Impact of MHC-I Ligandome Quality Control on the adaptive immune response in cancer and chronic infection (24*)

• Subject Area: Immunology
• Term: since 2026
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 318346496

MHC-I ligandome quality control is essential for immune surveillance, enabling cytotoxic T cells to recognize infected or abnormal cells. This process relies on protein degradation pathways, including the proteasome and autophagy. Immunity-Related GTPase Q (IRGQ), a key regulator of autophagy, facilitates the lysosomal degradation of aberrant MHC-I molecules. This project aims to investigate how IRGQ-dependent MHC-I quality control influences antigen presentation and T cell responses in the context of cancer and chronic infection.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1292: Targeting convergent mechanisms of inefficient immunity in tumors and chronic infections
• Applicant Institution: Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Ivan Dikic; Professor Dr. Hansjörg Schild