Controlling collagen deposition by fibroblasts in cutaneous fibrosis by targeting TANGO1 function

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Thomas Krieg; Professor Dr. Gerhard Sengle
• Subject Area: Dermatology
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 468236352

Fibrotic skin diseases are heterogeneous; while some affect only small areas of the skin, other can involve large areas and become life-threatening. Common to all is the activation of fibroblasts, which synthesize excessive amounts of extracellular matrix proteins that then cause fibrosis and the formation of rigid connective tissue. Crucial to this process is the secretion of these large connective tissue molecules from the cell. Building on promising results from the first funding period, we aim to reduce connective tissue deposition and modulate its biomechanical properties by targeting key molecules involved in secretion (TANGO/cTAGE5). To this end, we aim to better understand the consequences of inhibiting these mechanisms, which are crucial for cell and tissue homeostasis, and to employ various specific interacting peptides generated by us as well as siRNA. These will be analyzed in detail in cell cultures, mouse models, and human organ cultures with the aim of developing new locally applicable therapies.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: France, Spain
• Cooperation Partners: Professor Dr. Vivek Malhotra; Professor Dr. Ishier Raote
• Co-Investigator: Professorin Dr. Ines Neundorf