The function of CLEC-1 in the skin

• Applicant: Dr. Betty Hebecker
• Subject Area: Immunology ; Parasitology and Biology of Tropical Infectious Disease Pathogens
• Term: from 2015 to 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 285692768

Mammalian C-type like lectin receptors (CTLR) play a central role in antifungal immunity and immunosurveillance. The responses mediated by these receptors include fungal recognition and phagocytosis, induction of antifungal effector mechanisms and the production of soluble mediators, including cytokines, chemokines and inflammatory lipids. Notably, these receptors also direct and modulate the development of adaptive immunity. Recently, the group of Professor Gordon Brown, University of Aberdeen, UK, has started on characterising murine CLEC-1 (mCLEC-1) and has made several remarkable observations that indicate that this receptor plays a role in immunosurveillance at epithelial surfaces. In the proposed project I will explore the function and physiological role of CLEC-1 in the skin. My goals are to determine (1) which cell types express CLEC-1 in the skin of mice as well as the regulation and the downstream responses that are triggered by this C-type like lectin receptor in these cells, (2) the physiological roles of this receptor during cutaneous fungal infections, and to (3) translate the knowledge gained in the murine system to explore the functions of CLEC-1 in human cells. These experiments will exploit a unique toolbox of reagents and expertise including in vivo models of fungal skin infection, the CLEC-1-specific monoclonal antibodies and the CLEC-1 deficient mice that we have already generated.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: United Kingdom
• Host: Professor Dr. Gordon Brown