The role of bronchial and nasal epithelial cells in allergies

Allergens from the environment that are harmless in themselves trigger the formation of IgE antibodies, which are responsible for allergies. In respiratory allergies, cells in the airways are the first to come into contact with allergens. The specialist area of biotechnology is investigating the role they play in the allergic immune response.

Duration: 15.1. 2012 to 14.1. 2015

The project analyses which genes and signal transduction pathways are induced in nasal and bronchial epithelial cells when they are exposed to allergen sources. Two test systems are used: a bronchial epithelial cell line and primary cells from the nasal mucosa. Pollen from grasses, trees and weeds as well as house dust mites, animal hair and fungal spores are tested as allergen sources. Microarrays, real-time PCR analyses and ELISA experiments are used to investigate the effect of the different allergen sources on gene expression in epithelial cells at RNA and protein level. The aim is to better understand the pathomechanisms of the allergic reaction and to develop new strategies for the treatment of respiratory allergies.

• Cell-based test systems
• Investigation at RNA and protein level
• Understanding the pathomechanisms
• Treatment strategies for respiratory allergies

Allergy Research

Since 1 August 2020, five interdisciplinary research areas have replaced existing research fields.