Research Interest

Inflammatory processes affecting the nervous system, with specific focus on the migration of immunocompetent cells into the nervous system mediated by metalloproteases, on effector mechanisms of inflammatory damage, as well as on immunoregulation, specifically the role of regulatory T cells. These questions are studied in animal models of CNS and PNS autoimmunity.  Furthermore, mechanisms of immune-driven neurodegeneration and –regeneration are addressed using in addition in vitro models for (re-)myelination, and the immunocompetence of myelinating cells are investigated. Translational research focuses on the role of biomarkers predicting efficacy and safety of innovative therapies in autoimmune diseases.

Selected Publications

1. Meyer zu Hörste G, Heidenreich H, Lehmann HC, Ferrone S, Hartung HP, Wiendl H, Kieseier BC. Expression of antigen processing and presenting molecules by Schwann cells in inflammatory neuropathies. Glia. 2010; 58: 80-92 PubMed

2. Mausberg AK, Meyer Zu Hörste G, Dehmel T, Stettner M, Lehmann HC, Sheikh KA, Kieseier BC. Erythropoietin ameliorates rat experimental autoimmune neuritis by inducing transforming growth factor-beta in macrophages. PLoS ONE. 2011; 6: e21223 PubMed

3. Lehmann HC, Jangouk P, Kierysch EK, Meyer zu Hörste G, Hartung HP, Kieseier BC. Autoantibody-mediated dysfunction of sympathetic neurons in guillain-barre syndrome. Arch Neurol. 2010; 67: 203-210 PubMed

4. Sominanda A, Lundkvist M, Fogdell-Hahn A, Hemmer B, Hartung HP, Hillart J,  Menge T, Kieseier BC. Inhibition of endogenous interferon beta by neutralizing antibodies against recombinant interferon beta. Arch Neurol. 2010; 67: 1095-1101 PubMed

5. Meyer zu Horste G, Heidenreich H, Mausberg AK, Lehmann HC, ten Asbroek AL, Saavedra JT, Baas F, Hartung HP, Wiendl H, Kieseier BC. Mouse Schwann cells activate MHC class I and II restricted T-cell responses, but require external peptide processing for MHC class II presentation. Neurobiol Dis. 2010; 37: 483-490 PubMed

6. Warnke C, Adams O, Kieseier BC. Asymptomatic reactivation of JC virus in patients treated with natalizumab. N Engl J Med. 2009; 361: 2489 PubMed

7. Jangouk P, Dehmel T, Meyer zu Hörste G, Ludwig A, Lehmann HC, Kieseier BC. Involvement of ADAM10 in axonal outgrowth and myelination of the peripheral nerve. Glia. 2009; 57: 1765-1774 PubMed

8. Stüve O, Leussink VI, Fröhlich R, Hemmer B, Hartung HP, Menge T, Kieseier BC. Long-term B-lymphocyte depletion with rituximab in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Arch Neurol. 2009; 66: 259-261 PubMed

9. Lehmann HC, Köhne A, Bernal F, Jangouk P, Meyer zu Hörste G, Dehmel T, Hartung HP, Previtali S, Kieseier BC. Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 is involved in myelination of dorsal root ganglia neurons. Glia. 2009; 57: 479-489 PubMed

10. Hu W, Dehmel T, Pirhonen J, Hartung HP, Kieseier BC. Interleukin 23 in acute inflammatory demyelination of the peripheral nerve. Arch Neurol. 2006; 63: 858-864 PubMed