Contrasting contributions of TNF from distinct cellular sources in arthritis.

Objectives: Neutralisation of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) is widely used as a therapy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, this therapy is only effective in less than a half of patients and is associated with several side effects. We hypothesised that TNF may possess non-redundant protective and immunomodulatory functions in vivo that cannot be blocked without a cost.

Novel mouse model to study T cell-dependent IgA induction in vivo.

Commensal microbiota at the mucosal surfaces controls multiple aspects of body homeostasis. Therefore, regulation of microflora composition by the host is crucial, and one of the mechanisms driving microbiota diversity is the production of large quantities of immunoglobulin A (IgA) at the mucosal surfaces. However, mechanisms of IgA induction in the gut are not completely understood.