Project Details
Projekt
Mast cells as linkers of antiviral defence and autoimmunity
Applicant
Dr. Zane Orinska
Subject Area
Dermatology
Term
from 2009 to 2013
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 125319447
Mast cells (MCs) are able to initiate, potentiate and terminate local immune responses. Equipped with a large set of receptors and intracellular sensors, MCs can recognize viruses and respond by release of specific mediators. wE described a membrane protein RTP4 (receptor transport protein 4), which is induced in MCs upon viral infection or stimulation with IFNb as a part of a MC antiviral response program. In order to investigate the contribution of MCs in antiviral immune responses, the experimental mouse model for influenza A virus H1N1 infection in vivo has been established. The aim of the proposal is to evaluate the molecular contribution of MCs to antiviral immunity in vitro as well as in vivo and, particularly, study the mechanisms of action, role and functional significance of MCexpressed RTP4 in antiviral defence. In-coming and intracellular signals required for the regulation of RTP4, considering either direct effects of viruses or indirect activation by IFNb, RTP4-dependent MC response leading to cytokine/chemokine production, and definition of the mast cell RTP4-dependent antiviral response “checkpoints” in the mouse model of IAV infection are the questions addressed in the following proposal. The study of RTP4 expressed in MCs on the recruitment of leucocytes into the lung, on the development of specific CD8+ T cell responses as well as on antiviral immunoglobulin production will provide a new insight into the pathogenesis of influenza A virus infections.
DFG Programme
Priority Programmes
Participating Person
Professorin Dr. Silvia Bulfone-Paus
