Die Rolle von tertiären lymphatischen Geweben bei Entzündungsreaktionen und entzündlichen Erkrankungen im Darm

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Matthias Lochner
• Subject Area: Immunology
• Term: from 2006 to 2009
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 22053038

The development of lymphoid tissues recapitulates the inflammatory reaction and culminates in the formation of complex lymphoid aggregates. The development of lymph nodes and Peyer¿s patches in the gut is programmed and is initiated in the sterile environment of the fetus. In contrast, the formation of tertiary lymphoid tissues is induced by infection. Chronic inflammation also leads to tertiary lymphoid tissue formation, in which many different cells types interact, such as B cells, T cells, myeloid and stromal cells. The goal of this project is to understand the mechanisms that lead to formation of tertiary lymphoid tissues and their impact on inflammatory disease. To achieve this, I will use existing mouse models and also develop new transgenic approaches to examine the phenomena of tertiary lymphoid tissue formation in the context of intestinal inflammation. The specific aims of this project are to (1) identify the inflammatory triggers of tertiary lymphoid tissue formation and visualize the molecular and cellular interactions during tertiary lymphoid tissue formation. (2) to prevent intestinal inflammation by blocking the formation of lymphoid tissues. The long-term aim is to develop new and specific tools for the control of pathologic inflammation, such as occurs in inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: France
• Host: Professor Dr. Gérard Eberl