Anti-MDA5 autoantibodies in the pathogenesis of myositis. (2019-J5820590-214453)

Interstitial lung disease in the context of anti-MDA5 antibodies is a life-threatening condition. The hypothesis of this project, a collaboration between KU Leuven and Karolinska Institute states that anti-MDA autoantibodies directly contribute to the pathogenic mechanisms. We will purify anti-MDA5 antibodies and assess pathogenicity in vitro, on muscle cells and lung fibroblasts. This will set the stage to further study the impact of anti-MDA5 antibodies in vivo.