Clinic of the Johannes Gutenberg
University of Mainz
2. Dr. Ari Waisman, Ph.D., professor, group leader
     I Med. Klinik und Poliklinik
    Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz
    Verfügungsgebäude
    Obere Zahlstrasse 63
    55131 Mainz
    Germany
    Fax: +49 6131 393 3364
    Email address: waisman@uni-mainz.de
    http://www.genetik.uni-koeln.de/groups/Waisman/index.html


The research group of Ari Waisman in Mainz is using conditional gene targeting in three main approaches:
  1. Tissue-specific ablation of genes involved in brain inflammation using brain-specific Cre mice. Mice that express Cre in oligodendrocytes are used to delete Fas, CYLD or gp130. e.g. to study the role of Fas in EAE (Fas-mediated death of oligodendrocytes in brain inflammation).
  2. The role of different APC in brain inflammation. A new mouse model was generated that allow the expression of a MOG-derived peptide by MHC class II of specific APC. Using this mouse model a role for B cells in peripheral tolerance induction in vivo was recently shown
  3. The role of secreted antibodies in immune responses with emphasis on autoimmune responses and function of IgG1 as B cell receptor (BCR). In this project two knock in mice are used: in the first strain an IgM BCR leads to the development of IgM+ B cells that do not secrete antibodies and in the second strain an IgG1 BCR derives the development only of IgG1+ B cells.
The unit for Pathophysiology of the I. Medical Department in the University of Mainz is leading in techniques of manipulation the mouse genome. The Medical School of Mainz includes the mouse genetics facility that has large capacity to produce knockout and transgenic mice. In addition, the Medical School has core facilities specialized in different genomic topics such as array and proteomics. All knowledge, expertise and training facilities for the generation of conditional knockout mice and tissue-specific Cre-expressing mice is present as is immunological "know how" that includes in vivo analysis of T and B cell responses, work with different APC including DC sub-populations, FACS analysis and FACS sorting and analysis of autoimmune diseases, with emphasis on EAE, SLE and IDDM.


Appointed research fellows

Experienced researcher: Charlotte Georgi Jakobsen, Denmark
Appointed on the IMDEMI project from 1-10-2005 to 30-9-2008

Early stage researcher: Andrew Croxford, United Kingdom
Appointed on the IMDEMI project from 1-6-2006 to 31-5-2009


Publications originating from the IMDEMI project

Croxford AL, Kurschus FC, Waisman A. Cutting edge: An IL-17F-CreEYFP reporter mouse allows fate mapping of Th17 cells.
J Immunol 182: 1237-1241, 2009. (PDF)

Haak S, Croxford AL, Kreymborg K, Heppner FL, Pouly S, Becher B, Waisman A. IL-17A and IL-17F do not contribute vitally to autoimmune neuro-inflammation in mice. J Clin Invest 119: 61-69, 2009. (PDF)

Waisman A, Croxford AL, Demircik F. New tools to study the role of B cells in cytomegalovirus infections. Med Microbiol Immunol 197: 145-149, 2008. (PDF)

Croxford AL, Akilli-Ozturk O, Rieux-Laucat F, Förster I, Waisman A, Buch T.MHC-restricted T cell receptor signaling is required for alpha beta TCR replacement of the pre T cell receptor. Eur J Immunol 38: 391-399, 2008. (PDF)

Frommer F, Heinen TJ, Wunderlich FT, Yogev N, Buch T, Roers A, Bettelli E, Müller W, Anderton SM, Waisman A. Tolerance without clonal expansion: self-antigen-expressing B cells program self-reactive T cells for future deletion. J Immunol 181: 5748-5759, 2008. (PDF)

Korn T, Mitsdoerffer M, Croxford AL, Awasthi A, Dardalhon VA, Galileos G, Vollmar P, Stritesky GL, Kaplan MH, Waisman A, Kuchroo VK, Oukka M.IL-6 controls Th17 immunity in vivo by inhibiting the conversion of conventional T cells into Foxp3+ regulatory T cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 105 :18460-18465, 2008. (PDF)

Waisman A
, Croxford AL, Demircik F. New tools to study the role of B cells in cytomegalovirus infections. Med Microbiol Immunol 197: 145-149, 2008. (PDF)

Croxford AL, Akilli-Ozturk O, Rieux-Laucat F, Förster I, Waisman A, Buch T.MHC restricted T cell receptor signaling is required for alpha beta TCR replacement of the pre T cell receptor. Eur J Immunol 38:391-399, 2008. (PDF)

Hövelmeyer N, Wunderlich FT, Massoumi R, Jakobsen CG, Song J, Wörns MA, Merkwirth C, Kovalenko A, Aumailley M, Strand D, Brüning JC, Galle PR, Wallach D, Fässler R, Waisman A. Regulation of B cell homeostasis and activation by the tumor suppressor gene CYLD. J Exp Med 204: 2615-2627, 2008. (PDF)

Woelbing F, Kostka SL, Moelle K, Belkaid Y, Sunderkoetter C, Verbeek S, Waisman A, Nigg AP, Knop J, Udey MC, von Stebut E. Uptake of Leishmania major by dendritic cells is mediated by Fcgamma receptors and facilitates acquisition of protective immunity.
J Exp Med 203: 177- 188, 2006. (PDF)



Publications Ari Waisman (link to PubMed)

 

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