Collaborative Research Centre (CRC) 1525 – Cardio-Immune Interfaces

The Collaborative Research Centre (CRC) 1525 "Cardio-immune Interfaces" uses a distinctly interdisciplinary approach to investigate the immunological processes that are triggered in different myocardial diseases. Our network, which is funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), comprises 17 subprojects and 2 service projects.

Background

Immunological processes play decisive roles in a number of heart diseases and can exert either positive or damaging effects. The immune system strongly modulates pathophysiological processes in the myocardium after acute infarction and in chronic heart failure with ischemic and non-ischemic etiology. However, the underlying cellular or molecular mechanisms and their temporal evolution in different acute and chronic myocardial diseases are not yet sufficiently known.

Basic and translational research

A total of 17 projects and 2 service projects from 13 institutions are dedicated to the in-depth investigation of these relationships. Closely linked through joint projects, these institutions will analyse various aspects of immunological processes in a highly interdisciplinary manner. The overall aims are to define diagnostic criteria and find novel targeted therapeutic interventions to prevent or treat heart failure. Advanced imaging methods and new biomarkers should help make basic research findings usable for clinical diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Focus on cardio-immunology

Würzburg is an optimal centre for the emerging specialty of immunocardiology because the facilities already located here host a number of research groups with long-standing intensive research activity in the field. The Cardiology Department of the University Hospital and the German Center for Heart Failure (CHFC) together provide an excellent environment for clinical and preclinical research. By collaborating with researchers from various other institutes, like the Würzburg Institute of Systems Immunology and the Center for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging, we created a unique team that includes experts in cardiology, immunology, bioinformatics and imaging. 

Research objectives

In the long term, we envisage that results from our CRC will enable us to identify and learn how to treat patients with a high inflammatory burden who could benefit most from immunomodulatory therapy. As part of this mission, young talented scientists with particular interest in our research field are cordially invited to join our working groups and research projects.

Greetings to you as spokesman for the SFB
Prof. Stefan Franz, MD