—Once again, the ImmunoSensation² members, associated scientists and guests, gathered at BMZ I & II on the UKB campus, as well as online to exchange on current research in immunology. Together, we celebrated the largest Cluster Science Days ever: with a total of more than 400 registered participants online and on-site, a new high of submitted scientific posters, and great talks and discussions on a wide variety of topics in immunology, we are looking back on a very appropriate 10th edition of the annual…
—The inflammasome protein NLRP3 is a polymodal sensor of cellular stress. Since it induces cell death through pyroptosis, its activation is strictly regulated. Binding of ATP is considered a prerequisite for NLRP3 activation and inflammasome formation. ImmunoSensation² members Prof. Matthias Geyer and Prof. Eicke Latz, together with their teams at the University Hospital Bonn, have now further characterized the role of ATP in the regulation of NLRP3. The results were recently published in Communications Biology.
Vaccination potentially improves effectiveness of cancer treatment
—Therapeutic use of checkpoint inhibitors, targeting anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), is common in the treatment of nasopharyngeal cancer. Until now, it was feared that vaccination against SarsCoV-2 could reduce the success of anti-PD-1 treatment or cause severe side effects. A recent study by scientists of ImmunoSensation² at the University of Bonn, together with colleagues at the University of Shanxi in the People's Republic of China now…
Rayk Behrendt receives prestigious ERC Consolidator Grant
—The human genome harbors large segments that offer no obvious benefit and can potentially even cause disease. Nevertheless, these areas are copied and maintained every time a cell divides, which means a considerable effort and energy cost for the body. What is the evolutionary advantage of preserving these areas? This is the question that virologist and immunologist Prof. Rayk Behrendt from the Cluster of Excellence ImmunoSensation² at the University of Bonn is…
P38 as signaling hub for NLRP1 activation in the skin
—Inflammasomes integrate different cues of infection or cellular damage to trigger an inflammatory response. The Nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat containing protein 1 (NLRP1) expressed in Keratinocytes coordinates inflammation in the skin. A recent study by ImmunoSensation² scientists the University of Bonn in cooperation with colleagues at the University of Melbourne and the Boston Children’s Hospital has now identified p38 as the key…
Hemophilia: Training the immune system to be tolerant
—Hemophilia A is the most common severe form of hemophilia. It affects almost exclusively males. The disease can usually be treated well, but not for all sufferers. Researchers at the cluster of Excellence ImmunoSensation² now elucidated an important mechanism that is crucial for making the therapy effective. The results could help better tailor treatment to patients. They have already been published online in a preliminary version; the final version will soon be published in the "Journal of Clinical Investigation."
Dendritic cells use centrosomes to enhance their motility
—A migration mechanism previously known only from metastatic cancer cells has now also been demonstrated for leukocytes. This is the conclusion of a recent study led by researchers from ImmunoSensation² at the University of Bonn. According to the study, centrioles of dendritic cells proliferate and cluster together. This makes it easier for the cells to maintain their direction and thus migrate more quickly to the lymph nodes, where they activate other immune cells. The results have now been…
—Toll like receptors (TLRs) are an integral part of our innate immune defense, as they recognize various pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPS). The TLR family members 7 and 8 are capable of detecting RNA molecules, actually in order to alert for viral infections. But both receptors may also be stimulated by artificial RNA molecules. A commonly known agonist of TLR7 and TLR8 is the 18s-rRNA derived oligonucleotide RNA63. It has been shown, that the receptor specificity of RNA63 is strongly dependent on the RNA…
—Our own immune system can become the enemy when mechanisms that are actually protective get out of control. In ANCA-associated vasculitis, excessive inflammatory reactions lead to pulmonary hemorrhages that can be fatal if left untreated. Researchers at ImmunoSensation², together with colleagues from Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland and England, have deciphered a mechanism in mice and patients that leads to the severe disease. The results are now published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine.
