Local immunomodulation by viral vectors and genetic modifications
(A02)
Subject Area
Immunology
Virology
Term
from 2012 to 2024
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 213602983
The aim of this project is to develop strategies of local immunomodulation to protect the xeno-heart and facilitate long-term engraftment. Components encoding immunomodulatory agents are delivered either by recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors (rAAV), micro-RNAs, small hairpin (sh) RNAs or by genetic modifications of the donor animal. We plan to downregulate pro-inflammatory targets (e.g. the inflammasome NLRP3), increase expression of anti-inflammatory targets (e.g. the “don’t-eat-me” signal CD47) and evaluate the effect of local T cell co-stimulation blockade via LEA29Y in order to minimise rejection mechanisms. The targets are investigated in vivo in pig models of ischemia/reperfusion and in a heterotopic abdominal heart allotransplantation model that was established within a Young Investigator Project of the last funding period.
DFG Programme
CRC/Transregios
