Mast cells as inducers and modulators of adaptive immune responses

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Michael Stassen, since 10/2011
• Subject Area: Dermatology
• Term: from 2009 to 2014
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 124293077

It is increasingly being realized that mast cells are able to promote and even to shape the development of adaptive immune responses. Furthermore, mast cells are able to boost recall responses in already sensitized hosts. These important features of mast cells are most likely due to their ability to influence T cell responses via soluble factors acting on either antigen presenting cells (APCs) or T cells, or through mast cell - T cell contact - dependent mechanisms. In this project, based on our previous work, we would like to analyse the influence of mast cells on both the priming of T cells and on effector T cell responses using murine models of allergic airway hyperreactivity. A focus will be the influence of mast cells on the migration of APCs and their ability to process and to present antigen. Novel murine models will allow dissecting the roles of mast cells and the interplay between mast cells and T effector cells in recall responses and in the chronic phase of allergic airway disease. Furthermore, the impact of mast cells on the development of antiviral T cell-mediated immunity will be investigated. A long-term goal will be to reveal the mechanisms how certain viruses influence the development of airway disease.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1394: Mast Cells - Promoters of Health and Modulators of Disease
• Ehemaliger Antragsteller: Professor Dr. Christian Taube, until 9/2011