Cell Biology of Inflammation

A hallmark of multicellular organisms is the formation of cellular barriers that compartmentalize spaces and functions. Inflammation is a primary response to infection, stress and injury in the innate immune defense. Pathological and chronic inflammation leads to diseases such as atherosclerosis, multiple sclerosis and various eye diseases. Long-term inflammatory responses are orchestrated by the secretion of soluble factors. Among these, the pro inflammatory cytokine TNF is central to inflammation and facilitates the recruitment of immune cells to damaged tissue areas by disrupting cellular barriers. In our laboratory we investigate the inflammatory response of vascular endothelial and corneal endothelial barriers. We propose two Master projects. One project will investigate the effect of TNF on primary human endothelial cells by combining state-of-the art biochemical and cell biology experimental approaches and with special interest on the TNF-mediated remodeling of vascular cadherin. The other will investigate the effect of TNF in the circulatory system on the corneal endothelial barrier. This tissue is essential to maintain corneal transparency but is not vascularized.