Coagulation signaling as a modulator for anti-tumor immunity (10)

• Subject Area: Immunology
• Term: since 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 318346496

We showed that macrophages express the coagulation proteases FVII, FX and their receptors tissue factor and endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR). FX promotes tumor immune evasion. FXa inhibition led to increased abundance of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and cytotoxic T-cells (CTL) in the tumor and synergized with checkpoint blockade. In contrast, our preliminary data implicate divergent effects of FVII and EPCR. In the second funding period, we will analyze effects of coagulation on the development of APCs and their ability for antigen presentation and CTL activation. Within the CRC, we will elucidate the clinical implications of coagulation protease expression by macrophages in malignancy.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1292: Targeting convergent mechanisms of inefficient immunity in tumors and chronic infections
• Applicant Institution: Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz
• Project Heads: Claudine Graf, Ph.D.; Professor Dr. Wolfram Ruf