In this Focus Group, Hans Fischer Senior Fellow Prof. Klaus H. Kästner (University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine) collaborated withProf. Matthias Tschöp and Dr. Carolin Daniel (Institute for Diabetes and Obesity, Helmholtz Zentrum München) on miRNA-mediated control of T-cell activation in obesity.
Understanding the complex pathology of the metabolic syndrome and the contribution of inflammation are critical to shaping effective preventive and therapeutic measures for obesity and Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Moreover, there is an increasing realization that obesity affects the immune system, promoting inflammation, and potentially leading to a variety of chronic conditions and diseases. Our understanding of the role of individual microRNAs for immune activation vs. regulation is in its infancy, especially in the context of inflammatory states such as obesity and T2DM. We know even less about the critical downstream targets of microRNAs that impact T-cell activation, and thereby impinge on the complex immunological interplay triggering inflammation. Through this project, we will therefore integrate insights in T-cell biology and function with key expertise in metabolism and miRNA-function in T2DM and obesity.
Studies were underway by Verena Ott, PhD. candidate (Daniel lab) in collaboration with Dr. Adam Zahm (Kaestner lab), to identify relevant downstream targets of microRNAs expressed in T-cells. These studies promise to open the path for the development of novel precision medicines synergistically targeting metabolism, immune activation, and inflammation to treat obesity and T2DM.
