Leucocytes influence countless processes in our bodies and play an important role in the context of many diseases (cancer, arteriosclerosis, etc.). To achieve a better understanding of their formation and function, and also develop new approaches to treatment based on the unique capabilities of specialised immune cells (such as monocytes or T cells), we need to study their natural development as well as their interactions with one another and with their environment. At the same time, we examine the genetic material of immune cells, searching in particular for ‘switches’ and regulatory mechanisms that influence these cells’ development and activity. With these investigations, we aim to achieve a better understanding of immune cell function so as to manipulate these cells in specific ways and, ultimately, harness their capabilities for therapeutic purposes.
Data protection notice: Details of your age and sex are required. Some DNA sequencing is required.
Specific research projects:
Mechanism and relevance of DNA methylation for monocyte differentiation (Ethics Committee vote ref. no.: 15-101-0021)
Cell type-specific gene expression in the differentiation and activation of mononuclear phagocytes: mechanisms of transcription regulation (Ethics Committee vote ref. no.: 15-101-0047)
Role of EGR2 and its co-factors in the differentiation of human monocytes (Ethics Committee vote ref. no.: 22-2789-101)
Partnerships with other institutions (potential sharing of biomaterials and data):
Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy (LIT)
FANTOM Consortium (Japan, EU-compliant level of data protection)
Lead investigator:
Prof. Dr. Michael Rehli
Department of Internal Medicine III
Regensburg University Hospital
michael.rehli@ukr.de
Comparative analysis of immune cell and tumour cell metabolism as the basis for a selective metabolic inhibitor cancer therapy
This project aims to improve the lymphocyte-mediated response to solid tumours and leukaemia by the administration of substances that modulate metabolism. As a basis for this project, a comparison is made between the metabolic profiles of immune cells and tumour cells, coupled with an evaluation of the potential side effects of metabolic inhibitors on immune cell function.
To this end, immune cells harvested from leukapheresis (e.g. T cells, natural killer cells, monocytes, dendritic cells, B cells) will be isolated and their metabolic profiles compared to those of tumour cells in various contexts (metabolites, gene regulation, genetics and epigenetics). In addition, the potential effects of metabolic inhibitors on immune cell function will also be investigated.
Data protection notice: Details of your age and sex are required. Some DNA sequencing is required.
Specific research project:
Comparative analysis of immune cell and tumour cell metabolism as the basis for a selective metabolic inhibitor cancer therapy (Ethics Committee vote ref. no.: 13-101-0240)
Partnerships with other institutions:
Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy (LIT)
Lead investigator:
PD Dr. Kathrin Renner-Sattler
Department of Internal Medicine III
Regensburg University Hospital
kathrin.renner-sattler@ukr.de
Leucocytes influence countless processes in our bodies and play an important role in the context of many diseases (cancer, autoimmune diseases, arteriosclerosis, etc.). We conduct investigations into the function and efficacy of immune cells, with the long-term goal of helping to improve treatments for cancers and malignant diseases of the haematopoietic and lymphatic systems (e.g. leukaemia), as well as improving blood stem cell transplantation. One aim of this project is to conduct research on how the immune system can be more effectively harnessed for the treatment of cancers. The project will also investigate how undesirable side effects of stem cell transplantation (e.g. rejection responses, infections) can be best avoided or more effectively treated.
Data protection notice: Details of your age, sex and certain tissue characteristics (HLA genotype) are required. Some DNA sequencing is required. Information about whether you are a carrier of certain herpesviruses (e.g. Cytomegalovirus) will be required.
Specific research projects:
Modulation of the graft-versus-host and graft-versus-leukaemia immune response following allogeneic stem cell transplantation; DFG Collaborative Research Centre/Transregio 221 (Ethics Committee vote ref. no.: 13-2400_1-101)
Generation of immune cells specific to cancers, leukaemia and viral disease, and minimisation of side-effects in the context of adoptive lymphocyte therapy (Ethics Committee vote ref. no.: 13-101-0240)
Partnerships with other institutions (potential sharing of biomaterials and data):
DFG Collaborative Research Centre/Transregio 221; research partner within the EU (EU-compliant level of data protection)
Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy (LIT)
Lead investigator:
Prof. Dr. Simone Thomas
Department of Internal Medicine III
Regensburg University Hospital
simone.thomas@ukr.de
Lymphocytes play a major role in countering pathogens such as viruses as well as in the destruction, and therefore suppression, of malignant cells. In the case of patients with a weakened immune system in particular, chronic viral infections can also promote the onset of cancer. Accordingly, we aim to improve our understanding of the interactions between leukaemia/lymphoma cells and immune defence cells. To achieve this, we must study their natural development, potential functional defects and interactions with immune cells – both when normal and when modified by malignant disease. Our work will investigate surface properties and messenger substances as well as modified regulatory mechanisms in immune cell DNA, which are important for the development, activity and function of these immune defence cells.
Our investigations aim to improve our understanding of the function of immune cells and to explore a potential immunosuppressive effect exerted by acute leukaemia (ALL) or lymphoma cells on the immune system’s T cells, with the aim of being able to manipulate these cells in the future to ensure that patient therapies are less aggressive, more targeted and more effective.
Data protection notice: Details of your age, sex and HLA characteristics may be required. Some DNA sequencing is required.
Specific research projects:
Investigations of the effect of precursor B-cell lymphoblastic leukaemia cells on immune synapse formation, and on the survival, activation and function of T cells (Ethics Committee vote ref. no.:: 16-101-0170)
Investigation of T-cell immunity in children and adolescents with EBV-positive and EBV-negative Hodgkin’s disease (Ethics Committee vote ref. no.: 18-1289-103)
Investigations of the immunomodulatory effect of precursor B-cell lymphoblastic leukaemia cells on the function of autologous and allogeneic T cells (Ethics Committee vote ref. no.:: 21-2694-101)
Internal partnerships:
Partnerships with other institutions (potential sharing of biomaterials and data):
Lead investigator:
PD Dr. Anja Tröger
Dept. of Paediatric Haematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation
Regensburg University Hospital
anja.troeger@ukr.de
The immune system protects an organism from intruding pathogens while also eliminating the body’s own degenerate cells. The basic building blocks of the immune system are innate immunity and acquired immunity. The innate immune system includes both unconventional T cells (γ/δ T cells, natural killer T cells) as well as natural killer cells and macrophages.
In places such as the liver, for example, these cells constitute a first line of defence against intruding bacteria and viruses, although their responses can also promote inflammation and therefore themselves cause illness (NASH).
Data protection notice: Details of your age and sex are required. Some DNA sequencing is required.
Specific research projects:
Innate immune responses in hepatitis E viral infections (Ethics Committee vote ref. no.: 19-1570-101)
Worldwide, the hepatitis E viral infection is one of the most common causes of acute hepatitis. Although the disease progresses with few clinical symptoms in most cases, severe and chronic progression is nonetheless possible, especially in immunosuppressed patients.
Investigations into the acquired immune response – and antibody reactions in particular – have shown that past cases of HEV do not protect against repeat infection. In this context, the cellular immune response from the innate immune system in particular (e.g. natural killer cells) appears significant. Ribavirin is currently used to treat HEV infections. Accordingly, the research project will investigate the immunomodulatory effect of ribavirin in the context of HEV infections and on natural killer cells in particular.
Partnerships with other institutions (potential sharing of biomaterials and data):
Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy (LIT)
Lead investigator:
PD Dr. Jens M. Werner
Department of Surgery
Regensburg University Hospital
jens.werner@ukr.de
Bacteria and other pathogens like viruses cause direct harm to the body during an infection as a result of tissue damage or the release of poisons. In addition, these pathogens also contain elements that promote inflammation, which can lead to an undesirable and damaging overresponse on the part of the human immune system. This overresponse can lead to situations where severe infections become life-threatening. Prompt and effective treatment then becomes problematic.
Improving treatments for such life-threatening infections requires a deeper understanding of the inflammatory processes that are triggered in the body. An in vitro experiment will combine microbial constituents that promote inflammation with autologous substances and apply these to human immune cells, before investigating the processes triggered to develop new therapeutic approaches.
Data protection notice: Details of your age and sex are required. Some DNA sequencing is required.
Specific research projects
Influence of bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI) on the stimulation of PBMCs with TLR ligands (Ethics Committee vote ref. no.: 16-101-0302)
Partnerships with other institutions (potential sharing of biomaterials and data):
Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy (LIT)
Lead investigator:
Dr. Sigrid Bülow
Institute of Microbiology and Hygiene
Regensburg University Hospital
sigrid.buelow@ukr.de
We are investigating the mechanisms of immunologically mediated liver transplant rejection. The aim here is to develop new markers for detection and new therapeutic strategies to prevent transplant damage so as to improve transplant survival and to ensure that liver transplant recipients can enjoy a life without dialysis for as long as possible. By means of a targeted intervention in the mechanisms of cellular immune response and antibody formation, the aim is to prevent transplant rejection and the accompanying transplant damage.
We are conducting investigations into the function of immune cells that could play an important role in organ transplant damage as well as transplant rejection. Our investigations typically pursue multiple goals. First, we are investigating the mechanisms by which immune cells are activated and can damage the transplanted organ. In this respect, we are investigating, in particular, the regulation of immune cell activation and function. One key focus of this part of our work is investigating the activation and pharmacological impact of allospecific (i.e. specifically targeting the transplant) T cells and B cells, and their differentiation into effector cell and memory cell populations. Furthermore, our investigations have the long-term goal of improving early detection of immune cell damage mechanisms in transplant recipients by means of certain cellular markers. We are also researching new therapeutic approaches aimed at preventing damage to transplants from immune cells. Some aspects of this research also concern resistance to infection under immune suppression, for example how certain viral diseases (e.g. involving Cytomegalovirus) can be better prevented and/or treated following a transplant.
During blood donation, specific blood platelets (thrombocytes) are systematically isolated and used for patient transfusions. A small proportion of white blood cells (leucocytes) remain in a part of the blood donation system (the leucocyte reduction system or LRS chamber) and are typically discarded, since they cannot be used for blood transfusion patients. We are using these leucocytes for our research.
Data protection notice: Details of your age, sex and certain tissue characteristics (HLA genotype) are required. Some DNA sequencing may be required in order to perform supplementary determination of tissue compatibility characteristics (HLA typing). Information about whether donors are carriers of certain herpesviruses (e.g. Cytomegalovirus) may be required.
Specific research projects:
Investigation of immune cell function and markers with relevance for organ transplantation (Ethics Committee vote ref. no.: 21-2436-101)
Partnerships with other institutions:
Institute of Functional Genomics, Regensburg
Lead investigator:
Dr. Louisa Steines
Dept. of Nephrology
Regensburg University Hospital
louisa.steines@ukr.de
Cells in the immune system not only fight pathogens, but also eliminate damaged and malignant cells. Regulatory mechanisms also play a decisive role in the immune system, preventing overreactions to pathogens, ensuring that an immune response is not targeted against the organism’s own body (autoimmunity) and also helping to resolve the inflammatory response following the successful clearance of the pathogenic stimulus. From a therapeutic perspective, the targeted strengthening of this immunoregulatory mechanism would be a promising approach for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and the minimisation of rejection reactions following organ transplants. In contrast, the targeted suppression of regulatory immune responses would result in a significantly more effective immune response against tumour cells.
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are an important part of autologous immunoregulatory mechanisms. Naive CD4+ T cells can be induced to convert into Tregs by regulatory macrophages. By investigating and characterising these interactions between CD4+ T cells and macrophages more precisely, we receive valuable information about the generation and functionality of Tregs. In turn, these insights then form the basis for the targeted manipulation of regulatory cells for therapeutic purposes.
Data protection notice: Details of your age and sex are required.Some DNA sequencing is required.
Specific research projects:
Innate immune responses in hepatitis C viral infection in the context of liver transplantation (Ethics Committee vote ref. no.: 19-1403-101)
Partnerships with other institutions (potential sharing of biomaterials and data):
Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy (LIT)
Lead investigator:
Dr. James Hutchinson
Department of Surgery
Regensburg University Hospital
james.hutchinson@ukr.de
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