Synergistic effects of a high-salt diet (HSD) and chronic psychological stress on antibacterial immune responses (P14)

• Subject Area: Immunology ; Nephrology ; Cell Biology
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 432325352

We could show that a high-salt diet (HSD) suppressed neutrophil function by elevating corticosterone levels, which suppressed neutrophil maturation in the bone marrow and compromised the defense against bacterial infections. Additionally, we discovered that coinciding psychological stressors exacerbated such immune suppression in mice. We now aim to analyze whether stress and HSD synergistically affect metaflammation and stress vulnerability, thereby predisposing individuals to life-style diseases.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1454: Metaflammation and Cellular Programming
• Applicant Institution: Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn
• Project Heads: Dr. Anne-Kathrin Gellner, since 1/2025; Professor Dr. Christian Kurts