Nikolaos Vlachogiannis
Country: Greece
Nikos is a postdoctoral researcher in Rheumatology and a resident in Internal Medicine at the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. His clinical and research interests focus on systemic sclerosis, particularly the pathogenetic mechanisms linking vasculopathy and innate immunity to fibrosis.
He serves as the EMEUNET Country Liaison for Greece and is a member of the EMEUNET Social Media Subcommittee. In addition, he is one of the Basic Science Group Coordinators for the EUSTAR Young Investigators.
| Oral OP004 | Wednesday, 3 June, 2026 17pm Abstract Plenary Author: Hanlin Yin (China) Title: Multi-omics analysis elucidates the trajectory of progression from the antibody-positive phase to established Systemic Sclerosis  Through multi-omics analysis of PBMCs this study revealed that immune dysregulation begins in individuals with systemic sclerosis (SSc)-specific antibodies, even before clinical manifestations, and progressively intensifies through VEDOSS to established SSc. Commonly upregulated genes and proteins were enriched in innate immune and interferon signaling pathways. These findings highlight the potential of multi-omics profiling for early risk stratification and intervention in preclinical SSc. |
| Oral OP0257 | Friday, 5 June, 2026 8.15 am Basic Abstract Sessions: Decoding the Immune System – OMICS and beyond Author: Iago Pinal-Fernandez (USA) Title: Spatial transcriptomics reveals mechanism of autoimmunity driven by internalized autoantibodies This study examines autoantibody internalization as a shared pathogenic mechanism across multiple autoimmune diseases. Transcriptomic analyses of muscle biopsies spanning autoantibody-defined myopathies and related systemic autoimmune diseases revealed reproducible autoantibody-specific signatures linked to autoantigen dysfunction. Introducing patient IgG into healthy muscle cells in vitro reproduced disease-specific molecular programs. Immunofluorescence and spatial transcriptomics demonstrated intracellular localization of autoantibodies and associated inflammatory responses across diverse cell types and tissues. These findings establish autoantibody internalization as a shared pathogenic mechanism across diverse autoimmune diseases. |
| Oral OP148 | Thursday, 4 June, 2026 8.15 am Basic Abstract Sessions: Digging deep into Lupus Author: Yakai Fu (China) Title: Platelets activate remigrating neutrophils in systemic lupus erythematosus and represent a therapeutic target This study demonstrates that platelet-neutrophil aggregates (PNA) are increased in active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and correlate with disease activity. PNAs displayed an activated CXCR4+ remigrant neutrophil phenotype associated with NETosis, migration, and tissue inflammation. In vitro, P-selectin signaling enhanced neutrophil activation and NETosis. In a lupus mouse model, anti–P-selectin therapy reduced PNAs, improved thrombocytopenia, normalized immune abnormalities and lowered anti-dsDNA levels, highlighting P-selectin blockade as a promising therapeutic strategy in SLE. |
| Oral OP0155 | Thursday, 4 June, 2026 9.25 am Basic Abstract Sessions: Digging deep into Lupus Author: Aleksandra Bylinska (USA) Title: Early Disruption of B cell Tolerance Pathways and Immune Regulatory Circuits in Preclinical Systemic Autoimmune Disease This study used single-cell and serum multi-omics to show that preclinical lupus evolves through progressive immune remodeling before full SLE develops. Early stages showed loss of naïve B-cell tolerance checkpoints, inflammatory activation of antigen-experienced B cells, and progressive monocyte reprogramming toward interferon- and inflammasome-driven states. Effector memory T cells increasingly interacted with activated B-cell subsets across disease progression. Monocyte reprogramming, shifting from pro-survival regulatory signals to inflammatory cues , emerged as a key mechanism driving autoreactive B-cell activation and transition from silent autoimmunity to clinical SLE. |
| Oral OP0011 | Wednesday, 3 June, 2026 15:36 pm Basic Poster Tours: Basic Science Insights into Systemic Sclerosis Author: Astrid Hofman (Switzerland) Title: Multi-Omics Reveals a Vascular-Immune Niche Characterizing Regressive Skin Fibrosis in Systemic Sclerosis This study used multi-omics profiling to identify distinct molecular signatures associated with regression of skin fibrosis in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Regressors showed reduced monocyte extravasation, dampened interferon and TNF signaling, and decreased endothelial activation across serum, PBMCs and skin. Spatial transcriptomic analysis of skin biopsies revealed fewer monocyte-derived inflammatory macrophages and altered immune–stromal interactions within a perivascular niche enriched in CXCL12+ fibroblasts in regressors. These findings suggest that suppression of endothelial inflammation and monocyte extravasation promotes fibrosis regression and may represent a therapeutic target in SSc. |