PI: Johannes Fessler
Focus: The research unit "Aging & Metabolism in Autoimmunity" focuses on the influence of aging, nutrition and metabolism and their interplay on the immune system. Special attention is given to the regulation of autoreactive T cells. T cells from patients with autoimmune diseases suffer from premature aging and often exhibit altered cellular metabolism. Both can lead to an increased pro-inflammatory immune response and consequently to chronic, tissue-damaging inflammation. Our group investigates possible connections and their underlying mechanisms of aging and immune metabolism for the regulation of immune responses in the context of autoimmune diseases.
Network: We conduct cross-team research at the Otto Loewi Research Center with the teams of Herbert Strobl, Sandra Holasek and Stefano Angiari. In addition, we are closely linked to the Clinical Departments of Rheumatology and Immunology (Martin Stradner), Nephrology (Kathrin Eller), Pediatric Hemato-Oncology (Wolfgang Schwinger) and Neurology (Michael Khalil). Metabolic studies are performed in collaboration with the Gottfried Schatz Center. We also collaborate with other groups in Austria and internationally (Harvard Medical School, University of Toronto and University of Dijon).
