Impact on innate immune signals on hapten-specific immune responses

    The aim of this proposal is the analysis of mechanisms of the innate immune system and their interactions with adaptive immune responses in hapten-specific T cell-mediated skin reactions (Low zone tolerance [LZT], contact hypersensitivity [CHS]). We will focus on the molecular (pattern recognition receptors), cellular (myeloid cells) and on microbiome-induced mechanisms for the development of skin inflammation. Furthermore, we will analyse the cutaneous immune response of CHS patients in comparison to murine data. The identification of novel innate immune mechanisms may result in the development of innovative therapeutic approaches for cutaneous diseases.  

    Research area: Skin immunology

    Prof. Dr. Kerstin Steinbrink

    Funding period: July 2020 - June 2024

    • Publications

      Original articles

      • Raker VK, Becker C, Landfester K, Steinbrink K (2020) Targeted Activation of T Cells with IL-2-Coupled Nanoparticles. Cells 9;9(9):2063

      • Stegemann A, Flis D, Ziolkowski W, Distler JHW, Steinbrink K, Böhm M (2020) The α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor: A Promising Target for the Treatment of Fibrotic Skin Disorders. J Invest Dermatol 140(12):2371-2379

      • Haub J, Roehrig N, Uhrin P, Schabhauer G, Eulberg D, Melchior F, Shahneh F, Probst HC, Becker C, Steinbrink K, Raker VK* (2019) Intervention of inflammatory monocyte activity limits dermal fibrosis. J Invest Dermatol in press; (Epub ahead of print; doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2019.04.006) (*contributed equally)
      • Schmidt T, Lorenz N, Raker VK, Schmidgen MI, Mahnke K, Enk A, Roth J, Steinbrink K (2018) Allergen-Specific low zone tolerance is independent of MRP8/14-, TLR4-, TLR7-, and TLR9-mediated immune processes. J Invest Dermatol 138: 452-455.
      • Haeberle S, Raker V, Haub J, Kim YO, Weng SY, Yilmaz OK, Enk A, Steinbrink K, Schuppan D*, Hadaschik EN* (2017) Regulatory T cell deficient-scurfy mice exhibit skin fibrosis and a Th2/M2-like inflammatory response resembling scleroderma. J Dermatol Sci 87: 285-291. (*contributed equally)
      • Schmidt T, Lorenz N, Raker VK, Reißig S, Waisman A, Weigmann B, Steinbrink K (2016) Epicutaneous and oral low zone tolerance protects from colitis in mice. J Invest Dermatol 136: 1831-1839.
      • Frick SU, Domogalla MP, Baier G, Wurm FR, Mailaender V, Landfester K, Steinbrink K (2016) IL-2 functionalized nanocapsules for T cell-based immunotherapy. ACS Nano 10: 9216-9226.
      • Kryczanowsky F, Raker V, Graulich E, Domogalla MP, Steinbrink K (2016) IL-10-modulated human dendritic cells for clinical use: identification of a stable and migratory subset with improved tolerogenic activity. J Immunol 197: 3607-3617.
      • Raker VK, Ook KY, Haub J, Lorenz N, Schmidt T, Stegemann A, Böhm M, Schuppan D, Steinbrink K (2016) Myeloid cell populations and fibrogenic parameters in bleomycin- and HOCl-induced fibrosis. Exp Dermatol 25: 887-894.