The Mevalonate pathway as a checkpoint for regulation of prenylation in intestinal epithelial cells in the context of inflammation (A07)

• Subject Area: Gastroenterology ; Immunology ; Pharmacology
• Term: since 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 375876048

Our project aims on analyzing the dependency of gut homeostasis on the mevalonate pathway (MVP) within intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) and on defining the milieu-dependent regulation of its key enzyme HMGCR in the context of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). By elucidating the underlying interplay between immune cell-derived mediators, components of the MVP in IECs and pathways involved in epithelial integrity, we will analyze the MVP in IECs as source for new diagnostic markers or targets for IBD therapy. Finally, we will investigate whether and why statin co-medication can represent a potential benefit or risk for IBD patients.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 241: Immune-Epithelial Communication in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
• Applicant Institution: Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
• Project Heads: Privatdozentin Imke Atreya, Ph.D.; Privatdozentin Rocío López Posadas, Ph.D.