{"id":3511,"date":"2025-01-21T14:35:06","date_gmt":"2025-01-21T14:35:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/?post_type=working-group&#038;p=3511"},"modified":"2025-09-10T09:33:39","modified_gmt":"2025-09-10T09:33:39","slug":"immun-epigenetik","status":"publish","type":"working-group","link":"https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/en\/arbeitsgruppen\/immun-epigenetik\/","title":{"rendered":"Immuno-Epigenetics"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AG-Polansky-Research-Overview-ws-2.svg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-19669\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n  <section id=\"our-research\"\n           class=\"section accordion  alignwide  toc-item\"\n           data-open=\"multiple\">\n    <div class=\"container container--center container--medium\">\n              <h2 class=\"h3 section__heading launimation slideBottom\">Our Research<\/h2>\n      \n      \n      \n              <div id=\"panel-\"\n             class=\"accordion__category active\" role=\"tabpanel\"\n             aria-labelledby=\"tab-\">\n                    <script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n            {\n              \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n              \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n              \"mainEntity\": [{\"@type\": \"Question\",\"name\": \"Epigenetic editing: targeted cell phenotype switching & understanding (epi-)genomic regulatory elements\",\"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\",\"text\": \"Epigenetic modifications on regulatory elements in the genome control which genes are currently expressed, which genes will be expressed in response to signals, and which are stably silenced. Thus, they act as molecular switches, deciding whether genes are turned \u201con\u201d or \u201coff\u201d. While such regulatory elements can be identified based on evolutionary DNA sequence conservation and differential epigenetic states, elucidating the functional contribution of individual epigenetic marks to gene expression control remains challenging and often limited to correlative observations.\nTo address this challenge, we established CRISPR\/Cas-based epigenetic editing methods, with which we are able to selectively modify epigenetic marks at specific genomic loci. With this, we can assess the functional role of the targeted epigenetic mark on a selected regulatory element in the native chromatin surroundings of a living cell.\nBeyond fundamental research, epigenetic editing holds immense promise for therapeutic applications, such as during adoptive T cell therapy which is currently also tested for application in rheumatic diseases. Here, epigenetic editing can be used to equip therapeutic T cell products with desired qualities, such as migration properties, resilience against inhibitory checkpoint molecules or pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory functions as required.\"}},{\"@type\": \"Question\",\"name\": \"From stem cells to new immunotherapies\",\"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\",\"text\": \"T cells are a highly specialized immune cell subset which are central to the body\u2019s adaptive immune response. Currently their use in adoptive T cell therapy \u2013 a form of personalized immunotherapy \u2013 to target diseases from cancer to autoimmunity and including rheumatic diseases is intensively investigated worldwide. However, a major limitation is the availability of these T cell products in adequate numbers.\nThus, we investigate the possibilities to generate different T cell populations in the lab (=in vitro) from a replenishing source of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). We work with state-of-the-art techniques to mimic the development of immune cells in the human body and compare our in vitro generated T cell progenitors to their counterparts in the human body on a phenotypical and epigenetic level.\"}},{\"@type\": \"Question\",\"name\": \"Epigenomic imprinting of cellular identities during proliferation episodes\",\"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\",\"text\": \"Memory T cells differentiate from antigen-experienced T lymphocytes and persist long-term, conferring immunological protection by orchestrating a rapid and robust response upon re-exposure to previously encountered pathogens. Due to their antigen specificity, T cells must undergo extensive clonal expansion to generate a sufficient number of effector cells for effective pathogen elimination. As long-lived immune cells, memory T cells must safeguard their functional identity despite repeated proliferative cycles. This immunological identity is governed by the epigenome, a complex network of chemical modifications that regulate chromatin structure and gene expression. Among these, DNA methylation and histone modifications are the best-studied epigenetic marks, controlling chromatin accessibility and thereby shaping the cell type-specific transcriptional landscape. The preservation of epigenetic integrity is paramount to sustaining the stability and effector potential of memory T cells, allowing them to mediate durable immune surveillance for decades.\nEmerging evidence indicates that under conditions that promote proliferation, such as inflammatory microenvironments, T cells may encounter challenges in preserving their cellular identity, potentially resulting in functional alterations. This phenomenon is not restricted to pathological contexts but is also of significant concern in therapeutic cell manufacturing, where extensive in vitro expansion is required. Prolonged in vitro culture has been associated with epigenetic and transcriptional changes, potentially compromising the stability, potency, and therapeutic efficacy of these cellular products.\nDNA methylation maintenance in heterochromatin is imperfect during proliferative episodes, leading to progressive hypomethylation of normally highly methylated regions. This suggests that excessive cell division challenges epigenetic stability. One key aspect of our research is the study of proliferation-associated epigenetic changes and their functional impact on T cells. By unravelling these mechanisms, we aim to understand how proliferation shapes T cell identity and function in both health and disease and make use of the insights gained for the improvement of cell therapy approaches for rheumatic diseases.\"}},{\"@type\": \"Question\",\"name\": \"Improving the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stromal cells through epigenetic modulation\",\"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\",\"text\": \"Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) hold great promise for cell-based therapies due to their multipotent differentiation capacity, immunomodulatory functions, and accessibility from various tissue sources. Their versatility makes them an interesting cell type for research, with a prospect of potential therapies for inflammatory disorders and enhancing tissue regeneration, including cartilage regeneration in osteoarthritis.\nThis project focuses on translating our insights on epigenomic stability and modulation, gained through our research on lymphocytes, to a new cell type, MSCs, with the goal of further improving their therapeutic utility.\nFor this, we aim to better understand epigenetic regulatory mechanisms and patterns throughout cell differentiation of MSCs using in-depth comparative epigenomic profiling to identify critical regulatory sites that primarily drive the transcriptomic program during differentiation. Ultimately, our goal is to leverage our epigenetic editing approach to precisely activate regulatory elements, and with this, steer cellular fates in a targeted manner, with a particular focus on the in vitro differentiation capacity of MSCs into cartilage-like tissue.\nIn addition, we aim to counteract progressive DNA methylation changes observed during in vitro cell expansion, as these may impact the fitness and functionality of cell products.\"}},{\"@type\": \"Question\",\"name\": \"The role of ER\u03b2 signaling in T cells in autoimmunity\",\"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\",\"text\": \"CD4+ T helper (Th) cells can contribute to the development of autoimmunity by orchestrating an inflammatory response to the body. Th17 cells are a pro-inflammatory subset of CD4+ Th cells that contribute to many autoimmune diseases, including Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The Estrogen receptor ER\u03b2 is expressed in Th17 cells of people of all sexes, but its expression is decreased in the immune cells of many SLE patients. Our goal is to understand how ER\u03b2 plays a role in healthy Th17 cells, and how its loss might contribute to SLE.\"}}]\n            }\n          <\/script>\n\n          <div class=\"accordion__content\">\n                          <div class=\"accordion-item accordion-item--has-image box box--accordion over launimation slideBottom\">\n                <button class=\"accordion-item__title\"\n                        aria-expanded=\"false\"\n                        aria-controls=\"accordion_69df3fd1c563c_0\"\n                        aria-label=\"Zeige den Inhalt an\">\n                    <span class=\"accordion-item__title-wrapper\">\n                      <span class=\"accordion-item__title-main h5\">Epigenetic editing: targeted cell phenotype switching &amp; understanding (epi-)genomic regulatory elements<\/span>\n                                          <\/span>\n                  <span class=\"icon-wrapper\"><\/span>\n                <\/button>\n\n                <div class=\"accordion-item__content-container\" id=\"accordion_69df3fd1c563c_0\">\n                  <div class=\"accordion-item__content\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 990px) calc(100vw - 2 * var(--container-padding-inline), 300px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/11-epigenetic-editing-150x100.png\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/11-epigenetic-editing.png\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/11-epigenetic-editing.png 1920w, https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/11-epigenetic-editing.png 1600w, https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/11-epigenetic-editing.png 1366w, https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/11-epigenetic-editing.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/11-epigenetic-editing.png 768w, https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/11-epigenetic-editing-550x367.png 550w\" class=\"accordion-item__image\" alt=\"\"  width=\"742\"  height=\"495\">\n                    <div class=\"accordion-item__content-text wysiwyg\">\n                      <p>Epigenetic modifications on regulatory elements in the genome control which genes are currently expressed, which genes will be expressed in response to signals, and which are stably silenced. Thus, they act as molecular switches, deciding whether genes are turned \u201con\u201d or \u201coff\u201d. While such regulatory elements can be identified based on evolutionary DNA sequence conservation and differential epigenetic states, elucidating the functional contribution of individual epigenetic marks to gene expression control remains challenging and often limited to correlative observations.<\/p>\n<p>To address this challenge, we established CRISPR\/Cas-based epigenetic editing methods, with which we are able to selectively modify epigenetic marks at specific genomic loci. With this, we can assess the functional role of the targeted epigenetic mark on a selected regulatory element in the native chromatin surroundings of a living cell.<\/p>\n<p>Beyond fundamental research, epigenetic editing holds immense promise for therapeutic applications, such as during adoptive T cell therapy which is currently also tested for application in rheumatic diseases. Here, epigenetic editing can be used to equip therapeutic T cell products with desired qualities, such as migration properties, resilience against inhibitory checkpoint molecules or pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory functions as required.<\/p>\n\n                      <a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1-epigenetic-editing.png\" class=\"accordion-item__button button button--arrow button--arrow-link circle\" title=\"enlarge image\" target=\"_self\"><span>enlarge image<\/span><\/a>                    <\/div>\n                  <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n              <\/div>\n                          <div class=\"accordion-item accordion-item--has-image box box--accordion over launimation slideBottom\">\n                <button class=\"accordion-item__title\"\n                        aria-expanded=\"false\"\n                        aria-controls=\"accordion_69df3fd1c563c_1\"\n                        aria-label=\"Zeige den Inhalt an\">\n                    <span class=\"accordion-item__title-wrapper\">\n                      <span class=\"accordion-item__title-main h5\">From stem cells to new immunotherapies<\/span>\n                                          <\/span>\n                  <span class=\"icon-wrapper\"><\/span>\n                <\/button>\n\n                <div class=\"accordion-item__content-container\" id=\"accordion_69df3fd1c563c_1\">\n                  <div class=\"accordion-item__content\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 990px) calc(100vw - 2 * var(--container-padding-inline), 300px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/22-from-stem-cells-to-new-imth-150x100.png\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/22-from-stem-cells-to-new-imth.png\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/22-from-stem-cells-to-new-imth.png 1920w, https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/22-from-stem-cells-to-new-imth.png 1600w, https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/22-from-stem-cells-to-new-imth.png 1366w, https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/22-from-stem-cells-to-new-imth.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/22-from-stem-cells-to-new-imth.png 768w, https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/22-from-stem-cells-to-new-imth-550x367.png 550w\" class=\"accordion-item__image\" alt=\"\"  width=\"742\"  height=\"495\">\n                    <div class=\"accordion-item__content-text wysiwyg\">\n                      <p>T cells are a highly specialized immune cell subset which are central to the body\u2019s adaptive immune response. Currently their use in adoptive T cell therapy \u2013 a form of personalized immunotherapy \u2013 to target diseases from cancer to autoimmunity and including rheumatic diseases is intensively investigated worldwide. However, a major limitation is the availability of these T cell products in adequate numbers.<\/p>\n<p>Thus, we investigate the possibilities to generate different T cell populations in the lab (=<em>in vitro<\/em>) from a replenishing source of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). We work with state-of-the-art techniques to mimic the development of immune cells in the human body and compare our <em>in vitro<\/em> generated T cell progenitors to their counterparts in the human body on a phenotypical and epigenetic level.<\/p>\n\n                      <a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2-from-stem-cells-to-new-imth.png\" class=\"accordion-item__button button button--arrow button--arrow-link circle\" title=\"enlarge image\" target=\"_self\"><span>enlarge image<\/span><\/a>                    <\/div>\n                  <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n              <\/div>\n                          <div class=\"accordion-item accordion-item--has-image box box--accordion over launimation slideBottom\">\n                <button class=\"accordion-item__title\"\n                        aria-expanded=\"false\"\n                        aria-controls=\"accordion_69df3fd1c563c_2\"\n                        aria-label=\"Zeige den Inhalt an\">\n                    <span class=\"accordion-item__title-wrapper\">\n                      <span class=\"accordion-item__title-main h5\">Epigenomic imprinting of cellular identities during proliferation episodes<\/span>\n                                          <\/span>\n                  <span class=\"icon-wrapper\"><\/span>\n                <\/button>\n\n                <div class=\"accordion-item__content-container\" id=\"accordion_69df3fd1c563c_2\">\n                  <div class=\"accordion-item__content\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 990px) calc(100vw - 2 * var(--container-padding-inline), 300px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/33-epigenomic-imprinting-150x100.png\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/33-epigenomic-imprinting.png\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/33-epigenomic-imprinting.png 1920w, https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/33-epigenomic-imprinting.png 1600w, https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/33-epigenomic-imprinting.png 1366w, https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/33-epigenomic-imprinting.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/33-epigenomic-imprinting.png 768w, https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/33-epigenomic-imprinting-550x367.png 550w\" class=\"accordion-item__image\" alt=\"\"  width=\"742\"  height=\"495\">\n                    <div class=\"accordion-item__content-text wysiwyg\">\n                      <p>Memory T cells differentiate from antigen-experienced T lymphocytes and persist long-term, conferring immunological protection by orchestrating a rapid and robust response upon re-exposure to previously encountered pathogens. Due to their antigen specificity, T cells must undergo extensive clonal expansion to generate a sufficient number of effector cells for effective pathogen elimination. As long-lived immune cells, memory T cells must safeguard their functional identity despite repeated proliferative cycles. This immunological identity is governed by the epigenome, a complex network of chemical modifications that regulate chromatin structure and gene expression. Among these, DNA methylation and histone modifications are the best-studied epigenetic marks, controlling chromatin accessibility and thereby shaping the cell type-specific transcriptional landscape. The preservation of epigenetic integrity is paramount to sustaining the stability and effector potential of memory T cells, allowing them to mediate durable immune surveillance for decades.<\/p>\n<p>Emerging evidence indicates that under conditions that promote proliferation, such as inflammatory microenvironments, T cells may encounter challenges in preserving their cellular identity, potentially resulting in functional alterations. This phenomenon is not restricted to pathological contexts but is also of significant concern in therapeutic cell manufacturing, where extensive in vitro expansion is required. Prolonged in vitro culture has been associated with epigenetic and transcriptional changes, potentially compromising the stability, potency, and therapeutic efficacy of these cellular products.<\/p>\n<p>DNA methylation maintenance in heterochromatin is imperfect during proliferative episodes, leading to progressive hypomethylation of normally highly methylated regions. This suggests that excessive cell division challenges epigenetic stability. One key aspect of our research is the study of proliferation-associated epigenetic changes and their functional impact on T cells. By unravelling these mechanisms, we aim to understand how proliferation shapes T cell identity and function in both health and disease and make use of the insights gained for the improvement of cell therapy approaches for rheumatic diseases.<\/p>\n\n                      <a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/3-epigenomic-imprinting.png\" class=\"accordion-item__button button button--arrow button--arrow-link circle\" title=\"enlarge image\" target=\"_self\"><span>enlarge image<\/span><\/a>                    <\/div>\n                  <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n              <\/div>\n                          <div class=\"accordion-item accordion-item--has-image box box--accordion over launimation slideBottom\">\n                <button class=\"accordion-item__title\"\n                        aria-expanded=\"false\"\n                        aria-controls=\"accordion_69df3fd1c563c_3\"\n                        aria-label=\"Zeige den Inhalt an\">\n                    <span class=\"accordion-item__title-wrapper\">\n                      <span class=\"accordion-item__title-main h5\">Improving the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stromal cells through epigenetic modulation<\/span>\n                                          <\/span>\n                  <span class=\"icon-wrapper\"><\/span>\n                <\/button>\n\n                <div class=\"accordion-item__content-container\" id=\"accordion_69df3fd1c563c_3\">\n                  <div class=\"accordion-item__content\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 990px) calc(100vw - 2 * var(--container-padding-inline), 300px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/44-improving-the-therapeutic-potential-of-msc-150x100.png\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/44-improving-the-therapeutic-potential-of-msc.png\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/44-improving-the-therapeutic-potential-of-msc.png 1920w, https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/44-improving-the-therapeutic-potential-of-msc.png 1600w, https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/44-improving-the-therapeutic-potential-of-msc.png 1366w, https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/44-improving-the-therapeutic-potential-of-msc.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/44-improving-the-therapeutic-potential-of-msc.png 768w, https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/44-improving-the-therapeutic-potential-of-msc-550x367.png 550w\" class=\"accordion-item__image\" alt=\"\"  width=\"742\"  height=\"495\">\n                    <div class=\"accordion-item__content-text wysiwyg\">\n                      <p>Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) hold great promise for cell-based therapies due to their multipotent differentiation capacity, immunomodulatory functions, and accessibility from various tissue sources. Their versatility makes them an interesting cell type for research, with a prospect of potential therapies for inflammatory disorders and enhancing tissue regeneration, including cartilage regeneration in osteoarthritis.<\/p>\n<p>This project focuses on translating our insights on epigenomic stability and modulation, gained through our research on lymphocytes, to a new cell type, MSCs, with the goal of further improving their therapeutic utility.<\/p>\n<p>For this, we aim to better understand epigenetic regulatory mechanisms and patterns throughout cell differentiation of MSCs using in-depth comparative epigenomic profiling to identify critical regulatory sites that primarily drive the transcriptomic program during differentiation. Ultimately, our goal is to leverage our epigenetic editing approach to precisely activate regulatory elements, and with this, steer cellular fates in a targeted manner, with a particular focus on the <em>in vitro<\/em> differentiation capacity of MSCs into cartilage-like tissue.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, we aim to counteract progressive DNA methylation changes observed during <em>in vitro<\/em> cell expansion, as these may impact the fitness and functionality of cell products.<\/p>\n\n                      <a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/4-improving-the-therapeutic-potential.png\" class=\"accordion-item__button button button--arrow button--arrow-link circle\" title=\"enlarge image\" target=\"_self\"><span>enlarge image<\/span><\/a>                    <\/div>\n                  <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n              <\/div>\n                          <div class=\"accordion-item accordion-item--has-image box box--accordion over launimation slideBottom\">\n                <button class=\"accordion-item__title\"\n                        aria-expanded=\"false\"\n                        aria-controls=\"accordion_69df3fd1c563c_4\"\n                        aria-label=\"Zeige den Inhalt an\">\n                    <span class=\"accordion-item__title-wrapper\">\n                      <span class=\"accordion-item__title-main h5\">The role of ER\u03b2 signaling in T cells in autoimmunity<\/span>\n                                          <\/span>\n                  <span class=\"icon-wrapper\"><\/span>\n                <\/button>\n\n                <div class=\"accordion-item__content-container\" id=\"accordion_69df3fd1c563c_4\">\n                  <div class=\"accordion-item__content\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 990px) calc(100vw - 2 * var(--container-padding-inline), 300px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/55-the-role-of-ER-beta-signaling-150x100.png\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/55-the-role-of-ER-beta-signaling.png\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/55-the-role-of-ER-beta-signaling.png 1920w, https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/55-the-role-of-ER-beta-signaling.png 1600w, https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/55-the-role-of-ER-beta-signaling.png 1366w, https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/55-the-role-of-ER-beta-signaling.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/55-the-role-of-ER-beta-signaling.png 768w, https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/55-the-role-of-ER-beta-signaling-550x367.png 550w\" class=\"accordion-item__image\" alt=\"Depiction of estrogen signaling\"  width=\"742\"  height=\"495\">\n                    <div class=\"accordion-item__content-text wysiwyg\">\n                      <p>CD4+ T helper (Th) cells can contribute to the development of autoimmunity by orchestrating an inflammatory response to the body. Th17 cells are a pro-inflammatory subset of CD4+ Th cells that contribute to many autoimmune diseases, including Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The Estrogen receptor ER\u03b2 is expressed in Th17 cells of people of all sexes, but its expression is decreased in the immune cells of many SLE patients. Our goal is to understand how ER\u03b2 plays a role in healthy Th17 cells, and how its loss might contribute to SLE.<\/p>\n\n                      <a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/5-the-role-of-ER-beta-signaling.png\" class=\"accordion-item__button button button--arrow button--arrow-link circle\" title=\"enlarge image\" target=\"_self\"><span>enlarge image<\/span><\/a>                    <\/div>\n                  <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n              <\/div>\n                      <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n  <\/section>\n\n\n\n\n  <section id=\"team\"\n           class=\"section accordion  alignwide  toc-item\"\n           data-open=\"multiple\">\n    <div class=\"container container--center container--medium\">\n              <h2 class=\"h3 section__heading launimation slideBottom\">Team<\/h2>\n      \n      \n      \n              <div id=\"panel-\"\n             class=\"accordion__category active\" role=\"tabpanel\"\n             aria-labelledby=\"tab-\">\n                    <script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n            {\n              \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n              \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n              \"mainEntity\": [{\"@type\": \"Question\",\"name\": \"Members\",\"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\",\"text\": \"Group leader\nJulia Polansky\nScientists\nChristopher Kressler\nMingxing Yang\nPhD students\nMarcel Finke\nFrederik Hamm\nDania Hamo\nRamonique Lim\nAlisier Malard\nCornelia Peitsch\nToros Ta\u015fg\u0131n\nTechnician\nShirley Lugo\nAnne H\u00f6rnig\nCoordination\nUlrich Salaschek\nAlumni\nCarla Castro, master\u2019s student\nHelga Fleischer-Notter, TA\nJudith Heib, master\u2019s student\nMarcos Cases, PhD student\nKristy Ou, Postdoc\nXiao He, Postdoc\"}}]\n            }\n          <\/script>\n\n          <div class=\"accordion__content\">\n                          <div class=\"accordion-item  box box--accordion over launimation slideBottom\">\n                <button class=\"accordion-item__title\"\n                        aria-expanded=\"false\"\n                        aria-controls=\"accordion_69df3fd1c8791_0\"\n                        aria-label=\"Zeige den Inhalt an\">\n                    <span class=\"accordion-item__title-wrapper\">\n                      <span class=\"accordion-item__title-main h5\">Members<\/span>\n                                          <\/span>\n                  <span class=\"icon-wrapper\"><\/span>\n                <\/button>\n\n                <div class=\"accordion-item__content-container\" id=\"accordion_69df3fd1c8791_0\">\n                  <div class=\"accordion-item__content\">\n                    \n                    <div class=\"accordion-item__content-text wysiwyg\">\n                      <p><strong>Group leader<\/strong><br \/>\nJulia Polansky<\/p>\n<p><strong>Scientists<\/strong><br \/>\nChristopher Kressler<br \/>\nMingxing Yang<\/p>\n<p><strong>PhD students<\/strong><br \/>\nMarcel Finke<br \/>\nFrederik Hamm<br \/>\nDania Hamo<br \/>\nRamonique Lim<br \/>\nAlisier Malard<br \/>\nCornelia Peitsch<br \/>\nToros Ta\u015fg\u0131n<\/p>\n<p><strong>Technician<\/strong><br \/>\nShirley Lugo<br \/>\nAnne H\u00f6rnig<\/p>\n<p><strong>Coordination<br \/>\n<\/strong>Ulrich Salaschek<\/p>\n<p><strong>Alumni<\/strong><br \/>\nCarla Castro, master\u2019s student<br \/>\nHelga Fleischer-Notter, TA<br \/>\nJudith Heib, master\u2019s student<br \/>\nMarcos Cases, PhD student<br \/>\nKristy Ou, Postdoc<br \/>\nXiao He, Postdoc<\/p>\n\n                                          <\/div>\n                  <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n              <\/div>\n                      <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n  <\/section>\n\n\n\n\n  <section id=\"third-party-funding\"\n           class=\"section related-projects alignwide related-projects--slider  toc-item\">\n    <div class=\"container container--center\">\n      <div class=\"related-projects__wrap\">\n                  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Epigenetic control of thymic CD4+ T lymphocyte development in humans &#8211; paving the way for new iPSC-derived T cell therapies. (EpiC4TT)        <\/a>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/article>              <\/div>\n                          <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n                <article\n  id=\"post-4124\" class=\"teaser-project box launimation slideBottom graded-box post-4124 project type-project status-publish hentry programme-area-tax-programme-area-1 programme-area-tax-programme-area-4 supporter-dfg-en working-group-tax-biophysical-analytics working-group-tax-developmental-and-mucosal-immunology working-group-tax-immune-dynamics working-group-tax-immuno-epigenetics working-group-tax-macrophage-biology-and-innate-cellular-networks-in-chronic-inflammatory-diseases\">\n  <div class=\"teaser-project__wrap\">\n          <div class=\"teaser-project__cats\">\n        \n<ul class=\"tag-pills tag-pills--small\" role=\"none\">\n      <li role=\"none\">\n      <span class=\"tag-pill\">\n        <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Kategorie: <\/span>\n        DFG      <\/span>\n    <\/li>\n  <\/ul>      <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"teaser-project__body\">\n      <div class=\"teaser-project__title h5\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/en\/forschungsprojekte\/dfg-crc-1444\/\" aria-describedby=\"post-4124\"\n          title=\"Gehe zum Beitrag\" rel=\"bookmark\">\n          DFG CRC 1444 &#8211; Directed Cellular Self-Organisation for Advancing Bone Regeneration        <\/a>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/article>              <\/div>\n            \n          <\/div><!-- swiper-wrapper -->\n\n                      <div class=\"slider__pagination slider__pagination--contained\">\n              <button class=\"slider__button-prev\"><\/button>\n              <button class=\"slider__button-next\"><\/button>\n            <\/div>\n          \n                      <div class=\"slider__skip-links-container\">\n              <a id=\"after-slider-block_4e986b461ad9a243fbcd71dd6b5bd646\"\n                 href=\"#before-slider-block_4e986b461ad9a243fbcd71dd6b5bd646\"\n       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DRFZ\/Charit\u00e9\",\"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\",\"text\": \"Mir-Farzin Mashreghi, DRFZ\nAhmed Hegazy, DRFZ\nTobias Alexander, DRFZ\nMichael Schm\u00fcck-Henneresse, BCRT, Charit\u00e9\nNina Babel, BCRT, Charit\u00e9\nSven Geissler, BCRT, Charit\u00e9\nDaniel Ibrahim, BCRT, Charit\u00e9\nHarald Stachelscheid, BIH, Charit\u00e9\nLeila Amini, Charit\u00e9\nPetra Reinke, Charit\u00e9\nHans-Dieter Volk, Charit\u00e9\nJoachim Photiadis, Charit\u00e9\nHorst von Bernuth, Charit\u00e9\nLeif Sander, Charit\u00e9\nFlorian Kurth, Charit\u00e9\nIl-Kang Na, Charit\u00e9\nGeorg Duda, Charit\u00e9\"}},{\"@type\": \"Question\",\"name\": \"Within Leibniz\",\"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\",\"text\": \"Claudia Waskow, FLI, Jena\nMeriem Ouni, Dife, Potsdam\"}},{\"@type\": \"Question\",\"name\": \"National academia\",\"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\",\"text\": \"Elmar J\u00e4ckel, MHH, Hannover\nPetra Knaus, FU Berlin\nJ\u00f6rn Walter, Saarland University, Saarbr\u00fccken\nAlexander Scheffold, Kiel University\nPascal Giehr, LMU M\u00fcnchen\nJoachim Schultze LIMES, Bonn\nAnna Aschenbrenner, DZNE, Bonn\nJochen Huehn, HZI, Braunschweig\nSofia Forslund, MDC, Berlin\"}},{\"@type\": \"Question\",\"name\": \"International academia\",\"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\",\"text\": \"Ignacio Anegon, Nantes Universit\u00e9, FR\nFadi Issa, University of Oxford, UK\nAmanda Foks, Universiteit Leiden, NL\nDimitrios Tsiantoulas, Medical University of Vienna, AU\nDirk Strunk, PMU Salzburg, AU\nBenoit Salomon, INSERM, Marseille, FR\"}}]\n            }\n          <\/script>\n\n          <div class=\"accordion__content\">\n                          <div class=\"accordion-item  box box--accordion over launimation slideBottom\">\n                <button class=\"accordion-item__title\"\n                        aria-expanded=\"false\"\n                        aria-controls=\"accordion_69df3fd1cebc6_0\"\n                        aria-label=\"Zeige den Inhalt an\">\n                    <span class=\"accordion-item__title-wrapper\">\n                      <span class=\"accordion-item__title-main h5\">Within DRFZ\/Charit\u00e9<\/span>\n                                          <\/span>\n                  <span class=\"icon-wrapper\"><\/span>\n                <\/button>\n\n                <div class=\"accordion-item__content-container\" id=\"accordion_69df3fd1cebc6_0\">\n                  <div class=\"accordion-item__content\">\n                    \n                    <div class=\"accordion-item__content-text wysiwyg\">\n                      <ul>\n<li>Mir-Farzin Mashreghi, DRFZ<\/li>\n<li>Ahmed Hegazy, DRFZ<\/li>\n<li>Tobias Alexander, DRFZ<\/li>\n<li>Michael Schm\u00fcck-Henneresse, BCRT, Charit\u00e9<\/li>\n<li>Nina Babel, BCRT, Charit\u00e9<\/li>\n<li>Sven Geissler, BCRT, Charit\u00e9<\/li>\n<li>Daniel Ibrahim, BCRT, Charit\u00e9<\/li>\n<li>Harald Stachelscheid, BIH, Charit\u00e9<\/li>\n<li>Leila Amini, Charit\u00e9<\/li>\n<li>Petra Reinke, Charit\u00e9<\/li>\n<li>Hans-Dieter Volk, Charit\u00e9<\/li>\n<li>Joachim Photiadis, Charit\u00e9<\/li>\n<li>Horst von Bernuth, Charit\u00e9<\/li>\n<li>Leif Sander, Charit\u00e9<\/li>\n<li>Florian Kurth, Charit\u00e9<\/li>\n<li>Il-Kang Na, Charit\u00e9<\/li>\n<li>Georg Duda, Charit\u00e9<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n                                          <\/div>\n                  <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n              <\/div>\n                          <div class=\"accordion-item  box box--accordion over launimation slideBottom\">\n                <button class=\"accordion-item__title\"\n                        aria-expanded=\"false\"\n                        aria-controls=\"accordion_69df3fd1cebc6_1\"\n                        aria-label=\"Zeige den Inhalt an\">\n                    <span class=\"accordion-item__title-wrapper\">\n                      <span class=\"accordion-item__title-main h5\">Within Leibniz<\/span>\n                                          <\/span>\n                  <span class=\"icon-wrapper\"><\/span>\n                <\/button>\n\n                <div class=\"accordion-item__content-container\" id=\"accordion_69df3fd1cebc6_1\">\n                  <div class=\"accordion-item__content\">\n                    \n                    <div class=\"accordion-item__content-text wysiwyg\">\n                      <ul>\n<li>Claudia Waskow, FLI, Jena<\/li>\n<li>Meriem Ouni, Dife, Potsdam<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n                                          <\/div>\n                  <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n              <\/div>\n                          <div class=\"accordion-item  box box--accordion over launimation slideBottom\">\n                <button class=\"accordion-item__title\"\n                        aria-expanded=\"false\"\n                        aria-controls=\"accordion_69df3fd1cebc6_2\"\n                        aria-label=\"Zeige den Inhalt an\">\n                    <span class=\"accordion-item__title-wrapper\">\n                      <span class=\"accordion-item__title-main h5\">National academia<\/span>\n                                          <\/span>\n                  <span class=\"icon-wrapper\"><\/span>\n                <\/button>\n\n                <div class=\"accordion-item__content-container\" id=\"accordion_69df3fd1cebc6_2\">\n                  <div class=\"accordion-item__content\">\n                    \n                    <div class=\"accordion-item__content-text wysiwyg\">\n                      <ul>\n<li>Elmar J\u00e4ckel, MHH, Hannover<\/li>\n<li>Petra Knaus, FU Berlin<\/li>\n<li>J\u00f6rn Walter, Saarland University, Saarbr\u00fccken<\/li>\n<li>Alexander Scheffold, Kiel University<\/li>\n<li>Pascal Giehr, LMU M\u00fcnchen<\/li>\n<li>Joachim Schultze LIMES, Bonn<\/li>\n<li>Anna Aschenbrenner, DZNE, Bonn<\/li>\n<li>Jochen Huehn, HZI, Braunschweig<\/li>\n<li>Sofia Forslund, MDC, Berlin<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n                                          <\/div>\n                  <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n              <\/div>\n                          <div class=\"accordion-item  box box--accordion over launimation slideBottom\">\n                <button class=\"accordion-item__title\"\n                        aria-expanded=\"false\"\n                        aria-controls=\"accordion_69df3fd1cebc6_3\"\n                        aria-label=\"Zeige den Inhalt an\">\n                    <span class=\"accordion-item__title-wrapper\">\n                      <span class=\"accordion-item__title-main h5\">International academia<\/span>\n                                          <\/span>\n                  <span class=\"icon-wrapper\"><\/span>\n                <\/button>\n\n                <div class=\"accordion-item__content-container\" id=\"accordion_69df3fd1cebc6_3\">\n                  <div class=\"accordion-item__content\">\n                    \n                    <div class=\"accordion-item__content-text wysiwyg\">\n                      <ul>\n<li>Ignacio Anegon, Nantes Universit\u00e9, FR<\/li>\n<li>Fadi Issa, University of Oxford, UK<\/li>\n<li>Amanda Foks, Universiteit Leiden, NL<\/li>\n<li>Dimitrios Tsiantoulas, Medical University of Vienna, AU<\/li>\n<li>Dirk Strunk, PMU Salzburg, AU<\/li>\n<li>Benoit Salomon, INSERM, Marseille, FR<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n                                          <\/div>\n                  <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n              <\/div>\n                      <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n  <\/section>\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":17154,"template":"","programme-area-tax":[182],"working-group-tag":[362,325,565,359],"working-group-tax":[249],"class_list":["post-3511","working-group","type-working-group","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","programme-area-tax-programme-area-4","working-group-tag-cell-therapy","working-group-tag-epigenetic-imprinting-en","working-group-tag-epigenetic-regulation","working-group-tag-t-lymphocytes-en","working-group-tax-immuno-epigenetics"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Immuno-Epigenetics - DRFZ<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Julia Polansky heads the research group Immuno-Epigenetics at the German Rheumatology Research Center Berlin, a Leibniz Institute\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, 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