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Third-party-funded project

Title:
Mechanisms of antigen-specific therapy of EAN with oligomeric peptides

Project management at the University of Würzburg:

• Prof. Dr. med. Ralf Gold ,Tel: 201 23755,Fax: 201 23488,Mail: r.gold@mail.uni-wuerzburg.de

Participating scientists:

• Dr. rer. nat. Andreas Weishaupt
• Dr. med. Alexandra Herr

Abstract:
This project will focus on mechanisms of action of oligomeric peptide therapy in EAN, in particular induction of regulatory CD25+ T cells. After vaccination with oligomeric peptides regulatory T cells subsets will be further characterized in co-transfer experiments, in conjunction with costimulation by CD28/CTLA-4. Neuritogenic T cells will be tracked by using the GFP (green fluorescent protein) system. By cDNA microarray and quantitative PCR further molecular mechanisms will be assessed. Ultimately this project is meant to develop new therapeutic approaches for Guillain-Barré-syndrome.

Key words:
    T cells
    altered peptide ligands
    EAN

Projekt period: from 02.2002 to 01.2004

Funding institution:
Sonstige Stiftung ( Gemeinnützige Hertie-Stiftung (GHS) ) ,Granting date: 12.02.2002

Publications:

• Weishaupt*, R. Gold* , T. Hartung, S. Gaupp, A. Wendel, W. Brück, K.V. Toyka. (2000). Pivotal role of TNF-a in antigen-induced apoptosis in EAN. JOURNAL OF NEUROPATHOLOGY AND EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY, 5,533. (scientific article)
• A. Weishaupt*, S. Jander* , W. Brück, M. Stienekemeier, T. Hartung, K.V. Toyka, G. Stoll, R. Gold. (2000). Molecular mechanisms of high-dose antigen therapy in EAE: rapid induction of Th1 type cytokines and NOS. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, 7,065. (scientific article)
• A. Weishaupt , W. Brück, T. Hartung, K.V. Toyka, R. Gold. (2001). Schwann cell apoptosis in experimental autoimmune neuritis and the functional role of TNF-a.. NEUROSCIENCE LETTERS, 2,021. (scientific article)
• A. Weishaupt, L. Schönrock, M. Stienekemeier, K.V. Toyka, R. Gold. (2001). Glucocorticosteroids modulate antigen-induced T cell apoptosis in experimental autoimmune neuritis and cause T cell proliferation in situ. ACTA NEUROPATHOLOGICA, 2,165. (scientific article)
• A. Weishaupt, T. Kuhlmann, L.M. Schönrock, K.V. Toyka, W. Brück, R. Gold. (2002). Effects of intravenous immunoglobulins on T-cell and oligodendrocyte apoptosis in high-dose antigen therapy in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. ACTA NEUROPATHOLOGICA, 2,165. (scientific article)
• M. Stienekemeier, O. Rötzschke, K. Falk, A. Weishaupt, C. Schneider, K.V. Toyka, R. Gold, and J.L. Strominger. (2001). Vaccination, prevention and treatment of EAN by an oligomerized T cell epitope. (Sonstiges)