Functional role of the alveolar epithelial glycocalyx in pulmonary defense and inflammation (B02)

• Subject Area: Pneumology, Thoracic Surgery
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 431232613

The epithelial glycocalyx has diverse functional properties that enables physiological homeostasis in addition to regulating susceptibility to pathogens. We have demonstrated that intact heparan sulfate and hyaluronan regulate lung and epithelial barrier functionality during infection. Disruption of pulmonary fucosylation has shown promise in alleviating murine pneumococcal pneumonia. Accordingly, we aim to investigate mutations in human fucosyltransferases and how fucosylation influences clinical outcome in pneumonia patients, its mechanistic role in disease pathogenesis and therapeutic potential in preventing establishment of infection.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1449: Dynamic Hydrogels at Biointerfaces
• Applicant Institution: Freie Universität Berlin
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Peter H. Seeberger; Professor Dr. Martin Witzenrath