Inter- and intramolecular cross-regulation during CNS autoimmunity (B01)

• Subject Area: Immunology
• Term: since 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 490846870

Our preliminary observations indicate that during EAE, the de novo presentation of sequestered myelin-antigens (‘epitope-spreading’) can recruit specific Treg cells into the CNS. Conceivably, this may curb autoimmune reactions through Treg-cell-mediated ‘cross-regulation’. To address this hypothesis, we will investigate whether, when and where CNS-specific Treg cells a) become ‚aware’ of and b) control autoimmunity that has been elicited by immunization with another myelin-autoantigen. Understanding whether and how such ‘cross-regulation’ can modulate tissue-specific autoimmune reactions has major implications for antigen-specific therapeutic interference with tissue-specific autoimmunity.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 355: Heterogeneity and functional specialization of regulatory T cells in distinct microenvironments
• Applicant Institution: Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Ludger Klein