Orchestrating innate immune responses in leishmaniasis - the role of cutaneous DC subtypes (A03)

• Subject Area: Immunology
• Term: from 2015 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 246807620

Different DC subsets in the skin play divergent roles during T cell priming and education. Previously, the von Stebut group demonstrated that epidermal Langerhans cells (LC) regulate anti-Leishmania immunity, but do not promote protection via Th1/Tc1 induction. In the present proposal, the group now aims to identify protection-promoting DC subsets in skin as well as the underlying mechanisms. In light of vaccine development, knowledge about immune modulating functions of skin DC is critical.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 156: The skin as sensor and effector orchestrating local and systemic immunity
• Applicant Institution: Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
• Co-Applicant Institution: Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz
• Project Head: Professorin Dr. Ruth Esther von Stebut-Borschitz