CD8+ T cells and Cytomegalovirus in ANCA vasculitis

Autoimmune vasculitis commonly and critically affects the kidney. This thesis finds that inactive cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection worsen the disease in experimental animal model. Additionally, in normal kidneys CMV infection also causes more kidney changes with ageing over time. This thesis also examines a potential new therapy that targets specialised immune cells, called memory cells. It dampens systemic autoimmunity, decrease inflammation in the kidney and may potentially reduce disease severity.