Dissecting the role of epithelial inflammasome activation in regulating immune responses in colitis (B03)

• Subject Area: Clinical Immunology and Allergology ; Immunology
• Term: since 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 375876048

The microbiota plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of IBD; how is still unclear. Here, we aim to investigate, how sensing of bacteria and activation of the inflammasome in intestinal epithelial cells contributes to intestinal homeostasis and IBD. We will also analyze how the epithelial inflammasome activation impacts differentiation and effector function of mucosal T cells in health and during intestinal inflammation. We will use state-of-the-art gnotobiotic animal models to study how defined bacteria and primary microbiota of IBD patients regulate inflammasome and T cell function, subsequently leading to colitis induction and maintenance.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 241: Immune-Epithelial Communication in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
• Applicant Institution: Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Hyun-Dong Chang; Professor Dr. Andreas Radbruch, until 6/2022; Professorin Dr. Francesca Ronchi, since 7/2022