Indian Hedgehog signalling in epidermal differentiation and sebaceous tumour formation

• Applicant: Privatdozentin Dr. Catherin Niemann
• Subject Area: Cell Biology
• Term: from 2007 to 2011
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 47059560

Development and maintenance of mammalian skin are both dependent on signalling networks and deregulation of these signalling pathways often results in development of skin cancer and the disturbance of structural integrity of the skin. The aim of this project is to find out if Indian hedgehog (IHH) signalling is required for the development and differentiation of sebaceous glands and if IHH signalling contributes to the formation of sebaceous tumours in vivo. To address these questions we will generate mice carrying a skin-specific knock out for the Ihh gene. These animals will be analysed for impairments in formation and maintenance of sebaceous glands and defects within the differentiation program deployed by keratinocyte precursor cells in the process of maturation. We will apply an inducible mouse skin tumour model to investigate if IHH signalling is required for/or contributes to the formation of sebaceous tumours. In addition, we will perform cell culture experiments to study the molecular mechanism of IHH signalling in human sebocytes in detail. Our experiments will give new insights into the function of IHH for sebocyte proliferation and differentiation as well as pathogenesis of skin tumours.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants