Functional role of fibroblast reticular cell-derived IL-33 in early metastasis (B06)

• Subject Area: Hematology, Oncology
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 429280966

Compelling evidence has accumulated that IL-33, a member of the IL-1 family of cytokines, and its corresponding receptor ST2 are important in cancer progression and metastasis. However, the cellular source of IL-33 as well as the cellular and molecular signaling pathways induced in ST2-positive immune cells in the context of early metastasis are not well understood. Regulatory T cells and fibroblasts both have been shown to contribute to metastasis formation. We hypothesize that the IL-33/ST2 axis, through the interaction of IL-33 producing fibroblastic stromal cells and ST2-positive tissue resident regulatory T cells, plays an important role in early metastasis. The aim of this project is to functionally characterize the cellular and molecular mechanisms of the IL-33/ST2 axis important for early metastasis in order to develop novel interventional therapeutic strategies.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 305: Striking a moving target: From mechanisms of metastatic colonization to novel systemic therapies
• Applicant Institution: Universität Regensburg
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Markus Feuerer; Professor Dr. Thomas Hehlgans