Investigating humoral autoimmunity against the NMDA-receptor NR1 subunit by super-resolution fluorescence microscopy: effects on synapse integrity and function (D02 [B02])

• Subject Area: Biophysics
• Term: from 2015 to 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 258780946

The GluN1 subunit of the NMDA receptor is the target epitope for pathogenic autoantibodies causing NMDAR encephalitis. Patient-derived GluN1 autoantibodies induce reduction of NMDAR mediated current in synapses and lead to defective synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus. Using super-resolution microscopy, and combined intravital microscopy with patch-clamp electrophysiology we study NMDAR dependent signaling and pathology with high sensitivity and accuracy that possibly lead to identification of intervention strategies in NMDAR encephalitis on the molecular level.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 166: High-end light microscopy elucidates membrane receptor function - ReceptorLight
• Applicant Institution: Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
• Project Heads: Privatdozent Dr. Sören Doose; Professor Dr. Christian Geis