Opsonisation by the innate immune system: understanding the delicate balance between normal function and pathophysiology.

• Applicant: Dr. Christoph Schmidt
• Subject Area: Immunology
• Term: from 2014 to 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 252130939

Opsonisation by the innate immune system is an immunological process of marking molecules and particles in our body with complement effector molecules to promote immune surveillance and body homeostasis. Such process occurs in all tissues at all time. While invasion by pathogens necessitate robust complement activation for safe clearance and alarming of the entire immune system, a more discret measure is required for controlled disposal of common, everyday cellular by-products. A fine-tuned complement opsonisation profile is of central importance, since too much or too little complement activation is the underlying cause or secondary exacerbating factor in many rare as well as common human disease conditions. Here it is proposed to investigate how such delicate balance is maintained or destabilised. The overarching key objective is to understand the transition between normal- and disease-associated opsonisation (marking) of living cells in order to deduce potential interceptive steps in the future.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants