Signals mediating crosstalk of intestinal epithelial cells with innate lymphoid cells in inflammatory bowel diseases
Project Summary
Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are key regulators of intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) homeostasis and play a dual role in intestinal inflammation. However, the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain poorly understood. We hypothesize that distinct IEC-derived signals shape the effector functions of ILCs, thereby influencing epithelial responses and inflammation in different ways. This project focuses on characterizing the signals that govern ILC–IEC communication during homeostasis and inflammation. By identifying and manipulating these signaling pathways, we aim to enhance the regenerative and protective functions of ILCs while dampening the pathogenic circuits that contribute to inflammatory bowel diseases.
Selected project-relevant publications
Cineus R, Luo Y, Saliutina M, Manna S, Cancino CA, Velasco Blázquez L, Wang L, Bösel D, Abdelrahman A, Klementowicz JE, Scherl A, Hainbuch S, Bréart B, Kwon G, Konopka A, Guerra GM, von Coburg E, Gerbeth L, Roels J, Heinrich F, Müller N, Durek P, Deigendesch N, Ziai J, Hung J, Conrad T; TRR241 IBDome Consortium; Kühl AA, Wirtz S, Löhning M, Keir M, Diefenbach A, Mashreghi MF, Siegmund B, Schumann M, Romagnani C, West NR, Hegazy AN.
The IL-22-oncostatin M axis promotes intestinal inflammation and tumorigenesis.
Nat Immunol. 2025 Jun;26(6):837-853. doi: 10.1038/s41590-025-02149-z.
Jarick KJ, Topczewska PM, Jakob MO, Yano H, Arifuzzaman M, Gao X, Boulekou S, Stokic-Trtica V, Leclère PS, Preußer A, Rompe ZA, Stamm A, Tsou AM, Chu C, Heinrich FR, Guerra GM, Durek P, Ivanov A, Beule D, Helfrich S, Duerr CU, Kühl AA, Stehle C, Romagnani C, Mashreghi MF, Diefenbach A, Artis D, Klose CSN.
Non-redundant functions of group 2 innate lymphoid cells.
Nature. 2022 Nov;611(7937):794-800. doi: 10.1038/s41586-022-05395-5. Epub 2022 Nov 2. PMID: 36323785; PMCID: PMC7614745.