Principal Investigators:

Prof. Dr. med. Jan Buer
Institute of Medical Microbiology
University Hospital Essen
University of Duisburg-Essen

jan.buer@uk-essen.de

The impact of CD47 signaling on the immune response
during influenza virus infection

The cell surface protein CD47 is expressed on nearly all cell types and has significant impact on immune responses. For instance it has been demonstrated that CD47 signaling influences the recruitment of monocytes to inflammatory sites and plays also an important role in T cell activation and differentiation into regulatory T cells (Tregs). However, the function of CD47 during infection is yet not fully understood. Therefore, the aim of this project is to investigate the function of CD47 during influenza A virus infection. We aim to define its role for the innate immune cell function in the lung and the consequences for the formation of required pathogen-specific T cell responses. Finally, we will try to translate and apply the results for potential therapeutic treatment of severe influenza virus infection.

Publications

Heße C, Kollenda S, Rotan O, Pastille E, Adamczyk A, Wenzek C, Hansen W, Epple M, Buer J, Westendorf AM, Knuschke T. A tumor-peptide-based nanoparticle vaccine elicits efficient tumor growth control in antitumor immunotherapy. Mol Cancer Ther 2019; 18: 1069-1080.

Knuschke T, Rotan O, Bayer W, Kollenda S, Dickow J, Sutter K, Hansen W, Dittmer U, Lang KS, Epple M, Buer J, Westendorf AM. Induction of type I interferons by therapeutic nanoparticle-based vaccination is indispensable to reinforce cytotoxic CD8+ T cell responses during chronic retroviral infection. Front Immunol 2018; 9: 614.

Knuschke T, Rotan O, Bayer W, Sokolova V, Hansen W, Sparwasser T, Dittmer U, Epple M, Buer J, Westendorf AM. Combination of nanoparticle-based therapeutic vaccination and transient ablation of regulatory T cells enhances anti-viral immunity during chronic retroviral infection. Retrovirology. 2016 Apr 14; 13:24.

Niezold, T, Storcksdieck Genannt Bonsmann M, Maaske A, Temchura V, Heinecke V, Hannaman D, Buer J, Erhardt C, Hansen W, Überla K, Tenbusch M. DNA vaccines encoding DEC205-targeted antigens: immunity or tolerance? Immunology 2015 Aug; 145(4):519-33.

Knuschke T, Bayer W, Rotan O, Sokolova V, Wadwa M, Kirschning CJ, Hansen W, Dittmer U, Epple M, Buer J, Westendorf AM. Prophylactic and therapeutic vaccination with a nanoparticle-based peptide vaccine induces efficient protective immunity during acute and chronic retroviral infection. Nanomedicine. 2014 Nov; 10(8):1787-98.

Knuschke T, Sokolova V, Rotan O, Wadwa M, Hansen W, Staeheli P, Epple M, Buer J, Westendorf AM. Immunization with biodegradable nanoparticles efficiently induces cellular immunity and protects against influenza virus infection. Journal of Immunology. 2013 Jun 15; 190(12):6221-9.

Tosiek MJ, Bader SR, Gruber AD, Buer J, Gereke M, Bruder D. CD8+ T Cells Responding to Alveolar Self-Antigen Lack CD25 Expression and Fail to Precipitate Autoimmunity. American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology. 2012 Dec; 47: 6, 869-878.

Tosiek MJ, Gruber AD, Bader S, Hoymann HG, Mauel S, Tschwernig T, Buer J, Gereke M, Bruder D. CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ regulatory T cells are dispensable for controlling CD8 + T cell-mediated lung inflammation. Journal of Immunology. 2011 186: 11, 6106-6118.

Sokolova V, Knuschke T, Kovtun A, Buer J, Epple M, Westendorf AM. The use of calcium phosphate nanoparticles encapsulating Toll-like receptor ligands and the antigen hemagglutinin to induce dendritic cell maturation and T cell activation. Biomaterials. 2010 Jul; 31(21):5627-33.

Gereke M, Jung S, Buer J, Bruder D. Alveolar type II epithelial cells present antigen to CD4+ T cells and induce Foxp3+ regulatory T cells. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 2009 179: 5: 344-355.

Bruder D, Westendorf AM, Geffers R, Gruber AD, Gereke M, Enelow RI, Buer J. CD4+ T Lymphocyte-mediated lung disease: steady state between pathological and tolerogenic immune reactions. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2004 Dec 1; 170(11):1145-52.