Project A06

Adrenal stem cells under homeostatic and stress conditions

Principal Investigators

PhD
Charlotte Steenblock

Technische Universität Dresden,

Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus Dresden,

Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik III, Molekulare Endokrinologie,

charlotte.steenblock[at]uniklinikum-dresden.de

PhD
Cynthia Andoniadou

Technische Universität Dresden,

Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus Dresden,

Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik III,

cynthia.andoniadou[at]uniklinikum-dresden.de

PhD.
Andreas Schedl

Technische Universität Dresden,

Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus Dresden,

Department of Internal Medicine III,

andreas.schedl[at]uniklinikum-dresden.de

Scientific Staff

Alice Santambrogio – PhD Student
Ilona Berger – PhD Student

Project Description

Project A06 deals with the adrenal response to stress. It aims to characterize stem/progenitors with regenerative capacity of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and the functional role of signal transduction mechanisms in these processes. Thus, they focus on the regeneration and stress adaptation mechanisms in the HPA axis and the potential involvement of progenitors in maladaptation, which will be of clinical importance. Furthermore, they work on the differentiation of different stem cells into steroidogenic cells in order to restore adrenal insufficiency.

Aims

(I) Utilise in vitro differentiated murine ES cells to restore adrenal insufficiency.

(II) Evaluate the behaviour of HPA axis progenitors following perturbation of the HPA axis in mice and humans.

(III) Characterise the molecular dynamics involved in the pathogenesis of stress-associated disorders utilising omics approaches.

PhD/MD-Thesis

Characterization of Sox2 positive stem cells in the adrenal and their role in stress: Alice Santambrogio, Sep. 2017-Aug. 2021.

Characterisation of stem cells of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis during stress: Ilona Berger, Feb. 2018-Jun. 2021.

Characterisation of Adrenal Stem Cells in Metabolic Disease: Laura D. Scriba, Oct. 2018-Sep. 2019.

The influence of obesity and diabetes on the function of adult stem cells of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis: Martin Werdermann, Oct. 2017-Sep. 2018.

Publications (CRC/TRR 205 included)