Tatjana Eigenbrod, M.D.
e-mail address: tatjanae@umich.edu

Mentor: Gabriel Nunez, M.D.

Techniques Used:
cell culture (BMDM, DC, mesothelial cells), ELISA, Western Blot, FACS, peritoneal lavage

Research Description:

We investigate how necrotic cell death activates the innate immune system. We are interested in:

•  which factors released from dying cells are triggering the innate immune response and

•  which pathways and receptors are involved in the recognition of cell necrosis

Publications:

Franchi L, Eigenbrod T , Muñoz-Planillo R, Nuñez G (2009) The inflammasome: a caspase-1-activation platform that regulates immune responses and disease pathogenesis. Nat Immunol. 2009;10(3):241-7.

Eigenbrod T , Park JH, Harder J, Iwakura Y, Núñez G (2008) Cutting edge: critical role for mesothelial cells in necrosis-induced inflammation through the recognition of IL-1 alpha released from dying cells. J Immunol. 2008;181(12):8194-8.

Finotto S*, Eigenbrod T* , Karwot R, Boross I, Doganci A, Ito H, Nishimoto N, Yoshizaki K, Kishimoto T, Rose-John S, Galle PR, Neurath MF (2007) Local blockade of IL-6R signaling induces lung CD4+ T cell apoptosis in a murine model of asthma via regulatory T cells. Int Immunol. 2007;19(6):685-93.

Eigenbrod T , Kullmann F, Klebl F (2006) Resection of small bowel adenocarcinoma liver metastasis combined with neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy results in extended disease-free period-a case report. Int J Gastrointest Cancer. 2006;37(2-3):94-7.

Doganci A, Eigenbrod T , Krug N, De Sanctis GT, Hausding M, Erpenbeck VJ, Haddad el-B, Lehr HA, Schmitt E, Bopp T, Kallen KJ, Herz U, Schmitt S, Luft C, Hecht O, Hohlfeld JM, Ito H, Nishimoto N, Yoshizaki K, Kishimoto T, Rose-John S, Renz H, Neurath MF, Galle PR, Finotto S (2005) The IL-6R alpha chain controls lung CD4+CD25+ Treg development and function during allergic airway inflammation in vivo. J Clin Invest. 2005;115(2):313-25.

Honors and Awards:

2001: Doctoral scholarship from the University of Mainz, Germany

2006: Research fellowship from the Jung-Stiftung fuer Wissenschaft und Forschung, Germany

2007: Research fellowship from the DFG (German Research Foundation)