Post-transcriptional control of tissue-resident regulatory T cells (A06)

• Subject Area: Immunology
• Term: since 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 490846870

Treg cells employ sophisticated gene regulation that includes the post-transcriptional level. Our preliminary data involve Roquin RNA-binding proteins in the conversion of Treg cells to follicular regulatory T cells, altered frequency and phenotype of tissue-resident Treg cells and instability of Treg cells during inflammation. We will now investigate mice with inducible inactivation of Roquin-1/2 in Treg cells or mice expressing Roquin-1 and Roquin-2 knockin mutations that render these proteins insensitive to antigen-induced cleavage by MALT1. Describing phenotypes and gene expression changes in these mice and during these processes, we will form hypotheses and determine contributions of individual post-transcriptional targets to understand the underlying molecular mechanism.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 355: Heterogeneity and functional specialization of regulatory T cells in distinct microenvironments
• Applicant Institution: Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Vigo Heissmeyer