DNA damage in macrophages controls reciprocal interactions with host tissue cells

• Applicants: Professorin Dr. Katrin Kierdorf; Professorin Dr. Katrin Paeschke
• Subject Area: Cell Biology
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 533863915

In immune cells, it is known that programmed DNA damage is important for the maturation and function of these cells (e.g. macrophages and B cells). In a recent joint publication, we have shown that controlled DNA damage modulates cytokine release in Drosophila macrophages upon oxidative stress, which is essential to regulate energy mobilization and subsequently the organism’s survival during oxidative stress. In the here described project we will investigate how genome stability events in macrophages positively influence the expression of cytokines and affects the communication between macrophages and their neighboring cells (e.g. liver or fat body). To address this question we will use in addition to mouse- and human-derived macrophages, also Drosophila as a model organism.

• DFG Programme: Research Units
• Subproject of: FOR 5775: Macrophage Niche Network Dynamics - Defining macrophages as choreographers of tissue development and function