The goal of the CRC 1160
The Collaborative Research Center (CRC) 1160. “Immune-mediated pathology as a consequence of impaired immune reactions (IMPATH)” is a research consortium of clinical and basic immunologists exploring the basis of diseases mediated by the immune system.
The CRC sets out to challenge the traditional idea that an “overreaction” or “deviation“ of normal immune responses is pivotal to immune mediated pathology and that, consequently, immunosuppression is the appropriate therapeutic strategy for such disorders. Instead, the conceptual basis of the CRC is the idea that impaired immune reactions constitute a major prerequisite for immunopathology. This is what we call the “IMPATH paradox”. This paradox implies that immune reconstitution and/or immune stimulation rather than immunosuppression represent appropriate therapeutic principles for these forms of immunopathology.
News
Publications
Giorgetti OB, Haas-Assenbaum A, Boehm T. 2025. Probing TCR Specificity Using Artificial In Vivo Diversification of CDR3 Regions. Eur J Immunol. 55(1):e202451434. doi: 10.1002/eji.202451434.
Drude N, Nagel-Riedasch S, Rosshart SP, Diefenbach A; “Charité 3R Wildling Mouse Model in Health and Disease (C3R Wildling HeaD)” consortium; 2024. A facility for laboratory mice with a natural microbiome at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin. Jordan S.Lab Anim (NY). 53(12):351-354. doi: 10.1038/s41684-024-01474-4.
Bruno P, Schüler T, Rosshart SP. 2024. Born to be wild: utilizing natural microbiota for reliable biomedical research. Trends Immunol. 46(1):17-28. doi: 10.1016/j.it.2024.11.013.
Ankerhold J, Kessler S, Beer M, Schwemmle M, Ciminski K. 2025. Replication Restriction of Influenza A(H5N1) Clade 2.3.4.4b Viruses by Human Immune Factor, 2023-2024. Emerg Infect Dis. Jan;31(1):199-202. doi: 10.3201/eid3101.241236.
Wang Y, Hess ME, Tan Y, Esser PR, Nyström A, Boerries M, Sayar SB, Has C. 2025. Alterations in the microenvironment of junctional epidermolysis bullosa keratinocytes: A gene expression study. Matrix Biol. 35:12-23. doi: 10.1016/j.matbio.2024.11.005.
Contact
Scientific Manager/Administration
Dr. Heike Ufheil
Institute for Immunodeficiency,
Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency (CCI)
Medical Center – University of Freiburg
