RNAi screening to break tolerance in an autoimmunity model of diabetic RIP-GP mice

• Applicant: Dr. Anne Brüstle
• Subject Area: Immunology
• Term: from 2008 to 2011
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 90887516

The control of immune tolerance is the last frontier of immunology. The breaking of tolerance can be manipulated to treat chronic infections and target tumours. On the other hand, the establishment of immune tolerance is required to prevent autoimmunity. Between 3-5% of the Western population suffers from autoimmune diseases (AID) demonstrating an important impact for our health system. Autoimmunity develops by overriding the tolerance of the immune system against own structures. Hereby, tolerance is not as much dependent on the kind of antigen but rather on the context of presenting it. The mechanisms underlying tolerance induction will be analysed in the herein proposed study, by taking advantage of RIP-GP mice, a model for type 1 Diabetes (T1D). In the focus will be the antigen presenting dendritic cell (DC). By using an RNAi library, a variety of different genes expressed in DCs will be analysed in a short time period concerning their impact for induction or suppression of T1D. Aim of the study is to identify new candidate genes in antigen-presenting cells so far not connected to the disease. Knowledge of signal transduction pathways related to these molecules might lead to advantages in diagnostic approaches or therapies.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: Canada
• Host: Professor Dr. Tak Mak