Signaling mechanisms regulating anti-tumor immunity and viral pathogenesis
Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) regulate fundamental cellular processes and are highly activated in human cancers. They are therefore the target of various cancer therapeutics. However, effective killing of cancer cells also requires an efficient immune response against the cancer. In this proposal, we aim to investigate the role of oncogenic MAPKs and their inhibitors in immune cell maturation and adaptive immune responses. We will then expand our studies to also analyze the effect of MAPK inhibitors in infections caused by RNA viruses e.g. chronic hepatitis C (HCV), hepatitis D (HDV), and pandemic covid-19 (SARS-CoV-2).
Principal Investigators:
Prof. Dr. Krishnaraj Rajalingam & Prof. Dr. Sandra Ciesek
(Photos: Universitätsmedizin Mainz/Goethe-Universität Frankfurt)