The influence of murine Bactericidal/Permeability - Increasing protein on the function of dendritic cells

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Markus Schnare
• Subject Area: Immunology
• Term: from 2008 to 2014
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 85583465

Antimicrobial proteins are important effector molecules of the innate immune response. Following pathogen encounter, polymorphonuclear granulocytes as well as epithelial cells at various anatomical sites secrete a broad spectrum of these proteins as a first line of host immune defense. The release and/or transcription of many antimicrobial proteins are controlled by Toll-like receptors (TLRs) that recognize pathogens based on their invariant structures. We have recently identified the mouse homologue of the human antimicrobial protein “bactericidal / permeability-increasing protein (BPI)”. The expression of this protein is mainly regulated by TLR4; however, the precise mechanism of its control has not yet been elucidated. In addition to neutrophils, mouse BPI is expressed by dendritic cells (DCs), where it remains retained intracellularly. The goal of this research is to analyze the function of BPI within DCs. This knowledge will further our understanding how DCs control phagocytozed pathogens and present antigen in order to promote the adaptive immune response.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants