Immunology and Infection

Term: 01.02.2020 – 31.01.2023

We have discovered Gasdermin C as a protein strongly induced in the gut epithelium by IL-4 and IL-13. We can show that Gasdermin C is released by goblet cells into the mucous layer where it binds to bacteria. Further analyses implicate that Gasdermin C has a pore forming function and promotes anti-microbial defence. We plan to elucidate the regulation of Gasdermin C, its molecular mode of action and its functional impact in vivo.

Principal Investigator Prof. Dr. Christoph Becker Phone: +49 9131 85-35886 E-Mail: christoph.becker@uk-erlangen.de

Term: 16.12.2020 – 15.12.2023

While the influence of T cells on bone homeostasis has been well characterized, less is known about the role of B cells. Despite that B cells are able to produce RANKL, the major cytokine regulating osteoclast differentiation, its regulation of expression remains unclear. B cells reside in the low oxygen concentrations bone niche, and adapt to the environment through the expression of HIFs. I therefore hypothesize that HIF expression in B cells could influence the development of osteoporosis.

Principal Investigator Prof. Dr. Aline Bozec Phone: +49 9131 85-29032 E-Mail: aline.bozec@uk-erlangen.de

Term: 01.01.2021 – 30.06.2023

To understand the role played by ubiquitination of type I interferon in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease we intend to induce DSS colitis in two newly generated conditional mouse strains i.e. Stat2 and Smurf2 in experimental colitis models. CRISPR/Cas, three dimensional organoids coupled with Nanostring and RNA-Seq/GO analysis will be used to understand molecular mechanisms underlying DSS findings. Data will be validated using samples from IBD patients and controls.

Principal Investigator Dr. Dr. Mircea Chiriac Phone: +49 9131 85-35899 E-Mail: mircea.chiriac@uk-erlangen.de	Principal Investigator Prof. Dr. Markus Neurath Phone: +49 9131 85-35204 E-Mail: markus.neurath@uk-erlangen.de

Term: 01.01.2021 – 20.06.2023

Fibrotic diseases account for 45% of the deaths in the developed world. We demonstrate that the nuclear receptor TR4 is overexpressed in fibrotic tissues in a TGFbeta-dependent manner. TR4 promotes fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition and collagen release. Knockout of TR4 prevents fibroblast activation and ameliorates experimental fibrosis. In the proposed project, we aim to characterize the molecular mechanisms of fibroblast activation by TR4 and the antifibrotic effects of TR4 inhibition.

Principal Investigator Prof. Dr. Jörg Distler Phone: +49 9131 85-34742 E-Mail: joerg.distler@uk-erlangen.de

Term: 01.01.2020 – 31.12.2022

Inflammasomes play a pivotal role in the immune response against pathogens, but also in the pathogenesis of inflammatory disorders. Our data indicate that inflammasome activation in DCs is leading to full DC stimulation without induction of pyroptosis. We hypothesize that uncontrolled inflammasome stimulation in DCs might be key component in inflammatory disorders. In this study, we want to elucidate the mechanisms in this specific inflammasome activation in primary DC.

Principal Investigator Prof. Dr. Diana Dudziak Phone: +49 9131 85-39346 Email: diana.dudziak@uk-erlangen.de

Term: 01.02.2020 – 31.01.2023

 

We identified RANTES as a key regulator of the resolution of allergic asthma in human and murine studies. Resolved symptomatic episodes of asthma in children, were found to be associated with elevated serum levels of RANTES indicating the involvement of RANTES in the resolution of allergic asthma. In a murine model after allergen (HDM) challenge, RANTES cured allergic asthma trait. In this project, we want to better understand the mechanism of RANTES mediated resolution of allergic asthma.

Principal Investigator Prof. Dr. Susetta Finotto Phone: +49 9131 85-35883 Email: susetta.finotto@uk-erlangen.de

Term: 01.05.2020 – 31.05.2023

T cell mediated intestinal inflammation in acute Graft-versus-Host-Disease (GI-GvHD) represents a life-threatening and therapeutically challenging complication in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Interestingly, the role of tissue-resident memory T cells (Trm) in this context is unknown. Here, we plan studies to assess the development, migration, location and functionality of Trm cells in GI-GvHD both in murine experimental models and in men.

Principal Investigator Prof. Dr. Kai Hildner Phone: +49 9131 85-35908 E-Mail: kai.hildner@uk-erlangen.de	Principal Investigator Dr. Sebastian Zundler Phone: +49 9131 85-35000 E-Mail: sebastian.zundler@uk-erlangen.de	Principal Investigator Prof. Dr. Maike Büttner-Herold Phone: +49 9131 85-26088 E-Mail: maike.buettner@uk-erlangen.de

Term: 16.06.2020 – 15.06.2023

Our preliminary data identified a unique Cx3Cr1-positive macrophage subset that forms a protective barrier around the joint and counteracts inflammation. Accordingly, we will address the developmental origin and differentiation pathways of these specific macrophages and try to understand the molecular basis of their anti-inflammatory properties. Moreover, we will address the relevance of these findings for human diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Principal Investigator Prof. Dr. Gerhard Krönke Phone: +49 9131 85-34742 E-Mail: gerhard.kroenke@uk-erlangen.de

Term: 01.07.2020 – 30.11.2023

Dendritic Cells (DCs) are indispensable for the protection from pathogens. Additionally, natural antibodies (nAbs) reacting to evolutionary conserved epitopes foster fast targeted response. Leishmaniasis is an important tropical disease with different manifestations. However, the first events in infection and determination of T/NK cell responses by DCs and nAbs are not fully understood. We now aim to unravel early determining factors for clinical outcome in leishmaniasis on a single cell level.

Principal Investigator Dr. Christian Lehmann Phone: +49 9131 85-29321 E-Mail: christian.lehmann@uk-erlangen.de	Principal Investigator PD Dr. Ulrike Schleicher Phone: +49 9131 85-23647 E-Mail: ulrike.schleicher@uk-erlangen.de

Term: 01.02.2020 – 31.07.2023

HCMV replication is characterized by viral CDK-cyclin interaction. The CDK-like viral kinase pUL97 interacts with human cyclins. CycB1 is phosphorylated upon the interaction, dependent on pUL97 activity, whereas cycT1/H interaction stimulates pUL97 activity and substrate phosphorylation. Regions for cyclin interaction and antiviral drug resistance show overlaps in pUL97, so that this correlation will be elucidated in terms of viral fitness for the development of a novel antiviral strategy.

Principal Investigator Prof. Dr. Manfred Marschall Phone: +49 9131 85-26089 E-Mail: manfred.marschall@fau.de	Principal Investigator Prof. Dr. Heinrich Sticht Phone: +49 9131 85-24614 E-Mail: heinrich.sticht@fau.de

Laufzeit: 01.07.2020 – 30.06.2023

Inflammation within the CNS can directly affect neuronal structures. Thus, molecules controlling inflammatory responses are of upmost importance. The immune-regulatory CD83 molecule is highly expressed by microglia and tissue-resident macrophages and thus, represents a crucial factor for microglial activation and the neuro-immune crosstalk. Since, its regulation and function in these cells has not been elucidated we will investigate this during immune homeostasis and neuroinflammation.

Principal Investigator Prof. Dr. Alexander Steinkasserer Phone: +49 9131 85-36725 E-Mail: alexander.steinkasserer@uk-erlangen.de

Term: 16.03.2020 – 15.03.2023

The highly oncogenic retrovirus Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) causes incurable neoplastic or inflammatory diseases. The viral accessory protein p8, which is proteolytically cleaved from the pre-cursor p12 and transported to target cells prior to infection, is important for establishing persistent infections in vivo. Here, we aim to identify the protease cleaving p12 into p8, to inhibit this protease, and to assess the impact of blocking of p12/p8 processing on viral persistence.

Principal Investigator Dr. Andrea Thoma-Kreß Phone: +49 9131 85-26429 E-Mail: andrea.thoma-kress@uk-erlangen.de

Term: 01.09.2020 – 31.08.2023

As lymphatics in the inflamed joint in rheumatoid Arthritis drain specifically the popliteal lymph node (pLN) where the adaptive immune response is initiated, we investigated a population of stromal cells in the pLN, namely the fibroblastic reticular cells (FRC). Our preliminary data show a significant immunomodulatory potential of pLN FRCs in inflammatory arthritis mouse models. Therefore, we hypothesize that specifically pLN stromal FRCs play a so far neglected role in the early onset of RA.

Principal Investigator Prof. Dr. Mario Zaiss Telefon: 09131 85-33794 E-Mail: mario.zaiss@fau.de

We have identified the enzyme ATP Citrate Lyase (ACLY) as a key immunometabolic regulator of intestinal inflammation. We therefore hypothesize that diminished ACLY expression in the intestinal epithelium drives the pathogenesis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. To evaluate our hypothesis, we plan to elucidate the regulation of Acly, its molecular mode of action and its functional impact for the steady-state gut and for intestinal inflammation using newly generated knockout mice.

Principal Investigator Prof. Dr. Christoph Becker E-Mail: christoph.becker@uk-erlangen.de

The continuous adaptation of the SARS-CoV-2 replicative machinery, as well as the consequences of nonstructural protein (Nsp) mutations to the virus-host interaction need to be considered in emerging variants. SARS-CoV-2 marker viruses will be used to address the role of existing and new variant virus mutations in Nsp’s in different culture systems, in viral replication and in their escape from cellular restriction, focusing on the non-spike related phenotype of these variants.

Principal Investigator Prof. Dr. Armin Ensser E-Mail: armin.ensser@fau.de

2’-O-Methylation of mRNA by cellular methyltransferases (MTases) enables discrimination of self and non-self. We found that SARS-CoV-2 lacking the viral MTase Nsp16 triggers an enhanced innate immune response that depends on the RNA receptor MDA5. Thus, we will analyse Nsp16 as a means of SARS-CoV-2 to counteract innate immune sensing and will test the hypothesis that the 2’-O-methylation of viral RNA in general protects from sensing by the pattern recognition receptor MDA5.

Principal Investigator Prof. Dr. Thomas Gramberg E-Mail: thomas.gramberg@fau.de

Reactivation of latent Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections represent a severe, life-threatening intestinal complication in immunocompromised patients. Underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating the immune epithelial cell interaction are only partially understood and targeted treatment options are not available. We seek to decipher the immune / epithelial cell interaction in the context of CMV infection combining novel ex vivo organoid co-culture with innovative genetic model systems

Principal Investigator Prof. Dr. Kai Hildner E-Mail: kai.hildner@uk-erlangen.de	Principal Investigator Prof. Dr. Thomas Winkler E-Mail: thomas.winkler@fau.de

The function of intestinal mesenchymal cells (IMCs) in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) has not been clarified yet. The goal of this project is to characterize and to functionally study the role of STAT3 activation in IMCs during mucosal healing in the gut by using established in vivo models and human tissue specimens. Perspectively, these studies aim to pave the way for novel therapeutic options in IBD care.

Principal Investigator Prof. Dr. Clemens Neufert E-Mail: clemens.neufert@uk-erlangen.de

Term: 16.03.2023 – 15.09.2025

Autoreactive T cells are thought to play a key role during the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but their specificity and their contribution to RA remain elusive. In this project, we will identify autoreactive T cells, their receptors and cognate antigens in RA patients, and study the dynamics of the autoreactive T cell response at different stages of RA. This will yield important information on the pathogenesis of RA and provide the base for a novel generation of immunotherapies.

Principal Investigator PD Dr. Kilian Schober E-Mail: kilian.schober@uk-erlangen.de

Constant bone remodelling is important to prevent fractures. In bones with a thick cortex, we found that remodelling is based on endosteal bone formation and periosteal resorption which stands in contrast to existing models. In this project we will characterize this process and analyse its dependence on age, mechanical load, osteoclast and osteocyte activity. We aim to explain why some bone sites are prone to fracture and to develop new treatment strategies to prevent insufficiency fracture.

Principal Investigator Dr. Ulrike Steffen E-Mail: ulrike.steffen@uk-erlangen.de

New medications for the treatment of chronic wounds are urgently needed. Our preliminary data show that sCD83 accelerated wound healing processes in a systemic as well as a topical treatment. Cellular analyses revealed the increase of pro-resolving macrophages, known to improve wound healing processes. These striking regenerative capacities make scD83 a promising candidate to treat chronic- and hard-to-heal wounds. Within the current project we aim to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

Principal Investigator Prof. Dr. Alexander Steinkasserer E-Mail: alexander.steinkasserer@uk-erlangen.de

Recently, we identified atypical, antiviral IgG4 responses after immunizations with a SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine. Since IgG4 responses are considered as anti-infammatory and rather tolerogenic, the impact of this type of antibody response on preventing viral infections or disease will be elucidated. Whether antigen re-exposures in form of infections or boost immunization will further shift the SARS-CoV-2 response towards IgG4 will be analysed as well as potential underlying mechanisms.

Principal Investigator Prof. Dr. Matthias Tenbusch E-Mail: matthias.tenbusch@uk-erlangen.de

Immune cell trafficking plays a central role in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC). Based on our preliminary data, we propose cell mechanics as an important mechanism in this process. To explore this hypothesis, we will investigate mechanisms regulating mechanics of innate immune cells in colitis models. We will further explore the functional consequences of immune cell deformability in acute colitis and explore therapeutic opportunities for a modulation of cell mechanics in UC.

Principal Investigator Prof. Dr. Maximilian Waldner E-Mail: maximilian.waldner@uk-erlangen.de	Principal Investigator Prof. Dr. Jochen Guck E-Mail: jochen.guck@mpl.mpg.de

Intestinal diseases (IBD) are chronic inflammations of the gastrointestinal tract. Secretory antibodies (SIgA) are produced by mucosal surfaces and are intestinal defences. The project aims to elucidate the role of SIgA in the uptake/retro process at the endothelium. Furthermore, an analysis of the SIgA-selected bacterial strains in the intestine will be carried out and new targets for a SIgA-mediated therapeutic approach in therapy will be found.

Principal Investigator PD Dr. Benno Weigmann E-Mail: benno.weigmann@uk-erlangen.de

It is still unclear, how the in vivo trafficking of autoreactive T cells in IBD is coordinated. Preliminary data indicate that mechanical properties regulate the motility of gut T cells. Thus, we aim to investigate the interplay of intestinal T cell mechanics and trafficking in a joint effort combining the expertise of two clinician scientist PIs in cell trafficking and bioimaging. We ultimately hope to identify new targets for organ-selective IBD therapy controlling T cell dynamics in the gut.

Principal Investigator Prof. Dr. Dr. Sebastian Zundler E-Mail: sebastian.zundler@uk-erlangen.de	Principal Investigator Prof. Dr. Stefan Uderhardt E-Mail: stefan.uderhardt@uk-erlangen.de