Mechanisms and visualization of kidney injury-associated immunomodulatory responses affecting susceptibility to bacteria-induced pulmonary infection (B05)

• Subject Area: Anaesthesiology ; Immunology
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 431460824

This project aims to investigate the link between acute kidney injury (AKI) and nosocomial pneumonia, focusing on molecular mechanisms and visualization of inflammation. It will investigate the effects of AKI on uremic metabolites, cytokines, immune cell recruitment, and lung permeability. Due to preliminary findings suggesting the involvement of VE-PTP, we will explore its role in AKI-induced changes of the pulmonary vasculature alone and with subsequent lung infection. Additionally, we will develop a new strategy for activating opto-genetic proteins with chemiluminescence to visualize and target active sites of inflammation.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1450: Multiscale imaging of organ-specific inflammation
• Applicant Institution: Universität Münster
• Project Heads: Dr. Helena Block; Professorin Dr. Seraphine Wegner, since 1/2025; Professor Dr. Alexander Zarbock