Led by Professor Jo Spencer, we conduct research on human B cells and mucosal immunology. Our projects include the study of human B cells in tissue, B cell presence and activity in human gut and B cell response in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
People
PhD Student
Research Associate
Research Associate in Epigenetics
Research Associate
Research Fellow
Professor of Experimental Medicine
Projects
Human B cells in tissues
B cells are key mediators of immune protection by the production of antibodies, cytokines and as antigen presenting cells. Despite their central role in immune responses fundamental aspects of their development and population complexity remain unknown. We are using deep methods of analysis and pipelines that are as undirected as possible to understand the complexity of B cells in tissues.
B cells in human gut
The gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) is located at the boundary between the intestinal microbiota and the host. It is chronically stimulated by antigens actively sampled from the gut lumen and is a hub from which activated B and T cells emanate. We propose that not only does it generate the massive IgA plasma cell population that disseminates through the intestinal lamina propria, but it also provides a niche for systemic B cell maturation including the early differentiation of subsets of transitional B cells and propagation and repertoire diversification of marginal zone B cells.
B cells in systemic lupus erythematosus
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, relapsing and debilitating autoimmune disease that mostly affects women. It is characterised by aberrant B cell responses to nuclear material. We have so far observed basic differences in the B cell profile in severe SLE including depletion of marginal zone B cells in blood. We are working to understand the relevance of these changes to the disease process.
Publications
Awards
Grants
- Wellcome Trust Investigator Award (2021-2025)
- UKRI Medical Research Council (2016-2021)
- St Thomas Lupus Trust (2020-2025)
- GSTT Charity (2021-2022)
- The Oddfellows (2020-2022)
People
PhD Student
Research Associate
Research Associate in Epigenetics
Research Associate
Research Fellow
Professor of Experimental Medicine
Projects
Human B cells in tissues
B cells are key mediators of immune protection by the production of antibodies, cytokines and as antigen presenting cells. Despite their central role in immune responses fundamental aspects of their development and population complexity remain unknown. We are using deep methods of analysis and pipelines that are as undirected as possible to understand the complexity of B cells in tissues.
B cells in human gut
The gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) is located at the boundary between the intestinal microbiota and the host. It is chronically stimulated by antigens actively sampled from the gut lumen and is a hub from which activated B and T cells emanate. We propose that not only does it generate the massive IgA plasma cell population that disseminates through the intestinal lamina propria, but it also provides a niche for systemic B cell maturation including the early differentiation of subsets of transitional B cells and propagation and repertoire diversification of marginal zone B cells.
B cells in systemic lupus erythematosus
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, relapsing and debilitating autoimmune disease that mostly affects women. It is characterised by aberrant B cell responses to nuclear material. We have so far observed basic differences in the B cell profile in severe SLE including depletion of marginal zone B cells in blood. We are working to understand the relevance of these changes to the disease process.
Publications
Awards
Grants
- Wellcome Trust Investigator Award (2021-2025)
- UKRI Medical Research Council (2016-2021)
- St Thomas Lupus Trust (2020-2025)
- GSTT Charity (2021-2022)
- The Oddfellows (2020-2022)
Our Partners
Group lead
Professor of Experimental Medicine