Regulation type I and II interferon in CD180 regulated B cells and their role in Lupus pathogenesis

The aim of this project is to understand how CD180 regulated B cells contribute to pathogenesis in lupus. We hypothesise that CD180 may function to dampen interferon signalling in B cells and that is downregulation in SLE may promote TLR7 and/or other interferon regulated protein expression. To address this the first step will be to characterise the effect of type I and II interferon stimulation in B cells. Next, we will examine the interplay between CD180 and interferon in B cells. Finally, investigation will be carried out into the difference between CD180 positive and negative subpopulations of B cells in lupus murine models.