Osteometabolism
Head: Dr. rer. nat. Carina Scherbel (née Scholtysek)
In our group we focus on intracellular metabolism in relation with the dynamics and functions of immune and bone cells. Since metabolic reprogramming and altered bioenergetics are now identified as hallmarks during the onset of inflammation as well as bone destruction, we put a special emphasis to identify novel targets of immunmetabolic checkpoints in the crosstalk of epigenetic reprogramming and cell metabolism.
- Dissecting the immunmetabolic response of macrophages during the clearance of apoptotic cells and the resolution of inflammation
The clearance of apoptotic cells (ACs) by macrophages (MФs) promotes a profound anti-inflammatory reprogramming of these phagocytes and thereby enables the resolution of inflammation and the restoration of tissue homeostasis. The molecular mechanisms that regulate this pro-resolving switch of MФs have remain largely unclear, but essentially contributes to the resolution of inflammation.
In our project, we focus on identifying novel modulators that contribute to these metabolic and epigentic changes in MФs. Cellular metabolism and the epigenome interact with one another in a bidirectional manner, thus we aim to better understand the underlying mechanisms and to determine its relevance for the resolution of inflammation and human disease.
- Understanding the metabolic-epigenetic crosstalk during osteoclastogenesis and bone turnover
Osteoclasts play key roles in the regulation of bone mass and excessive osteoclastogenesis is involved in various pathologies including osteoporosis or joint destruction in autoimmune arthritis. While the molecular events priming osteoclast differentiation and activation have been extensively studied, the knowledge on cellular metabolism and its impact on OC function remain limited.
In this project, we aim to create a bioenergetic map to decipher the metabolic dynamics during osteoclastogenesis and to identify novel regulators of bone turnover. Since changes in cellular metabolism and chromatin remodelling mutually influence each other, we will put a special emphasis on the crosstalk between metabolism and changes in the epigenetic profile of osteoclast and osteoclast-mediated bone turnover.
| Carina Scherbel (née Scholtsek) | Junior Research group leader |
| Cornelia Stoll | Alexandra Correa Zamora |
| Alexandra Correa Zamora | Alexandra Correa Zamora |
| Agnus Monica Davis | Scientific doctoral researcher |
| Thea Hofmann | Medical doctoral researcher |
| Linus Winter | Medical doctoral researcher |
2024-2028 DIONE SFB TRR 369/1
2024-2025 IZKF Elan (P132 / Aktenzeichen: 23-03-15-1-Scholtysek)
2019-2023 DFG First Time Applicant (SCHE 2062/1-1)
2014-2015 IZKF Starting Grant
- Caspase-8 promotes scramblase-mediated phosphatidylserine exposure and fusion of osteoclast precursors. (2024). Nature Bone Research. Krishnacoumar B, Stenzel M, Garibagaoglu H, Omata Y, Sworn RL, Hofmann T, Ipseiz N, Czubala MA, Steffen U, Maccataio A, Stoll C, Böhm C, Herrmann M, Uderhardt S, Jenkins RH, Taylor PR, Grüneboom A, Zaiss MM, Schett G, Krönke G, Scholtysek C.
- Transferrin receptor 2 mitigates periodontitis-driven alveolar bone loss. (2024). J Cell Physiol. Lösser L, Ledesma-Colunga MG, Andrés Sastre E, Scholtysek C, Hofbauer LC, Noack B, Baschant U, Rauner M.
- Metabolic reprogramming of osteoclasts represents a therapeutic target during the treatment of osteoporosis. (2020). Nature Scientific Reports. 10(1):21020. Taubmann J, Krishnacoumar B, Böhm C, Faas M, Müller DIH, Adam S, Stoll C, Böttcher M, Mougiakakos D, Sonnewald U, Hofmann J, Schett G, Krönke G, Scholtysek C.
- PPARδ-mediated mitochondrial rewiring of osteoblasts determines bone mass. (2020). Scientific Reports. 10(1):8428. Müller DIH, Stoll C, Palumbo-Zerr K, Böhm C, Krishnacoumar B, Ipseiz N, Taubmann J, Zimmermann M, Böttcher M, Mougiakakos D, Tuckermann J, Djouad F, Schett G, Scholtysek C, Krönke G.
- NR4A1 Regulates Motility of Osteoclast Precursors and Serves as Target for the Modulation of Systemic Bone Turnover. (2018). Journal Bone and Mineral Research. Scholtysek C, Ipseiz N, Böhm C, Krishnacoumar B, Stenzel M, Czerwinski T, Palumbo-Zerr K, Rothe T, Weidner D, Klej A, Stoll C, Distler J, Tuckermann J, Herrmann M, Fabry B, Goldmann WH, Schett G, Krönke G.
- PPARβ/δ governs Wnt signaling and bone turnover. (2013). Nature Medicine. Scholtysek C, Katzenbeisser J, Fu H, Uderhardt S, Ipseiz N, Stoll C, Zaiss MM, Stock M, Donhauser L, Böhm C, Kleyer A, Hess A, Engelke K, David JP, Djouad F, Tuckermann JP, Desvergne B, Schett G, Krönke G.