Marieke van Ham and Anja ten Brinke

The research group of Marieke van Ham and Anja ten Brinke has studied antigen-specific immune responses for more than 2 decades. The group specializes in fundamental and translational research studying both desired antibody responses against pathogens/vaccines as well as undesired immunogenicity against biological and self-antigens.

Key interests of the group are regulation of plasma cell differentiation through antigen-driven interactions between activated B cells and follicular Thelper (Tfh) cells. The group investigates regulation of antigen uptake and MHC-mediated antigen presentation and the differential regulation between proinflammatory (IgG1, IgE) and anti-inflammatory (IgG4) antibodies.

Studies on safety and efficacy of anti-tetanus hyperimmunisation programs of voluntary donors and alloimmunisation upon transfusion or red blood cells or platelets belong to current areas of research.

Finally, the group specialises in general and antigen-specific B and CD4 T cell immunomonitoring for therapy efficacy of immunomodulating drugs/biologics in national and international consortia (HORIZON2020).

Affiliation

Department of Immunopathology, Sanquin, Amsterdam and University of Amsterdam
m.vanham@sanquin.nl
a.tenbrinke@sanquin.nl

Publications

Unger PA, Makuch M, Aalbers M, Derksen NIL, Ten Brinke A, Aalberse RC, Rispens T, van Ham SM. Repeated vaccination with tetanus toxoid of plasma donors with pre-existing specific IgE transiently elevates tetanus-specific IgE but does not induce allergic symptoms. Clin Exp Allergy. 2018.

Ten Brinke A, Marek-Trzonkowska N, Mansilla MJ, Turksma AW, Piekarska K, Iwaszkiewicz-Grzes D, Passerini L, Locafaro G, Punet-Ortiz J, van Ham SM, et al. Monitoring T-Cell Responses in Translational Studies: Optimization of Dye-Based Proliferation Assay for Evaluation of Antigen-Specific Responses. Front Immunol. 2017.

de Wit J, Jorritsma T, Makuch M, Remmerswaal EB, Klaasse Bos H, Souwer Y, Neefjes J, ten Berge IJ, van Ham SM. Human B cells promote T-cell plasticity to optimize antibody response by inducing coexpression of T(H)1/T(FH) signatures. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2015.

Lighaam LC, Vermeulen E, Bleker T, Meijlink KJ, Aalberse RC, Barnes E, Culver EL, van Ham SM, Rispens T. Phenotypic differences between IgG4+ and IgG1+ B cells point to distinct regulation of the IgG4 response. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2014.

Souwer Y, Griekspoor A, de Wit J, Martinoli C, Zagato E, Janssen H, Jorritsma T, Bar-Ephraim YE, Rescigno M, Neefjes J, et al. Selective infection of antigen-specific B lymphocytes by Salmonella mediates bacterial survival and systemic spreading of infection. PLoS One. 2012.

Theses

Karin van Schie: Immunogenicity of Therapeutic Antibodies. Immunological Mechanisms & Clinical Consequences. Awarded 2017

Jelle de Wit: B and T cell crosstalk in anti‐bacterial immune responses. Awarded: 2012

Current PhD projects

Peter-Paul Unger: Regulation of T cell-dependent B cell differentiation; contribution of follicular Thelper cells to plasma cell formation and antibody production.

Laura Lighaam: Dissecting the regulation of the IgG4 B cell response.

Fleur Sanne van den Bovenkamp: The role of Fab glycosylation of antibodies in immunity.