Decoding Treg-Based Immune-Metabolic Crosstalk to Guide Precision Immune Modulation
Explore our Research
Metabolic diseases such as diabetes and obesity are among today’s most pressing global health challenges, often leading to severe complications including immune dysfunction and increased risk of associated diseases. Our research at the Institute for Metabolism and Immunology (IMI) addresses these challenges by investigating how the immune system shapes metabolic tissue function in health and disease. We focus on translating mechanistic insights into potential interventions that could prevent or treat metabolic disorders.
Metabolic diseases such as diabetes and obesity are among today’s most pressing global health challenges, often leading to severe complications including immune dysfunction and increased risk of associated diseases. Our research at the Institute for Metabolism and Immunology (IMI) addresses these challenges by investigating how the immune system shapes metabolic tissue function in health and disease. We focus on translating mechanistic insights into potential interventions that could prevent or treat metabolic disorders.
Regulatory T cells:
Guardians of Immune Homeostasis
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are key mediators of peripheral immune tolerance and essential for maintaining immune homeostasis. Consequently, Treg deficiencies contribute to the development and progression of autoimmune and metabolic diseases. By characterizing Treg responses in human patients and preclinical models, we have identified critical Treg impairments that drive development and progression of autoimmunity. Our work investigates Treg stability, plasticity, and functional specialization, uncovering molecular mechanisms, including microRNA-mediated regulation, that influence Treg function and offer avenues for therapeutic targeting.
Treg Paradigm Shift:
Orchestrating Immune-Metabolic Crosstalk
Beyond their classical immune-regulatory functions, Tregs have emerged as key regulators of metabolic tissue function, integrity and regeneration. Tissue-resident Tregs in muscle, adipose tissue, pancreas, and the brain integrate local metabolic cues with immune signals to coordinate tissue adaptation during health and disease. Our work explores how environmental signals, and physiological stimuli such as immunological and metabolic stressors shape Treg specialization within distinct tissue niches. By dissecting these context-dependent Treg programs, we aim to understand how immune regulation and metabolic control intersect, and how this knowledge can be leveraged for targeted and personalized immune modulation strategies for metabolic and autoimmune diseases.
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