Targeting the reciprocal T cell-endothelial interactions after ASCT (B11)

• Subject Area: Hematology, Oncology ; Immunology ; Cardiology, Angiology
• Term: since 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 324392634

We show that endothelial cells in lymphoid organs prime alloreactive T cells in vivo and trigger lethal GvHD. Early endothelial injury increases the risks of GvHD and atherosclerosis, while VEGFR1 deficiency in endothelial cells induces an anti-inflammatory phenotype and reduces the accumulation of alloreactive T cells in the gut. We will investigate how myeloablative conditioning, ASCT, and T-cell homing affect bone marrow endothelial reconstruction and modulate T-cell responses. By studying bone marrow endothelial-immune cell interactions, we aim to develop therapeutic strategies to enhance GvL and reduce GvHD.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 221: Modulation of graft-versus-host and graft-versus-leukemia immune responses after allogeneic stem cell transplantation
• Applicant Institution: Universität Regensburg
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Andreas Beilhack; Professorin Dr. Alma Zernecke-Madsen