Immune memory characteristics of innate lymphoid cells
—Immunological memory is an evolutionally acquired trait that allows a more robust response of an organism to re-infection. Two types of immune memory have been characterized: adaptive immune memory that is antigen-specific and is generated by adaptive immune cells, and trained immunity that is unspecific and developed by innate immune cells such as macrophages. This clear dichotomy fades when it comes to the immune cell compartment that shares...
Regulation of Innate Immune Responses by Platelets
—Platelets have been extensively studied in the context of coagulation and their hemostatic imbalance can lead to conditions as atherosclerotic plaques and thrombosis. Nevertheless, the knowledge regarding the regulation of immune cell types by platelets has been growing exponentially in the past years. Among these biological systems, the innate immunity is remarkably affected by the crosstalk with platelets. This interaction comes from the formation of platelet-leukocyte aggregates, signaling by direct contact or by stimulation of immune cells by...
The helicase DHX36 resolves G-quadruplex structures and supports stress response
—DNA and RNA G-quadruplex structures are thermodynamically very stable arrangements of four nucleic acid strands, in which the guanines interact via Hoogsteen base pairing. It has been shown that the formation or resolution of RNA G‑quadruplex structures has severe impacts on diverse cellular processes such as transcription or translation. Interestingly, the formation of G-quadruplex structures in untranslated regions of mRNAs can render these mRNAs translationally inactive. The Paeschke lab characterized the RNA targets of DHX36, a 3′−5′ DEAH-box helicase, and discovered...
Congratulations to the recipients of the SFB/ Transregio grants:
—University of Bonn researchers were successful in the securing SFB/Transregio grants.The SFB/Transregio Aortic Diseases will be working on basic and clinical research on expanding the understanding of fundamental principles in the pathogenesis of aortic diseases. The SFB/Transregio Cellular mechanisms of antibiotic action and production intends to further investigate the biochemical production and action mechanisms of antibiotics.
—ImmunoSensation Scientist Dr. Bernardo Franklin was feature in a Nature article titled "Europe is a top destination for many researchers". The article interviewed scientists from different parts of the world who are working in the EU.
—On Saturday May 11th 2019, ImmunoSensation2 Scientists took time to share interesting, current research with the public at Bonn Marktplatz to celebrate the Day of Immunology. This year, the scientists coverd topics circeling lung- and liver disease. To support the experience, ImmunoSensation2 presented oversized organ models of lung and liver for interested visitors to walk through. A lung capacity machine was used to demonstrate how the lung capacity can vary.
—An exhibition showing milestones in the field of immunology at the University of Bonn’s Museum from the 2nd of May to the 30th of June 2019The exhibition titled ImmunSinn, is aimed at bringing immunology closer to the people covering the topics of immunotherapy, Alzheimer’s disease, the influence of western diet on our health, parasitic diseases and technological advances in immunology. On display are photos, 3D models, parasitic worms and informative posters that will take you from the 1860s to the present day.
—While studying B cells in pancreatic cancer, we noticed an important discrepancy between human data, which suggest B cells contribute to the anti-tumor response, and mouse data, which indicate an immunosuppressive, protumorigenic role. Most of the murine data, however, derives from orthotopic models, in which a pancreatic-cell line is injected in the pancreas of healthy mice and tumors develop rapidly. In order to clarify this discrepancy, we assessed B-cell infiltrates...
Study for treatment of lymphatic filariosis in Science Translational Medicine published
—Neglected tropical diseases such as Lymphatic filariosis are common in tropical and subtropical areas. Here mostly poor people are affected. An international consortium with a contribution of scientists from the Cluster of Excellence ImmunoSensation identified a new substance ABBV-4083 in the fight against adult worms, the cause of lymphatic filariosis. Dr. Marc Hübner and Prof. Hörauf are working in the Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology at the University Hospital Bonn.
