Project A05
Regulation of Treg cell subsets and function by the atypical IκB protein Bcl-3
Background
Within the intestinal tract, specialized Treg cell subsets are essential to maintain tolerance towards the intestinal microbiota and to prevent inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in Treg cell biology at mucosal surfaces is thus important. Interestingly, members of the NF-κB family, including atypical NF-κB molecules, are involved in Treg cell development, maintenance, and function.
We hypothesize that the atypical NF-κB member Bcl-3 is important for the development and function of Treg cells in the steady-state and during infection and intestinal inflammation.
Strategy
We genetically modulate Bcl-3 expression specifically in Treg cells and assess Treg cell heterogeneity and subset distribution across different tissues under homeostatic conditions. We further aim at dissecting the regulation and interconnection of signaling pathways affected by Bcl-3 and we will eventually address whether the effect of Bcl-3 is preserved under inflammatory conditions using mouse models for infection and colitis.