FOR 1336:  From Monocytes to Brain Macrophages - Conditions Influencing the Fate of Myeloid Cells in the Brain

• Subject Area: Medicine
• Term: from 2010 to 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 140392386

The major aim of the Research Unit is the coordinated investigation of the functional, spatial, temporal and developmental diversity of myeloid cells in the central nervous system (CNS). The brain hosts a heterogenous population of myeloid cells, including microglia, perivascular cells, meningeal macrophages and disease-associated blood-borne monocytes. In contrast to other glial cells, brain macrophages are more related to the peripheral immune system than to the neuroectoderm. Thus far, the different types of brain macrophages have been discriminated solely on the basis of their localisation, morphology and surface epitope expression. However, recent data suggest that resident microglia may be functionally distinct from bone marrow-derived macrophages, which invade the CNS under pathological conditions.
During the last few years, research on brain macrophages has been dramatically changed by the advent of novel tools in imaging, genetics and immunology. These new methodologies have yielded unexpected results, which challenge the traditional view of brain macrophages. Based on these recent studies, performed in part by members of this Research Unit, we propose a new classification of brain macrophage subtypes with regard to their origin, function and fate within the CNS.

• DFG Programme: Research Units
• International Connection: Israel

Projects

• Anti-Inflammatory Polarization of Microglia by ITIM-SHP1 Signalling (Applicant Neumann, Harald )
• CD14 as a Gate Keeper in Microglial Responses to PAMPs and DAMPs (Applicant Brück, Wolfgang )
• Coordinating Project (Applicant Prinz, Marco )
• Developmental Specialization or Local Adoption: The Case of "New Microglia" (Applicant Bechmann, Ingo )
• Pathogenic Role of Microglia and Macrophages in Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration/Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis with TSP-43 Pathology (Applicant Priller, Josef )
• Role and Function of Microglia Cells in Autoimmune CNS Inflammation (Applicant Waisman, Ari )
• Role of the Transcription Factor IRF-8 for Microglia Homeostasis and Function (Applicant Prinz, Marco )
• Studying Molecular Aspects and Contributions of Microglia in Brain Context (Applicant Jung, Ph.D., Steffen )
• The Role of PU.1 in Homeostasis and Function of Brain Macrophages (Applicant Rosenbauer, Frank )
• Understanding the Protective Function of Microglia: Focus on P2X7 (Applicant Biber, Knut )
• Visualizing the Role of Myeloid Cells During CNS Autoimmunity (Applicant Flügel, Alexander )

• Spokespersons: Professor Dr. Josef Priller; Professor Dr. Marco Prinz