Sphingolipids in colitis and -associated carcinogenesis (B03)

• Subject Area: Pharmacology
• Term: from 2013 to 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 204083920

Selective variation of the sphingolipid rheostat in colon and immune cells is decisive for chronic inflammatory processes, albeit affecting carcinogenesis and cancer microenvironment differentially. In DSS/AOM colitis S1P accumulation in hematopoietic compartments caused delayed carcinogenesis, whereas selective S1P elevation in intestinal tissue led to a loss of function and a rapid carcinogenesis with a Th2 milieu. Our future investigations, in addition to S1P effects in cytotoxicity assays with tumor spheroids, will encompass determination of the molecular targets of sphingolipid modulation by genomic DNA and microRNA analysis. In 3D colon organoids we focus on colon stem cell development and fibrotic remodeling.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1039: Signalling by Fatty Acid Derivatives and Sphingolipids in Health and Disease
• Applicant Institution: Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Heinfried H. Radeke