Clonal autoantibodies identify microbial antigen as trigger of autoreactive B cells in systemic sclerosis
Sam Neppelenbroek, Sophie I E Liem, Theo van Laar, Eva M. Hoekstra, Corrie M. Wortel, E. W. Nivine Levarht, Cynthia M. Fehres, Nynke H. Dekker, JK de Vries-Bouwstra, René E.M. Toes, Hans Ulrich Scherer
The paper identifies microbial antigen, specifically fungal topoisomerase 1, as a trigger for autoreactive B cells in systemic sclerosis by showing cross-reactivity between human and microbial TOP1.
bioRxiv · Mar 19, 2026 · PreprintImmunology