Institute of Immunology

Research topic

Understanding the function and ontogeny of dendritic cells
Defense against infectious microbes, Defense against tumors, vaccination, adjuvant research

The focus of our laboratory is to investigate the role and function of dendritic cell subtypes in triggering T cell responses even under inflammatory, tolerogenic or even immunosuppressive conditions.
Part of our current research focuses on investigating how the function, ontogeny and cell population composition of dendritic cells and other immune cells changes during aging. This is particularly relevant as the different cell populations of dendritic cells have different functions in the defence against infection but also in the control of tumors. In the future, we want to investigate changes on epigenetic and transcriptional level as well as changes on the protein level under homeostatic conditions but also under the influence of factors such as infections, chronic diseases or tumor development.

Methods

Multiparameter flow cytometry (FACS)
Multiparameter cell sorting (FACS sorting)
Multiparameter confocal microscopy
Multiparameter CyTOF mass spectrometry
(sc)RNAseq, scATACseq analyses
10x genomics
T-cell assays, coculture assays
Isolation of cells from murine and human tissues
Real-time PCR
Protein analyses
Antibody production
Cloning

Selected Publications

Amon L, Seichter A, Vurnek D, Heger L, Lächele L, Tochoedo NR, Kaszubowski T, Hatscher L, Baranska A, Tchitashvili G, Nimmerjahn F, Lehmann CHK, Dudziak D. (2024) Clec12A, CD301b, and FcγRIIB/III define the heterogeneity of murine DC2s and DC3s.External link Cell Rep, 43(3):113949

Hatscher L, Lehmann CHK, Purbojo A, Onderka C, Liang C, Hartmann A, Cesnjevar R, Bruns H, Gross O, Nimmerjahn F, Ivanovic-Burmazovic I, Kunz M, Heger L, Dudziak D. (2021) Select hyperactivating NLRP3 ligands enhance the TH1- and TH17-inducing potential of human type 2 conventional dendritic cellsExternal link. Sci Signal, 14(680):eabe1757

Papaioannou NE, Salei N, Rambichler S, Ravi K, Popovic J, Küntzel V, Lehmann CHK, Fiancette R, Salvermoser J, Gajdasik DW, Mettler R, Messerer D, Carrelha J, Ohnmacht C, Haller D, Stumm R, Straub T, Jacobsen SEW, Schulz C, Withers DR, Schotta G, Dudziak D, Schraml BU. (2021) Environmental signals rather than layered ontogeny imprint the function of type 2 conventional dendritic cells in young and adult mice.External link Nat Commun, 12(1):464

Heidkamp GF, Sander J, Lehmann CHK, Heger L, Eissing N, Baranska A, Lühr JJ, Hoffmann A, Reimer KC, Lux A, Söder S, Hartmann A, Zenk J, Ulas T, McGovern N, Alexiou C, Spriewald B, Mackensen A, Schuler G, Schauf B, Forster A, Repp R, Fasching PA, Purbojo A, Cesnjevar R, Ullrich E, Ginhoux F, Schlitzer A, Nimmerjahn F, Schultze JL, Dudziak D. (2016) Human lymphoid organ dendritic cell identity is predominantly dictated by ontogeny, not tissue microenvironment.External link Sci Immunol, 1(6):eaai7677

Dudziak D, Kamphorst AO, Heidkamp GF, Buchholz VR, Trumpfheller C, Yamazaki S, Cheong C, Liu K, Lee HW, Park CG, Steinman RM, Nussenzweig MC. (2007) Differential antigen processing by dendritic cell subsets in vivoExternal link. Science, 315(5808):107-11