Klinik für Innere Medizin IIGastroenterologie, Hepatologie, Endokrinologie und Infektiologie

Cell-cell and cell-matrix communications in steatotic lLiver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma

The communication between hepatocytes and its cellular and stromal microenvironment play a key role in the progression of steatotic liver disease to liver cirrhosis and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Cell adhesion proteins are hereby involved in the transduction of cell contacts into intracellular signaling, allowing cells to detect and respond to changes in their microenvironment. Related cell signaling cascades impact on cell proliferation, migration, differentiation and interactions with the immune microenvironment that are crucial in liver disease progression and malignant transformation.

A key focus of our translational research approach is hereby to study the role of cell adhesion proteins for immune responses in the liver and its potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in steatotic liver disease and liver cancer. In close collaboration with the groups of the TRANSLATIONAL EXPERIMENTAL IMMUNOLOGY LAB we apply single-cell profiling approaches including multiparameteric flow cytometry and imaging mass cytometry to profile the immune and stromal microenvironment of cell adhesion protein expressing liver cells. Using advanced 3D cell culture models, including spheroid and organoid systems we further functionally investigate the biological consequences of cell adhesion protein perturbation.

The overall aim of all our projects is the better understanding of molecular mechanisms driving steatotic liver disease progression and HCC development and the development of potential novel therapeutic approaches. 

Group of Natascha Röhlen

Our studies are currently sponsored by:

• Sonderforschungsbereich-CRC1479 OncoEscape (DFG)
• IMMediate (funded by the BMBF)

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• View all publications by Natascha Röhlen in Pubmed