Disturbed iron metabolism in phagocytes as a driver of chronic inflammation – a model for MS progression? (B13)

• Subject Area: Clinical Neurology; Neurosurgery and Neuroradiology
• Term: from 2016 to 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 213904703

Over the course of multiple sclerosis there are different ways how MS lesions can evolve. While some lesions can resolve, persistent phagocyte activation is observed in chronic-active lesions. Currently, we do not understand which factors determine the fate of MS lesions. Here we, hypothesize that the balance between iron release and buffering is a key switch that determines whether an inflammatory CNS lesion will resolve or persists. In the proposed project we therefore plan to characterize the regulation of iron buffering in demyelinating lesions, define its importance for lesion fate and explore its potential as a therapeutic target.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 128: Initiating/Effector versus Regulatory Mechanisms in Multiple Sclerosis - Progress towards Tackling the Disease
• Applicant Institution: Universität Münster
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Martin Kerschensteiner; Professor Dr. Mikael Jakob Simons