University of Tübingen
Prof. Falko Fend,
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| Research Interest |
Prof. Falko Fend is head of the Department of Pathology and has a long track record in lymphoma research, molecular pathology and as a diagnostic hematopathologist. Prof. Quintanilla-Martinez de Fend, senior staff member and group leader, is a renowned hematopathologist with a long track record in lymphoma research and is an active leading member of international societies and groups in the field. Our research interests include the pathobiology of ALCL, genetics of early stages of lymphoma and the advancement of molecular diagnostics in hematopathology. |
Ivonne Aidee Montes-Mojarro
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| Research Interest | I obtained my Medical Degree from Universidad de Guadalajara, (2004-2010). After finishing a Master’s degree in Immunology at “Instituto Politécnico Nacional” (2010- 2012), I became a resident in Anatomic Pathology at The American British Cowdray Medical Center affiliated with “Universidad Autónoma de México”, both in Mexico City. During my training, I have been interested in the diagnosis of hematological malignancies. Pathology is one of the fields in science where you can get excited when you look out under the microscope light. Also you can amaze yourself when you try to solve the disease paradigm. |
The transcription factor CCAA/enhancer binding protein beta (C/EBP β) is specifically overexpressed as a consequence of NPM-ALK kinase activity and plays an important role in ALK-mediated oncogenesis. We identified several C/EBP β -regulated miRNAs including miR-181, a regulator of multiple phosphatases (SHP2, DUSP5 and PTPN22), which negatively regulate certain steps of the TCR signalling cascade.
To investigate the role of miR-181 a for T-cell receptor signalling we aim to: Perform functional studies transfecting miR-181, a to analyse the regulation of TCR-related phosphatases on mRNA and protein levels in cell lines; study the expression of SHP2, DUSP6, DUSP5 and PTPN22 in primary ALK+ and ALK-ALCL; investigate additional CEBP β – regulated miRNAS such as miR-146a, miR-26a, miR-29c with less known functions through in silico transcriptome analysis to identify potential downstream targets.
Expected Results:
Elucidate the biological role of the transcription factor C/EBP β for the well known dampening of TCR signalling in ALCL by regulating miRNAs controlling the TCR signalling cascade; define the clinical relevance of these C/EBP β dependent miRNAs.
Planned secondment(s):
Year 1: SOFIGEN (PO#10) – miRNA arrays and analysis – 1 month;
Year 2: UVM (B#14) – Immunohistochemical analysis of protein expression ALCL tissue arrays – 1 month;