Sina Mollérus
Dipl. Biologist, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 2009
Modulation of immune cell function in Friend retrovirus infected mice by endogenous catecholamines
In response to viral infection, activation of both innate and adaptive immunity is required to limit the initial spread of the virus and to ultimately terminate viral replication. However, the immune system is not an autonomous system but is functionally integrated with the nervous and endocrine systems. During the course of an infection, activated immune cells produce a variety of mediators (e.g. cytokines) that induce via afferent pathways the activation of the brain. In turn, neurotransmitters and hormones produced by the neuroendocrine system modulate the activity of immune cells that express receptors for these molecules. For instance, receptors for the catecholamines dopamine, adrenaline, and noradrenaline have been identified on many leukocyte subpopulations and recent studies have shown that certain types of immune cells even possess the intracellular machinery for the synthesis and degradation of catecholamines. The aim of this project is to investigate the local and the systemic effects of endogenous catecholamines on the immune response and disease course in Friend retrovirus (F-MuLV)-infected mice. 1st supervisor: Dr. Harald Engler Institute: Telephone: +49 (0)201 - 723 - 4506 |