B09: Elucidating microbiota-dependent and independent functions of inflammasome-mediated innate immunity
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary malignant liver tumour and strongly driven by environmental factors. Project B09 dissects the microbiota-dependent and independent functions of inflammasome-mediated immunity during HCC development. Our experiments will reveal novel strategies to harness intestinal microbiota and inflammasome signalling for future HCC therapy and prevention.
We will focus on three major aims:
AIM 1: Characterise the impact of inflammasome signalling and its downstream targets on hepatic tumour microenvironment ans intestinal tissue during tumour development.
AIM 2: Dissect the microbiota-dependent and -independent functions of the inflammasome sensor molecule NLRP6.
AIM 3: Investigate how microbiota-dependent portal venous metabolites control T cell activation and tumourigenesis
We are confident that our working programme will reveal novel stretegies to harness intestinal microbiota and inflammasome signalling for future HCC therapy and prevention.