Pathomechanisms of Sensory Defects in the Eye During Autoimmune Gray and White Matter Disease (A06)

• Subject Area: Experimental Models for the Understanding of Nervous System Diseases ; Ophthalmology ; Immunology
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 528760423

This project will investigate the effects of autoimmune inflammation on the eye. In CNS autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis, the eye is a regular target of inflammation, leading to structural damage of retina and optic nerve and visual impairment. The mechanisms linking inflammation and neurodegeneration in the distinct ocular compartments are unclear. We developed experimental models to selectively trigger autoimmune inflammation in either retina or optic nerve. Thus, we can monitor how the autoimmune processes affect the distinct ocular tissues. We will track in real time the inflammatory processes in the eye and characterize the molecular damage mechanisms to develop perspectives for targeted therapeutic strategies.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1690: Disease Mechanisms and Functional Restoration of Sensory and Motor Systems
• Applicant Institution: Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Alexander Flügel; Professorin Dr. Francesca Odoardi