MacTrac – Tracking spatio-temporal trajectories of macrophage subtypes in inflammatory demyelination

• Applicants: Professor Dr.-Ing. Julio Saez-Rodriguez; Professor Dr. Lucas Schirmer
• Subject Area: Molecular and Cellular Neurology and Neuropathology ; Molecular Biology and Physiology of Neurons and Glial Cells
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 500301475

MacTrac is about spatial and temporal trajectories of macrophage subtypes in inflammatory demyelination. First, we will map gene expression across inflammatory-demyelinating lesion areas in multiple sclerosis (MS). Then, we will define myeloid subtype diversity and generate integrated bioinformatic maps of transformative states underlying MS lesion progression. Finally, we will move to transgenic models that allows tracking of myeloid cell subtypes during progressive inflammatory demyelination to gain insight into specific subtype functions. MacTrac is to define the impact of brain infiltrating and resident myeloid cell types on surrounding neuroglial cell types and the tissue microenvironment. MacTrac aims at dissecting transcriptomic signatures of blood-borne infiltrating versus brain resident macrophages. We will analyze spatially restricted myeloid cell heterogeneity using single-nucleus and spatially resolved RNA-sequencing technologies in tissue samples of individuals diagnosed with MS and transgenic models to study myeloid cell subtypes along spatio-temporal trajectories.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 2395: Local and peripheral drivers of microglial diversity and function
• International Connection: Austria
• Cooperation Partner: Dr. Simon Hametner, Ph.D.