Cells of the adaptive immune system, T and B lymphocytes, protect against viruses and bacteria during infection. In autoimmune disease, however, autoreactive immune cells recognize endogenous proteins and destruct tissues and organs. Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of arteries that lead to the build-up of vessel-occluding plaques and causes myocardial infarction and stroke. Atherosclerosis is understood as partial autoimmune disease as autoreactive, pathogenic immune cells can be found in atherosclerotic arteries. As part of his professorship, Wolf aims to systematically describe the cellular immune response in patients with atherosclerotic disease. His work may lead to the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in immune-mediated cardiovascular disease.