Identification of new effector B cell subgroups and their role in allergic diseases

B cells play an important role in the human immune system because they are the cells that produce antibodies. A research team at SIAF led by Professor Cezmi Akdis (Workpackage 2) recently reported that B cells – apart from their role antibody-producing cells – can function as regulators of the immune response by the production of cytokines. Certain subgroups of B cells were identified which produce specific cytokines. For instance, regulatory B cells produce the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 and are hence able to protect against autoimmune diseases and allergic inflammation.

The aim of this study is to identify new human cytokine-producing B cell subgroups and research their role in immune regulation. B cells cannot be cultured for lengthy periods in vitro. Therefore we suppressed the cell division of the B cells by increasing the production of two specific genes (BCL-6 and BCL-xL). The method of suppressing cell division and increasing the production of certain proteins is known as over-expression. This makes it possible for us to form long-lived B cells. To enable us to characterise individual B cells, we isolated individual cells and generated B cell clones. Then we studied the gene activity of these clones in detail by means of next-generation sequencing (determining the nucleotide sequence of the RNA).

To allow us to identify new effector B cell subtypes that produce specific cytokines, we had to group the individual B cell clones based on their cytokine expression. Using this approach we identified 6 clone groups which expressed specific cytokine profiles, i.e. activated specific cytokines. Some of these cytokine profiles (an expression profile shows what the cell actually does) resembled previously described subgroups of effector B cells, such as the interferon-gamma-producing B cells and the interleukin-10-producing regulatory B cells. Interferon is a protein that exerts an immunostimulating, primarily antiviral effect; interleukin is a cytokine with an anti-inflammatory effect, which inhibits the inflammatory reactions taking place in the body. In addition, we found other clusters with different cytokine profiles, which have not previously been described. At present we are working on carrying out detailed characterisation of these new B cell subgroups so that their potential role in allergic diseases can be assessed.

Atopic Dermatitis and Cardiovascular Disease

Atopic Dermatitis and Cardiovascular Disease – a deeper connection?
As part of our ongoing commitment to advancing the understanding of chronic inflammatory diseases, we at CK-CARE are proud to share the results of a newly published study in *Allergy* from our multicenter ProRaD research initiative.
Read the full publication: https://doi.org/10.1111/all.16588

20th CK-CARE Team Meeting 2025

The 20th CK-CARE Team Meeting took place on 24 and 25 February 2025 under the motto ‘Embracing the concept of data analysis to further personalised patient care’. The aim of the meeting was to develop innovative ideas and prepare a draft publication for the CK-CARE Scientific Board based on the data from the CK-CARE registry and biobank. The event began with an informative presentation of the data from the CK-CARE repository and the biobank, which provided the framework for intensive group work. The participants were divided into four teams: Team 1, 2 and 3 chose the topic according to their personal interest based on the available data from the CKC repository and the biobank, while team 4 focused on science communication for the NIA app. The day was rounded off with a guided tour of the historic Fuggerei in Augsburg followed by a tapas dinner at the Tafeldecker restaurant, which provided space for lively discussions. On Tuesday, each group presented their idea in a 3-minute ‘Scientific Paper Pitch’ to the critical members of the ‘CK-CARE Scientific Board-lion’s den’.

(Copyright Image: Samuel Tschaffon, UK Augsburg)

Global Allergy Forum 2022

The 4th Davos Declaration: A Milestone for Atopic Dermatitis Patient Care

During the last Global Allergy Forum (GAF) key opinion leaders from science, medicine and industry met in Davos to discuss the current state of the art of patient care in atopic dermatitis (AD) and proposed new strategies for its improvement. The thinktank addressed the high prevalence of AD and strategized methods to advance research, diagnostics, management and prevention. The findings are now published as «Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Atopic Dermatitis: Challenges and Future Opportunities: the 4th Davos Declaration».

Annual Report CK-CARE 2023

CK-CARE’s work has global resonance and, thanks to this strong position, significant projects in clinical allergy research were again launched or catalysed in the reporting year. CK-CARE’s working methods were sharpened in terms of medical translation and a strengthening of research capacities on the medical campus in Davos was defined in order to increase CK-CARE’s performance.

Annual Report 2023

CK-CARE’s work now has global resonance and, thanks to this strong position, significant projects in clinical allergy research were again launched or catalysed in the reporting year. CK-CARE’s working methods were sharpened in terms of medical translation and a strengthening of research capacities on the medical campus in Davos was defined in order to increase CK-CARE’s performance.

Kühne-Foundation Annual Report 2023

“Entrepreneurial success should go hand in hand with the promotion of  the common good. The Kühne Foundation fulfills this task. With a variety of programs and projects, the founder and the Kühne Foundation also assume their socio-political responsibility.”

The activities were significantly expanded, particularly in the area of logistics. In addition, the new focus area of climate action was established, and the first projects were launched.

Prof. Dr. h.c. Klaus-Michael Kühne