The longstanding interest of my research lies in the signaling processes involved in the maturation, activation and differentiation of T cells. Knowledge of the signaling mechanisms involved not only contributes to a general understanding of T cell function, but is also a prerequisite for the development of new drugs and the targeted pharmacological intervention of the T cell response, e.g. in inflammatory or autoimmune diseases, after chemotherapy, in aging or T-cell leukemias.

Of particular interest are the Lck-Erk signaling molecules and the function of the serine/threonine kinase protein kinase B (PKB/Akt). We were able to show in a mouse model that constitutively active PKBα (myrPKB) regulates both the thymic maturation of T cells and their proliferation, survival and differentiation into Th17 and Treg cells. Hyperactive PKB leads to the formation of T cell lymphomas and also affects B cell maturation and function.

As part of the SFB 854 "Molecular organization of cellular communication in the immune system", the function of NMDA receptors in lymphocytes was investigated in interdisciplinary project 9. The research results obtained with our cooperation partners (Dr. Heine, Leibniz Institute) indicate that the modulation of T cell function by NMDAR antagonists could be helpful in the therapy of allergies, autoimmune diseases or in transplantations.

Current projects include analyzing the role of the transcription factor YB-1 (a member of the cold shock proteins) in T cell maturation and its function in disease models such as EAE, an animal model of multiple sclerosis.

Contact

Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Ursula Bommhardt