This project aims at characterizing the specificity and repertoire of B cell targeting self-red blood cells, isolated from blood, bone marrow and spleen samples from patients suffering from immune hemolytic anemia, and genetic defects of central or peripheral tolerance. Some self-red blood cells antigens are also targeted by allo- and auto-antibodies in delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions observed in sickle cell disease patients. Thus, one of the objectives will be to compare auto-reactive responses with alloreactivity.

The successful applicant will also have the opportunity to collaborate on other ongoing projects in the lab aiming at investigating the underlying mechanisms, cellular populations involved and fundamental steps leading to tolerance breakdown in B cells in a pathological context in Human or, at the opposite side of the spectrum, the establishment of long-lasting immune memory in infectious or vaccinal settings.