Emergency barriers in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases- Neutrophil-epithelial interplay shapes epithelial restitution in the ulcer microenvironment (B04)

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

Therapy-refractory subgroups of patients suffering from IBD often feature deep ulcerations and neutrophil granulocyte-related molecular signatures. We propose that the interplay between neutrophils and wound-associated IECs determines successful epithelial restitution and will shed light on this conflicted intercellular crosstalk. We will continue to focus on how wound-associated epithelia regulate neutrophil function, how they are imprinted by neutrophils in the ulcer microenvironment and which protective mechanisms are used by these specialized cells in order to shape the innate immune response and support mucosal healing in IBD-related ulcers.

• 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. Martin Herrmann, until 6/2022; Dr. Kristina Koop, since 7/2022; Privatdozent Dr. Moritz Leppkes