Prof. Dr. Karin Loser
NO POSITIONS VIA CiM-IMPRS IN 2021
Skin-sensing of the environment – impact of external factors on the lipidome, microbiome and on immune cell communication as well as neuroimmune interplay
Cell Biology / Molecular Biology
Immunology
Neuroimmunology
We are concentrating on characterizing the regulation of innate and adaptive immune responses, the communication of immune cells in different organs, and the interaction of immune cells with epithelial or neuronal cells in autoimmunity, sterile inflammation or infections. We are convinced that better understanding the mechanisms underlying the control of cell activation, cell migration, cell-cell communication, as well as the inhibition of these processes, might not only help to elucidate pathomechanisms of (systemic) diseases but might also be the basis for the development of innovative therapeutic strategies. However, since the regulation of the immune system is not only mediated by organs, tissues or cells of the body, but can be controlled by external stimuli like environmental and lifestyle factors or the organ-specific microbiome as well, our research includes analyses on the interaction between the environment and the organism. In this context, we are interested in signaling pathways that mediate the transformation of external stimuli into immune responses.
In this project, we focus on atopic dermatitis (AD) and intend to better understand the impact of alterations in the microbiome, metabolome or the altered lipid composition in the skin on immune cells and their communication with the peripheral nervous system. For this purpose, we will use an established mouse model for AD and work with human cells and skin organ cultures from individuals with AD.
Vita
- 1989-1994: Studies in Biology, University of Münster
- 1994: Diploma in Biology
- 1994-1998: Resident, Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Münster
- 1998: PhD, University of Münster
- 1998-1999: Laboratory supervisor, BioCare-Biotechnology, Leipzig
- 1999-2001: Postdoctoral fellow, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Münster
- 2001-2007: Senior research fellow, Department of Dermatology, University of Münster
- 2007: Postdoctoral lecture qualification (Habilitation) in Immunology, University of Münster
- 2008-2011: Group leader “Regulation of Cutaneous Immune Responses” and assistant professor of immunology, Department of Dermatology, University of Münster
- 2012: Head of the division “Experimental Dermatology and Immunobiology of the Skin” and associate professor of immunology, University of Münster
Selected references
Mykicki N, Herrmann AM, Schwab N, Deenen R, Sparwasser T, Limmer A, Wachsmuth L, Klotz L, Köhrer K, Faber C, Wiendl H, Luger TA, Meuth SG, Loser K (2016) Melanocortin-1 receptor activation is neuroprotective in mouse models of neuroinflammatory disease. Sci Transl Med 8:362ra146.
Klenner L, Hafezi W, Clausen BE, Lorentzen EU, Luger TA, Beissert S, Kühn JE, Loser K (2015) Cutaneous RANK-RANKL Signaling Upregulates CD8-Mediated Antiviral Immunity during Herpes simplex Virus Infection by Preventing Virus-Induced Langerhans Cell Apoptosis. J Invest Dermatol 135:2676-87.
Breuer J, Schwab N, Schneider-Hohendorf T, Marziniak M, Mohan H, Bhatia U, Gross CC, Clausen BE, Weishaupt C, Luger TA, Meuth SG, Loser K*, Wiendl H* (2014) Ultraviolet B light attenuates the systemic immune response in central nervous system autoimmunity. Ann Neurol 75:739-58. *shared last authors.
Chen Z, Barbi J, Bu S, Yang HY, Li Z, Gao Y, Jinasena D, Fu J, Lin F, Chen C, Zhang J, Yu N, Li X, Shan Z, Nie J, Gao Z, Tian H, Li Y, Yao Z, Zheng Y, Park BV, Pan Z, Zhang J, Dang E, Li Z, Wang H, Luo W, Li L, Semenza GL, Zheng SG, Loser K, Tsun A, Greene MI, Pardoll DM, Pan F, Li B (2013). The ubiquitin ligase Stub1 negatively modulates regulatory T cell suppressive activity by promoting degradation of the transcription factor Foxp3. Immunity 39:272-285.
Loser K, Vogl T, Voskort M, Lueken A, Kupas V, Nacken W, Klenner L, Kuhn A, Foell D, Sorokin L, Luger TA, Roth J, Beissert S (2010). The Toll-like receptor 4 ligands Mrp8 and Mrp14 are crucial in the development of autoreactive CD8+ T cells. Nat Med 16:713-717.