Direct and indirect crosstalk of epithelial GPR15L with immune cells via the intestinal microbiome in the pathogenesis of IBD (B08*)

• Subject Area: Gastroenterology ; Immunology
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 375876048

The gut homing receptor GPR15 has recently been de-orphanized, but the role of its ligand GPR15L in IBD is so far unclear. We hypothesize that, in addition to mediating T cell recruitment to the lamina propria, GPR15L also acts as an anti-microbial peptide counteracting intestinal inflammation by shaping the intestinal microbiome. Thus, experimental colitis models, metagenomics, bactericidal assays, cell trafficking assays and human patient cohorts will be studied to uncover the precise mechanisms of GPR15L and to lay the basis for future therapeutic exploitation.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 241: Immune-Epithelial Communication in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
• Applicant Institution: Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Sebastian Zundler