Kashod Aslam

PhD Student

Peter Mertens

Project Leader

Lupus nephritis is a major complication of systemic lupus erythematosus in which circulating immune complexes contribute to renal inflammation and tissue injury. Although ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes are well-established targets of autoantibodies in lupus, the molecular composition of RNPs physically associated with IgG immune complexes and their contribution to renal disease remain insufficiently defined.

This project investigates IgG-associated RNPs as molecular components of immune complexes, moving beyond antibody specificity to determine their composition, mechanism of association and biological consequences. Patient-derived IgG complexes will be characterized using complementary proteomic approaches to identify associated RNP components. Candidate interactions will then be investigated to determine whether association depends on RNP-associated proteins, IgG domains or immunoglobulin subclass.

Finally, the functional consequences of defined IgG-RNP complexes will be examined in relevant renal cells, including podocytes, mesangial cells and tubular epithelial cells, with particular emphasis on nucleic acid sensing and inflammatory signaling.
The project aims to establish a mechanistic link between RNP cargo, IgG association and renal immune activation, providing a molecular perspective on immune-complex-mediated kidney injury and potentially revealing disease-associated molecular signatures beyond conventional histopathological classification.