Univ.Prof. Dr. Monika Bradl

Department(s): Department of Neuroimmunology (Center for Brain Research)
Position: Professor
Location: Spitalgasse 4
Telephone: 40160-34210
E-Mail:

Research Area:
Neuromyelitis Optica

Research Interests:
Neuroimmunology, Nervous System Autoimmune Disease, Experimental, Microglia, Inflammation, Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System

Grant(s):

• From aquaporin 4-specific auto-antibodies to improvements in diagnosis/therapy of neuromyelitis optica (Responsible)
• Immune responses and epitope spreading in neuromyelitis optica (Responsible)
• Immune Responses in Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) (Responsible)
• Mimotopes for pathogenic AQP4-specific Antibodies in NMO (Responsible)
• Repertoire/antigen recognition of brain-infiltrating immune cells in progressive MS (Responsible)
• Type I interferons and anti-DNA antibodies in neuromyelitis optica (Responsible)

Abstract:

We are interested in the initiation, progression and resolution of inflammatory lesions of the central nervous system, and study these processes in models of two important human diseases, i.e. neuromyelitis optica and multiple sclerosis.

Techniques:

We routinely establish cultures of CNS antigen-specific T cells, microglia, astrocytes, brain endothelial cells, oligodendrocytes and choroid plexus epithelium. Other tools and methods available include experimental models for multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica, immunological test procedures to identify and quantify cytokine production and antigen-reactivity of T lymphocytes, immunohistochemical analysis, gene expression studies using real-time PCR, pathway focused or whole genome microarrays on fresh and archival (paraformaldehyde-fixed, paraffin embedded) material, and the identification of mimotopes binding to pathogenic autoantibodies.

Selected Publications:

1. Beltrán E+, Paunovic M+, Gebert D, Cesur E, Jeitler M, Höftberger R, Malotka J, Mader S, Kawakami N, Meinl E, Bradl M*, Dornmair K*, Lassmann H* + sharing co-first; *sharing senior authorship (2021) Archeological neuroimmunology: resurrection of a pathogenic immune response from a historical case sheds light on human autoimmune encephalomyelitis and multiple sclerosis Acta Neuropathol, 141(1): 67-83
2. Tsymala I, Nigritinou M, Zeka B, Schulz R, Niederschick F, Matković M, Bauer I, Szalay M, Schanda K, Lerch M, Misu T, Fujihara K, Bennett J, Dahle C, Pache F, Rommer P, Leutmezer F, Illes Z, Leite M, Palace J, Scholze P, Reindl M, Lassmann H, Bradl M (2020) Induction of aquaporin 4-reactive antibodies in Lewis rats immunized with aquaporin 4 mimotopes Acta Neuropathologica Communications, 15; 8 (1)
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3. Hillebrand S, Schanda K, Nigritinou M, Tsymala I, Böhm D, Peschl P, Takai Y, Fujihara K, Nakashima I, Misu T, Reindl M, Lassmann H, Bradl M (2019) Circulating AQP4-specific auto-antibodies alone can induce neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder in the rat Acta Neuropathol, 137(3): 467-485
4. Zeka B, Hastermann M, Kaufmann N, Schanda K, Pende M, Misu T, Rommer P, Fujihara K, Nakashima I, Dahle C, Leutmezer F, Reindl M, Lassmann H, Bradl M (2016) Aquaporin 4-specific T cells and NMO-IgG cause primary retinal damage in experimental NMO/SD Acta Neuropathologica Communications, 4 (1): 82
5. Pohl M, Kawakami N, Kitic M, Bauer J, Martins R, Fischer MT, Machado-Santos J, Mader S, Ellwart JW, Misu T, Fujihara K, Wekerle H, Reindl M, Lassmann H, Bradl M (2013) T cell-activation in neuromyelitis optica lesions plays a role in their formation Acta Neuropathologica Communications, : 1(1):85

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