Innate and inflammatory immune responses in allergy: pathogenic roles and targets of therapeutic interventions

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Wolfgang Pfützner
• Subject Area: Clinical Immunology and Allergology
• Term: from 2020 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 426830688

Allergies are characterized by aberrant immune responses against harmless environmental antigens. Recent research indicates that the interplay between the innate immune system and inflammatory processes on the one hand and adaptive immune mechanisms on the other hand are of major relevance for a better understanding of the pathogenesis of allergic diseases. These findings are in particular supported by the results of comprehensive epidemiologic studies and by clinical and experimental investigations, respectively. However, the role not only of genetic but also epigenetic and tissue specific factors as well as microbial, nutritive and environmental parameters in modulating allergic immune responses is still a matter of intensive debate. Thus, there is a high need for further studies to identify the underlying molecular mechanisms and their mutual interactions in the context of immunopathological processes in allergy. Besides investigating elementary pathophysiological principles it is of special importance to detect candidates for targeted therapeutic interventions and preventive measures, as there is a particular demand for an adequate care of the worldwide growing and so far insufficiently treated number of allergic subjects. As a consequence, allergological research needs to proceed as it has been already the case in the fields of rheumatological, other inflammatory and tumor diseases. To fulfill these requirements, a substantial prerequisite is the focused promotion of excellent, high-level translational research activities. However, especially the support of young researchers is fraught with distinct structural deficits in Germany, which make it less attractive for young people to perform research but rather to pursue a professional career in other occupations. The German Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (DGAKI) has started several initiatives to actively counteract this development and both reinforce and expand allergological research. For example, an annual workshop supporting research activities of PhD and MD students as well as an own ‘junior member’ section has been established. In this context, a workshop for early career investigators supported by the DFG constitutes a decisive measure to identify and promote young talents with potential for excellent scientific achievements. Thus, building on already initiated structural measures this proposal aims at receiving funding from the DFG to implement a workshop for early career investigators in the field of allergological research.

• DFG Programme: Workshops for Early Career Investigators