sep 14;13:974987. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.974987. eCollection 2022.
The data support the efficacy and safety of a COVID-19 vaccination in patients with IEIs/MBLdef.
Histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1): A key player of T cell-mediated arthritis.
Göschl L, Preglej T, Boucheron N, Saferding V, Müller L, Platzer A, Hirahara K, Shih HY, Backlund J, Matthias P, Niederreiter B, Hladik A, Kugler M, Gualdoni GA, Scheinecker C, Knapp S, Seiser C, Holmdahl R, Tillmann K, Plasenzotti R, Podesser B, Aletaha D, Smolen JS, Karonitsch T, Steiner G, Ellmeier W, Bonelli M.J Autoimmun. 2020 Mar;108:102379. doi: 10.1016/j.jaut.2019.102379. Epub 2019 Dec 26.
The data indicate a key role for HDAC1 for the pathogenesis of CIA and suggest that HDAC1 and other class I HDACs might be promising targets of selective HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) for the treatment of RA.
Abatacept (CTLA-4Ig) treatment reduces T cell apoptosis and regulatory T cell suppression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Bonelli M, Göschl L, Blüml S, Karonitsch T, Hirahara K, Ferner E, Steiner CW, Steiner G, Smolen JS, Scheinecker C.Rheumatology (Oxford). 2016 Apr;55(4):710-20. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/kev403. Epub 2015 Dec 16.
CTLA-4Ig therapy in RA patients exerts effects beyond the suppression of T cell activation, which has to be taken into account as an additional mechanism of CTLA-4Ig treatment.
Collaborations & Partnerships
We are members of the Comprehensive center for inflammation and immunity.
External Funding
Unrestricted grants from CSL Behring GmbH and Octapharma GmbH.