CRC 263, Project A1: Dynamics of local defense reaction and pathogen distribution in an early phase of infection with Leishmania major

The research program deals with the analysis of the regulation and dysregulation of humoral and cell-mediated reactions during the innate and acquired immune response against infectious agents, in inflammation and certain autoimmune diseases. Particular interest is given to the enzyme type 2 nitric oxide synthase, the IL-4-receptor-mediated signal transduction pathway, immunophilins, chemokine-regulated cell migration and the role of CD1-restricted T-lymphocytes in bacterial-induced immunreaction.In addition the effects of several mediators, i.e. cytokines, integrins etc., are tested in the model of glomerulonephritis, as well as the activation of T cells in inflammatory reactions, integrin-mediated cell migratory processes, and the role of proteasoms in NO-mediated apoptoses are studied.Furthermore principal mechanisms are analysed that result in humoral and cellular immunreactions against autologous structures, such as cartilage-specific collagen II, self-DNA or hemidesmonal proteins on keratinocytes. The three project areas consist of a total of 16 subprojects.