Thesis defense Christine Bruggeman: Better understanding of autoimmune diseases of the blood

Patients with a disease in which the body breaks down platelets (immune thrombocytopenia) or red blood cells (autoimmune hemolytic anemia) are treated with IVIg. This medicine, which consists of antibodies derived from plasma of blood donors, is ised to prevent the body from attacking the vital cells. It is not yet entirely clear how exactly treatment with antibodies works.

Christine’s research provides more insight into this treatment. The goal is to make therapy for patients with autoimmune diseases of the blood more effective and less strenuous. Moreover, this knowledge is needed to reduce or prevent anemia as a rare but a serious side effect of IVIg.

The research focuses on the interaction between two components of the immune system: Fc-gamma receptors and immunoglobulin G. Christine describes some new findings in this field and explains why the anemia side effect only occurs if there is an underlying inflammation.

Thesis: ‘Expression and function of Fc-gamma receptors. Binding of immunoglobulin G and its glycoforms’.
Promotor: prof. dr. T.W. Kuijpers 
Copromotor: prof. dr. T.K. van den Berg
Locaton and time: Agnietenkapel, Oudezijds Voorburgwal 229 - 231, 1012 EZ Amsterdam. 12.00 uur