Heart-specific antibodies as modulators of myocardial infarction (B06)

• Subject Area: Cardiology, Angiology
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 453989101

Antibodies are causally linked to the progression of ischemic HF. Yet, conventional serological approaches have thus far failed to identify what antigens are targeted and provide key mechanistic details regarding how antibodies impact myocardial biology. Herein, we will combine high-end imaging and state-of-the-art molecular biology techniques to track the specific antibody-producing B-cells activated after myocardial infarction and clone their antigen receptors (membrane-bound antibodies) into expression vectors. The subsequent monoclonal expression of the antibodies in mice and patients will ultimately allow in-depth functional characterization of their specifitieis for the first time.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1525: Cardio-Immune Interfaces
• Applicant Institution: Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg
• Project Heads: Professorin Dr. Katrin G. Heinze; Privatdozent Dr. Gustavo C. Ramos, Ph.D.