Calcium and calciprotein particle-mediated differentiation of monocytes into calcium macrophages.
Calcium and calciprotein particles (CPPs) can initiate the differentiation of monocytes into calcium macrophages without the addition of additional growth factors. We are investigating the mechanisms leading to this differentiation and the role calcium macrophages play in various diseases.
Calcium and calciprotein particle-mediated activation of the Nlrp3 inflammasome.
We are investigating the mechanisms and pro-inflammatory consequences of monocyte activation by calcium and calciprotein particles (CPPs) in rheumatic diseases, obesity and cardiovascular diseases. The aim is to better understand the activation of the Nlrp3 inflammasome in this context and to identify important switches to therapeutically influence this process.
Immunometabolic studies in monocytes.
Monocytes respond to bacterial stimuli by reprogramming their metabolism. Disease-associated, but also due to environmental pollutants, this reprogramming can alter and influence the functions of monocytes. The aim is to identify and understand such alterations in order to be able to intervene therapeutically or, in the case of environmental pollutants, to avoid exposure.
Monocyte subpopulations
Monocytes are not a homogeneous cell population, there are several subpopulations in the peripheral blood. Besides the classical monocytes, there are the intermediate and the non-classical monocytes, and within the classical monocytes one can also find the CD56+ monocyte subpopulation. These subpopulations are strongly influenced by disease, aging, and environmental factors. The goal is to identify such changes in the subpopulations and to elucidate the functional consequences of these changes.