CXCL14/BRAK: Organization of immune defense at barrier organs

This project analyses the functions of a recently identified chemokine, CXCL14, which is expressed in epithelial surfaces and whose expression is modulated by pathogen infections. It could be shown that CXCL14 expression is markedly downregulated in human papilloma virus (HPV)-induced Condylomata acuminata. Conversely, it could be found that early viral genes of human cytomegalovirus are responsible for the induction of CXCL14 through AP-1 activation in infected cells. The aims of the project are the investigation of the signalling pathways that pathogens utilize to interfere with CXCL14 production, unraveling of the in vivo role of CXCL14 during immune defense at epithelial surfaces employing infection models for MCMV and Staphylococcus aureus in wildtype and CXCL14-deficient mice, and examination of the modulation of chemokine expression and of the organization of cutaneous immune defense by epidermal growth factor (EGFR) signaling.

Prof. Dr. med. Bernhard Homey
Department of Dermatology, Heinrich-Heine-University of Düsseldorf

TP1 in period 2007-2009 (german only)