The role of primary cilia in controlling metaflammation (P18)

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

We could show that obese ciliopathy patients, carrying a mutation in BBS1, display a healthy obesity phenotype, characterized by an anti-inflammatory immune cell profile, in particular for regulatory T cells (Tregs), whereas BBS10 patients display metaflammation and liver steatosis. Using a BBS mouse model that resembles the healthy BBS1 obesity phenotype, we could show that primary cilia control the fate of adipocyte progenitor cells in WAT and immune cell remodelling. We now aim to reveal the molecular mechanisms underlying healthy vs. non-healthy obesity in BBS.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1454: Metaflammation and Cellular Programming
• Applicant Institution: Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn
• Project Head: Professorin Dr. Dagmar Wachten