Antibodies against the muscle protein “muscle-specific kinase” (MuSK) can cause the autoimmune disease myasthenia gravis. MuSK antibodies disrupt the organization of the neuromuscular junction through the inhibition of MuSK signaling. My research focuses on identifying the factors that determine the pathogenicity of MuSK antibodies. We use recombinant MuSK antibodies with varying features, isolated from patients, to study their effects on MuSK functioning both in vitro and in vivo. 

Additionally, MuSK antibodies that can activate MuSK signaling show therapeutic promise for conditions where the neuromuscular junction is compromised. I use affinity-based proteomics for biomarker discovery to support clinical trials aimed at developing these therapeutic antibodies. 

My projects are connected to www.huijberslab.org.

Thesis: 07-03-2023, The two faces of antibody pathogenicity and their cause and consequences in myasthenia gravis.

External links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/danavergoossen/
https://www.huijberslab.org/dle-vergoossen