TP5: Deactivation of autoimmune disease-promoting functions of neutrophil granulocytes by apoptotic cells

Activated neutrophis are responsible for the tissue damage observed in several autoimmune diseases. Recent studies of the research group revealed that neutrophils can recognize and phagocytose apoptotic cells (Esmann et al, J. Immunol, 184:391, 2010). More importantly, phagocytosis of apoptotic cells results in the inhibition of proinflammatory neutrophil functions such as oxidative burst or secretion of inflammatory mediators. Goal of the project is to investigate whether this deactivating effect can be used to suppress neutrophil-mediated tissue damage in autoimmune diseases. Human neutrophils will be activated with immune complexes and/or ANCA and a variety of neutrophils functions will be assayed in vitro in the presence or absence of apoptotic cells. Analysis of activating signalling steps will be carried out to clarify the molecular mechanisms responsible for the observed effects. The air-pouch technique will be used to assess the effect of apoptotic cells on activated neutrophils in vivo.

Sara Roth graduated in 09/2015 and is now working as a PostDoc in Australia.