Recent news from the Institute
Press release: https://www.dfg.de/service/presse/pressemitteilungen/2022/pressemitteilung_nr_49/index.html
Web site of CRC 237: https://www.trr237.uni-bonn.de/en
SARS-CoV-2 viruses can hide from recognition by the immune system. However, the antiviral immune receptor RIG-I can be stimulated, which improves protection against lethal SARS-CoV-2 infections. Researchers led by Prof. Dr. Gunther Hartmann from the Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology at the University Hospital Bonn, in cooperation with other members of the cluster of excellence ImmunoSensation2 at the University of Bonn, have shown this in mice. Also, the incidence of severe disease progression was observed to be significantly reduced. The study was published online in advance in the journal "Molecular Therapy - Nucleic Acids" and is now available in the final version.
Press release: https://idw-online.de/en/news789680
Article: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2162253122000361?via%3Dihub
Here is a summary of the project:
Recent data suggest that group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2) residing in the adipose tissue may play an important role in maintaining the metabolic health and energy balance of the organisms. Our data indicates that lipid metabolism and the capacity of ILC2 to store lipids could be essential for the maintenance and protective function of such cells. Based on these findings, we aim to understand how metabolic alterations in obesity impact the lipid metabolism and maintenance of adipose tissue ILC2 and whether manipulation of these pathways in ILC2 could prevent the development and progression of metaflammation.
Link to the publication: Diet-dependent regulation of TGFß impairs reparative innate immune responses after demyelination
Link to the publication: Infection fatality rate of SARS-CoV2 in a super-spreading event in Germany.
Link to the publication and supplement. PodCast incl. press release.
The April 14, 2020 issue of Immunity features original research articles from two groups at the Institute.
From the Bartok Group:
From the Wilhelm Group:
Lipid-Droplet Formation Drives Pathogenic Group 2 Innate Lymphoid Cells in Airway Inflammation
A scientific team, including scientists from ImmunoSensation2, are coming together to investigate the recent Corona-Virus outbreak in Heinsberg (see Link in German).
The Henry Kunkel Society (HKS) is a prestigious organization dedicated to fostering patient-based and patient-oriented scientific research, particularly in the field of immunology, as exemplified by the scientific life of Dr. Henry Kunkel at the Rockefeller University. Originally founded in 1990 and comprising of only 50 members at that time, most of whom were former trainees of Henry Kunkel, the Society has grown to include over 400 elected members, all dedicated to experimental medicine in the field of human immunology.
In addition to leading the Nucleic Acid Immunity TR/SFB 237, the Hartmann group was recently awarded funding for a project within the newly funded TR/SFB 259 Aortic Disease. This project will fund two PhD students to study how a disregulation of RIG-I could lead to calcification of the aorta, a hallmark of aortic disease. Professor Hartmann is a member of the Management Committee for this SFB, representing Bonn.
Two scientists (Theophilis Tzaridis, Christoph Coch) from ICCCP were recently involved in an important drug trial involving patients with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, which was published in The Lancet. A consortium of German neurologists, centered in Bonn, compared the effectiveness of combination versus monotherapy in patients with a particular epigenetic marker. The results can be found here.
In September, came the good news that the Cluster of Excellence ImmunoSensation, which is based at the University Hospital Bonn and jointly headed by Prof. Dr. med. Gunther Hartmann, was granted an additional seven years of funding by the German Research Organization (DFG).
