Metabolic and dietary control of inflammatory tissue priming

Changes in cellular and systemic metabolism heavily affect the immune response and are critical factors controlling the onset and progression of chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We have previously shown that metabolic invigoration of synovial fibroblasts (SFs) drives inflammatory tissue priming, which lowers the tissue threshold for recurring inflammation in arthritis (Friscic et al., Immunity 2021). Interestingly, dietary changes, such as nutritional supplementation with microbial-derived short chain fatty acids (Friscic et al, Nutrients 2022) or fasting (Hofer et al, Nat Cell Biology 2024), have the potential to ameliorate inflammation and inflammatory tissue priming in mice.

In this project, which is part of the DFG-funded Research group FOR2886 “PANDORA” we seek to decipher the mechanisms that promote such a diet-induced immune-metabolic rewiring and result in amelioration of arthritis (via microbiome remodeling, amongst others), focusing on joint-resident cells and their interaction with infiltrating leukocytes. Our long-term vision is to design diets for preventing inflammatory tissue priming and the associated chronification of inflammation in mouse models. Positive results are then translated to patients with inflammatory autoimmune and infectious diseases. 

Related Publications:

Friscic et al. Immunity 2021 (PMID 33761330)

Friscic et al Nutrients 2021 (PMID 34068191)

Hofer et al. Nature Cell Biol2024 (PMID 39117797)

Main responsible: Ivana Androsevic