Project Area C04

Adoptive transfer of regulatory T cells (Treg) has successfully been used for blockade of experimental colitis in vivo, but their usage for treatment of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) remains poorly studied. Gut homing and effects on the gut epithelium of these Treg are detrimental to suppress gut-specific inflammation. In this project, we will further […]

Project Area C03

A clinical phase-III-study was designed to test tDCS (transcranial direct current stimulation) on its analgesic effects in IBD-patients with chronic abdominal pain. fMRI scans will be performed in these patients in order to investigate changes in the central nervous system. Based on preliminary data we propose a brain – gut interaction. This will be evaluated […]

Project Area C02

We will test clinically approved antibodies targeting cytokine signaling or integrin-based homing of immune cells in the gut for their potential to allow endoscopic molecular in vivo imaging in ulcerative colitis patients. The GMP conform fluorescent antibodies will be applied to the inflamed mucosa of ulcerative colitis patients during endoscopic confocal laser endomicroscopy to decipher […]

Project Area C01

Advanced label-free optical technologies such as multiphoton microscopy and Raman spectroscopy hold great potential for a characterization of mucosal inflammation in vivo. Using these approaches, we will evaluate optical properties of epithelial barrier function and dysfunction as well as consequences of epithelial barrier defects including immune cell infiltration and bacterial translocation in preclinical colitis models […]