Treg cells in the chronically inflamed CNS (B07)

我们的初步数据表明，在实验性自身免疫性脑脊髓炎(EAE)高峰期之后，Treg细胞长期驻留在中枢神经系统。然而，它们的生物学生态位和功能仍然知之甚少。在这个项目中，我们将对慢性EAE患者的CNS驻留的Treg细胞进行转录和TCR谱系分析：1)群体水平和2)单细胞水平。使用体内种源图谱系统，我们将进一步评估它们的异质性以及它们与外周Treg细胞的关系。最后，我们将通过基因编辑的方法选择性地原位靶向CNS Treg细胞的特异性基因，以检验它们与CNS Treg细胞的维持和功能的相关性。

Our preliminary data indicate that Treg cells reside long-term in the CNS following the peak of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). However, their biological niche and function are still poorly understood. Within this project, we will perform transcriptional and TCR repertoire profiling of CNS-resident Treg cells in chronic EAE 1) on the population and 2) single-cell level. Using an in vivo provenance-mapping system, we will further assess their heterogeneity and their relationship with peripheral Treg cells. Finally, 3) we will selectively target CNS Treg cell specific genes in situ by gene editing approaches in order to test their relevance for the maintenance and function of CNS Treg cells.