Tumor-intrinsic vs. microenvironment dependent roles of IL-1 secretion and signaling in melanoma

  © Gil Lefauconnier

Prof. Dr. med. Veit Hornung

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
Gene Center and Department of Biochemistry(link is external)

E-Mail(link sends e-mail)

Project Summary

IL-1α and IL-1β are cytokines with pleiotropic activities that have been associated with inflammation, tissue repair and the regulation of adaptive immune responses. IL-1 secretion in the context for chronic inflammation has also been linked to the development and progression of cancer, most prominently malignant melanoma. In this project, we will dissect the role of IL-1 activation and secretion for melanoma dedifferentiation and progression both within the microenvironment, as well as within the tumor itself. We expect that these studies will allow us to dissect the pleiotropic role of IL-1 signaling in cancer, using melanoma as a model system.

Veit Hornung has received an Advanced Grant from the European Research Council for the study of pivotal components of the innate immune system.

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A team led by LMU‘s Veit Hornung has shown that a protein found in skin cells recognizes a specific nucleic acid intermediate that is formed during virus replication. This recognition process subsequently induces a potent inflammatory response.

Image: Stefan Bauernfried

Professor Veit Hornung has received the William B. Coley Award from the renowned US Cancer Research Institute (CRI).

Image: Jan Greune / LMU

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The Liliane Bettencourt Prize for Life Sciences has been awarded annually to researchers under the age of 45.

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