Non-invasive imaging, cell tracking and functional analyses at cellular barriers

    This central project provides all required equipment, methods and protocols for

    1. ex vivo in-depth analysis of target cells in cellular and animal models, using state-of-the-art cell sorting and flow cytometry imaging methods for studies at the cellular level, and
    2. non-invasive in vivo imaging using MRI (both up to biosafety level 2).

    Novel MRI methods will be developed and tailored to the needs of the individual projects: for single cell detection, for ultra-high resolution imaging of cell migration in the skin, for detection of immune cell infiltration into the lung, for simultaneous detection and tracking of both immune cells and pathogens.

    Research area: Small animal MRI, subcellular imaging

    Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Cornelius Faber
    Prof. Dr. med. Johannes Roth (since 07/2016)
    Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Karin Loser (07/2016 - 6/2020)

    Funding period: July 2012 - June 2024

    • Publications

      Original articles

      • Freise N, Burghard A, Ortkras T, Daber N, Chasan AI, Jauch S, Fehler O, Hillebrand J, Schakaki M, Rojas J, Grimbacher B, Vogl T, Hoffmeier A, Martens S, Roth J, Austermann J (2019) Regulatory signaling mechanisms of phagocyte re-programming during systemic vascular inflammation. Blood 134:134-146.
      • Masthoff M, Buchholz R, Beuker A, Wachsmuth L, Kraupner A, Albers F, Freppon F, Helfen A, Gerwing M, Höltke C, Hanson U, Rehkämper J, Vielhaber T, Heindel W, Eisenblaetter M, Karst U, Wildgruber M, Faber C (2019) Introducing specificity to iron oxide nanoparticle imaging by combining 57Fe-based MRI and mass spectrometry. Nano Lett 19(11):7908-7917.
      • Breuer J, Loser K, Mykicki N, Wiendl H, Schwab N. Does the environment influence multiple sclerosis pathogenesis via UVB light and/or induction of vitamin D? J Neuroimmunol. 2018 May 18. pii: S0165-5728(17)30478-2.
      • Masthoff M, Gran S, Zhang X, Wachsmuth L, Bietenbeck M, Helfen A, Heindel W, Sorokin S, Roth J, Eisenblätter M, Wildgruber M, Faber C (2018). Temporal window for detection of inflammatory disease using dynamic cell tracking with timelapse MRI, Sci Rep 8:9563
      • Breuer, J, Herich S, Schneider-Hohendorf T, Chasan AI, Wettschureck N, Gross CC, Loser K, Zarbock A, Roth J, Klotz L, Wiendl H, and Schwab N. (2017) Dual-action by dimethyl fumarate synergistically reduces adhesion to human endothelium. Multiple Scler. J. 1352458517735189.
      • Vogl T, Stratis A, Wixler V, Völler T, Thurainayagam S, Jorch SK, Zenker S, Dreiling A, Chakraborty D, Fröhling M, Paruzel P, Wehmeyer C, Hermann S, Papantonopoulou O, Geyer C, Loser K, Schäfers M, Ludwig S, Stoll M, Leanderson T, Schultze JL, König S, Pap T, Roth J. Autoinhibitory regulation of S100A8/S100A9 alarmin activity locally restricts sterile inflammation. J Clin Invest. 2018 May 1;128(5):1852-1866. doi: 10.1172/JCI89867.
      • Wegner J, Loser K, Apsite G, Nischt R, Eckes B, Krieg T, Werner S, Sorokin L (2016) Laminin alpha5 in the keratinocyte basement membrane is required for epidermal-dermal intercommunication. Matrix Biol. 56:24-41.
      • Klasen T, Faber C (2016). Assessment of the myelin water fraction in rodent spinal cord using T2-prepared ultrashort echo time MRI. Magn Reson Mater Phy, 1-10.
      • Mykicki N, Herrmann AM, Schwab N, Deenen R, Sparwasser T, Limmer A, Wachsmuth L, Klotz L, Köhrer K, Faber C, Wiendl H, Luger TA, Meuth SG, Loser K (2016). Melanocortin-1 receptor activation is neuroprotective in mouse models of neuroinflammatory disease. Sci Transl Med, 8 (362): 362ra146.
      • O'Halloran PJ, Viel T, Murray DW, Wachsmuth L, Schwegmann K, Wagner S, Kopka K, Jarzabek MA, Dicker P, Hermann S, Faber C, Klasen T, Schäfers M, O'Brien D, Prehn J HM, Jacobs AH, Byrnel AT (2016). Machanistic interrogation of combination Bevacizumab/dual P13K/m TOR inhibitor response in Glioblastoma implementing novel MR and PET imaging biomarkers. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging, 43(9): 1673-1683.
      • Song J, Wu C, Agrawal S, Korpos E, Wang Y, Faber C, Schäfers M, Körner H, Opdenakker G, Hallmann R, Sorokin L (2015) Focal MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity at the blood-brain barrier (BBB) promotes chemokine-induced leukocyte migration. Cell Reports 10 (7): 1040-1054.[doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2015.01.037] Epub 2015 Feb 19.
      • Hoerr V, Faber C (2014) Magnetic resonance imaging characterization of microbial infections. J Pharm Biomed Anal 93: 136-146.
      • Schmidt R, Nippe N, Strobel K, Masthoff M, Reifschneider O, Castelli DD, Höltke C, Aime S, Karst U, Sunderkötter C, Bremer C, Faber C (2014) Highly Shifted Proton MRI - Cell tracking by direct detction of paramagnetic compounds. Radiology 272(3): 785-795. (doi: 10.1148/radiol.14132056. Epub 2014 May 18)
      • Hoerr V, Tuchscherr L, Hüve J, Nippe N, Loser K, Glyvuk N, Tsytsyura Y, Holtkamp M, Sunderkötter C, Karst U, Klingauf J, Peters G, Löffler B, Faber C (2013) Bacteria tracking by in vivo magnetic resonance imaging. BMC Biol 11: 63. [doi: 10.1186/1741-7007-11-63]