Hannes Eberhardt
Personal Data:
Country of Origin: Germany
Start of PhD: February 2009
Institution: HKI
PhD Project:
The role of CFHR proteins in human autoimmune diseases
Supervisor(s):
P.F. Zipfel (HKI),
C. Skerka (HKI)
Abstract:
Complement is one of the first lines of defence in innate immunity and plays a
crucial role in the elimination of microbes, clearance of immune complexes and
damaged self cells. Complement also modulates adaptive immune responses.
The complement is activated in a cascade-like manner by three major pathways,
the alternative, the lectin and the classical pathway. In order to protect host
cells and tissues from complement mediated destruction, the activated complement
system needs tightly control. Complement factor H is a fluid phase regulator and
the central regulator of the alternative complement pathway, acting on the C3-convertase.
Factor H is a member of the factor H protein family, which is composed of Factor H and
Complement Factor H-like protein 1 (CFHL1), as well as five Complement factor H-related
proteins CFHR1, CFHR2, CFHR3, CFHR4 and CFHR5. Mutations, polymorphisms and deletions within the CFH
gene cluster are associated with several human diseases, such as atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome
(aHUS), DEAP-HUS (deficiency of CFHR proteins and antibody positive HUS), membranoproliverative
glumerulonephritis type II (MPGN II) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The obvious
correlation between dysfunctions of CFHR proteins and autoimmune diseases isn’t understood so far.
CFHR1 and CFHR3 deficiency is a predisposing factor for aHUS, and also for the development of
autoantibodies by B-cells against factor H. Therefore the goal of the study is to address the
mechanisms by which CFHR proteins are involved in the generation of autoimmune diseases, especially
in the development of autoantibodies.
Publications:
- Eberhardt HU, Uzonyi B, Haelbich S, Zipfel PF, Skerka C (2009) Complement factor-H related protein 2
(CFHR2) is a C3b and a heparin binding protein. In: Schmidt RE (Ed.)
2nd European Congress of Immunology - ECI, 5-10.
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