PhD defence J. (Jasper) Rip

B cells are a group of white blood cells that play a crucial role in the immune response against pathogens. B cells can recognize pathogens by their B cell receptor (BCR), which is specifically direct to a structure found on pathogens, also called antigens. The BCR signal is processed by proteins inside the B cell that pass on the signal to the nucleus, a process referred to as BCR signaling. Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (Btk) is a crucial player in the BCR signaling cascade, but is also expressed under other receptors. When Btk expression is altered, this can lead to dysregulated BCR signaling and is associated with development on leukemia and autoimmune disease. In this thesis, we investigated the processes that contribute to the regulation of Btk activity in B cells. The results of this thesis show that other receptors expressed on B cells also contribute to the development of leukemia and autoimmune disease in a Btk-driven disease model. In addition, we observed that inhibition of Btk activity resulted in altered responsiveness upon stimulation of the BCR. These observations could be insightful with respect to treatment of leukemia and autoimmune disease patients and stress the importance of additional studies looking into Btk inhibition and combination therapy targeting BCR signaling and therapy efficacy in these patients groups.

Due to corona, the PhD defences do not take place publicly in the usual way in the Senate Hall or in the Professor Andries Querido Room. The candidates will defend their dissertation either in a small group or online.