Regulation and modulation of the innate immune response via neuronal and endocrine signals in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster

• Applicant: Dr. Christina Wagner
• Subject Area: Animal Physiology and Biochemistry
• Term: from 2011 to 2016
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 206695550

Neuronal and endocrine transmitters modulate a variety of physiological functions including the immune system. Stress has been identified as a central factor influencing these highly complex interrelationships, which in long run may contribute to the pathogenesis and aggravation of autoimmune or chronic inflammatory diseases in humans. Here, I propose to use the fruit fly as an in-vivo model to investigate the impact of neuronal and endocrine control of the innate immune system. Initially, stress factors will be identified that affect the innate immune response. Subsequently, neuronal and endocrine transmitters will be deciphered that transfer neuronal and endocrine signals to cells of the innate immune system. Furthermore, the cells producing the respective mediators will be mapped. A more detailed analysis of the neuroendocrine-immune crosstalk will be supplemented by mechanistic analysis at the molecular and cellular level of immune cells. Since the immune system of both, human and fly, uses in parts the same transmitters and defence mechanisms, the simply organised fly represents an ideal model organism to address these questions.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants