Research focus of the Legler group
The immune system reacts as the body's own defense system against invading pathogens, harmful foreign substances (toxins) and abnormal cancer cells. It consists of specialized organs, various white blood cell types and messenger substances that are used for signal transmission or chemical communication. These include, for example, chemokines, a group of small signaling proteins that act as cell attractants and allow for the targeted migration of immune cells.
In order to successfully protect against disease, the innate immune system must first recognize the pathogen. If it cannot eliminate it immediately, the acquired immune system must become active, which over time learns to ward off future infections with the same pathogen early and specifically through the formation of antibodies and the maturation of immune cells directed against the pathogen. The defense must be controlled in such a way to prevent autoimmunity and that no damage is caused to the body by an overshoot of the immune reaction.
Immune cells are highly mobile and constantly circulate in the blood and lymphatic system or migrate in peripheral tissues to ensure rapid detection of pathogens or abnormal cells.
Depending on the cell type, they are attracted and stimulated by messenger substances from cells of the innate immune system, for example, and then migrate specifically into inflammatory tissue. When they detect a pathogen there, they send signals to their surroundings or migrate to their destination where they carry out their function.
