Our group is integrated into the Department of Neurology at the Kopfklinik, @FAU in Erlangen, and is interested in the role of glial cells in the central nervous system (CNS). Astrocytes and microglia are glial cells with important functions in health and disease, which determine the outcome in autoimmune inflammatory and ischemic disorders of the CNS. Combining clinical studies with preclinical disease models, we aim to unravel disease mechanisms controlled by glial cells, which can be targeted in novel therapeutic interventions for inflammatory and ischemic CNS diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis, Neuromyelitis optica and ischemic stroke.
Role of glial co-inhibitory mechanisms in autoimmune inflammation
The local interaction of microglia and astrocytes with previously infiltrated immune cells determines disease progression in chronic stages of autoimmune inflammation in the CNS, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. In addition to the secretion of chemo- and cytokines, glial cells interact with infiltrating immune cells in a cell-contact dependent manner. We are determining the relevance of co-inhibitory molecules on astrocytes and microglia during autoimmune inflammation in the CNS and its regulation by various ligands and cytokines.
Regulation of protective glial mediators in inflammatory and ischemic CNS diseases
Astrocytes and microglia produce a broad spectrum of soluble mediators that convey protective or pathogenic functions in the context of multiple CNS disorders. Our group recently identified interglial signaling molecules that differentially regulate pro- and anti-inflammatory functions in astrocytes. Here, we aim to strenghten our understanding and identify novel glia derived mediators that promote local anti-inflammatory and regenerative mechanisms following CNS insult.
Interaction of glial and CNS infiltrating immune cells in the recovery from acute inflammatory and hypoxic tissue damage in the CNS
After acute lesions in the central nervous system (CNS), the interaction of microglia, astrocytes and infiltrating immune cells controls resolution or chronification of tissue damage. Depending on polarizing factors provided by microglia, astrocytes and infiltrating immune cells either promote or inhibit this recovery process. In this project, we want to determine the interaction of glial and CNS infiltrating immune cells in inflammatory and hypoxic CNS disorders to define novel therapeutically accessible checkpoints for lesions resolution in the CNS.
Novel application strategies of immunomodulatory therapeutics in autoimmune CNS inflammation
In this translational project, we explore novel application strategies for small molecules and macromolecular proteins for their direct delivery into the CNS. Using preclinical disease models, we investigate their therapeutic potential in acute and chronic stages of autoimmune CNS inflammation as well as hypoxic CNS damage to develop novel treatment regimens for MS and ischemic stroke.
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about what Multiple Sclerosis is and what we do at the RothhammerLab.