Research seminars Ubiquitin chains as regulators of immune signalling and inflammation

Abstract

Inflammation is an essential part of the innate host defense to infection and tissue damage, but inflammation can become pathological when inappropriately regulated and underlies various chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease and psoriasis. My research group investigates the fundamental signalling processes that control immune responses, with a particular focus on molecular mechanisms governing inflammatory signalling, cell death, and innate immunity. Projects in the group focus on the role of non-degradative ubiquitin chains assembled via Lys63 and Met1 in regulating immune responses and inflammation. Through this, we seek to advance our understanding of the molecular etiology of inflammatory skin diseases and other immune disorders, which ultimately may pave the way for improved treatment strategies. I will discuss our recent and on-going studies of the role and regulation of Lys63- and Met1-linked ubiquitin chains in signalling responses and inflammation elicited by stimulation of immune receptors such as TNF receptor 1, the nucleic acid sensor ZBP-1, and the bacteria-sensing receptor NOD2.