Section of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology

The Section of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology (SRKI, www.ukm.de/index.php) of the Medical Clinic D is closely linked with the Department of Translational Rheumatology and Immunology at the IMM. Both are headed by Prof. Kriegel, which facilitates bench-to-bedside as well as reverse translation in this research area. In addition to specialized clinical care for rheumatologic patients, the SRKI is also developing translational studies that examine the microbiome in autoimmune diseases in more detail. Stool, skin and oral cavity samples, among other, are collected in order to mechanistically study the microbiota in these clinical settings in the Department of Translational Rheumatology.

Department of Translational Rheumatology and Immunology

The Department of Translational Rheumatology and Immunology researches the development of rheumatic and other immune-mediated diseases with a focus on the role of the microbiome. In particular, we investigate the interaction between the immune system and commensal bacteria on the skin, the intestines and other mucosal sites such as the oral cavity. We have previously discovered (at Yale University, medicine.yale.edu/lab/kriegel/) so called pathobionts that trigger or worsen autoimmunity through various cellular and molecular mechanisms. In addition, we have developed strategies in experimental models to modulate the microbiome in order to reduce the severity or prevent the development of these diseases. These interventions relate to vaccinations against commensal bacteria, dietary changes, and antibiotics. You can find more details about our research, the location of our research laboratory and detailed projects here: www.medizin.uni-muenster.de/mikrobiom/startseite/

  • Team

    Prof. Dr. med. Martin Kriegel
    Head, Department of Translational Rheumatology and Immunology
    Phone: +49-251-8352949
    Röntgenstraße 21, 2nd floor, room 110.057
    Email

     

    Veronika Löcher
    Chefsekretariat Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. Martin Kriegel
    Sektion für Rheumatologie und Klinische Immunologie
    Medizinische Klinik D
    Abteilung für Translationale Rheumatologie und Immunologie
    Institut für Muskuloskelettale Medizin (IMM)
    Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Gebäude A1
    Tel: +49 251 83-41031
    Email-Kontakt

     

    Justina Weigant
    (currently out of office)
    Secretary/PA to Prof. Martin Kriegel
    Department of Translational Rheumatology and Immunology
    Röntgenstraße 21, 2nd floor, room 110.055
    Phone: +49-251-83-52949
    Email

     

    Andrea Wauligmann
    Project Coordinator BMBF
    Department of Molecular Medicine
    Room: 0.027
    Phone.: +49-251-83-56750
    Fax: +49-251-83-57462
    Email
     

    Eva Mickholz
    Study coordination / Labmanagement
    Department of Translational Rheumatology and Immunology
    Section of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology
    Address: Röntgenstraße 21
    D-48149 Münster
    Phone.: +49-251-83-48368 oder -56187
    Fax: +49-251-83-44958
    Email

    Dr. Marcia Pereira
    Postdoc
    Department of Translational Rheumatoloy and Immunology
    Address: Röntgenstraße 21
    D-48149 Münster
    Phone: +49-251-83-57163
    Email
     

    Dr. rer. nat. Sylvio Redanz
    Groupleader and Labmanagement
    Department of Translational Rheumatoloy and Immunology
    Address: Röntgenstraße 21
    D-48149 Münster
    Phone: +49-251-83-52987
    Email

    Beate Schulte
    BTA
    Department of Translational Rheumatoloy and Immunology
    Address: Röntgenstraße 21
    D-48149 Münster
    Phone: +49-251-83-57163
    Email

    Helen Fuhrmann
    PhD Student
    Department of Translational Rheumatoloy and Immunology
    Address: Von Esmarch-Str. 54
    D-48149 Münster
    Phone: +49-251-83-46857
    Email

    Ulrike Löschberger
    PhD Student
    Department of Translational Rheumatoloy and Immunology
    Address: Von Esmarch-Str. 54
    D-48149 Münster
    Tel.: +49-251-83-46857
    Email

    Jonas Bönsch
    Master student
    Department of Translational Rheumatology und Immunology
    Von Esmarch-Str. 54, D-48149 Münster
    Tel.: +49-251-83-46857

    Anna Brinkhege
    PhD student
    Department of Translational Rheumatology und Immunology
    Von Esmarch-Str. 54, D-48149 Münster
    Tel.: +49-251-83-46857
    Email

    Charlotte Waab
    PhD student
    Abteilung Translationale Rheumatologie und Immunologie
    Von Esmarch-Str. 54, D-48149 Münster
     

  • Projects

    A) The role of intestinal wall permeability and translocating pathobionts in autoimmune diseases

    B) The influence of diet and the environment on the microbiome and microbiome-associated diseases

    C) Disruption of immunological tolerance by microbiota

    D) The role of the microbiome in the development of tumors of lymphatic tissue.

    Our research topics

  • Publications

    Selected publications:

    1. Vieira SM, Hiltensperger M, Kumar V, Zegarra-Ruiz D, Dehner C, Kahn N, Costa FRC, Tiniakou E, Greiling T, Ruff W, Barbieri A, Kriegel C, Mehta SS, Knight JR, Jain D, Goodman AL, Kriegel MA. Translocation of a Gut Pathobiont Drives Autoimmunity in Mice and Humans. Science, 2018; 359:1156-1161.
    2. Greiling TM*, Dehner C*, Chen X*, Hughes K, Renfroe SC, Vieira SM, Ruff WE, Boccitto M, Sim S, Kriegel C, Chen X, Girardi M, Degnan P, Goodman AL, Wolin SL#, Kriegel MA#. Commensal Orthologs of the Human Autoantigen Ro60 as Triggers of Autoimmunity in Lupus. Science Translational Medicine, 2018; eaan2306. (#co-correspondence).
    3. Zegarra-Ruiz D, El Beidaq A, Iniguez, AJ, Lubrano Di Ricco M, Manfredo Vieira S, Ruff WE, Mubiru D, Sterpka J, Greiling TM, Dehner C, Kriegel MA. A diet-sensitive commensal Lactobacillus strain mediates TLR7-dependent systemic autoimmunity. Cell Host Microbe, 2019; 25(1):113-127.
    4. Ruff WE, Dehner C, Kim WJ, Pagovich O, Aguiar CL, Yu AT, Roth AS, Manfredo Vieira, S, Kriegel S, Olamide A, Mulla MJ, Abrahams VM, Kwok WW, Nussinov R, Erkan D, Goodman AL, Kriegel MA. Pathogenic beta2-glycoprotein I autoreactive T and B cells cross-react with non-orthologous mimotopes expressed by a common human gut commensal. Cell Host Microbe, 2019; 26: 100-113.
    5. Ruff WE, Greiling TM, Kriegel MA. Host-microbiota interactions in immune-mediated diseases. Nature Reviews Microbiology 2020; Sep;18(9):521-538. PMID: 32457482.