B03: Influence of ATP metabolites on contact hypersensitivity reactions in skin

The balance of pro-inflammatory adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and it’s immunosuppressive metabolite adenosine (ADO) in skin affects contact hypersensitivity (CHS) reactions. But as to how this balance of ATP and ADO in skin regulates skin immune cell functions is not clear. We will test mice that are deficient for the ATP-degrading enzymes CD39 and CD73 in hapten-induced CHS models and (i) analyze the phenotype and function of skin derived dendritic cells (DC), (ii) assess the signal transduction events and (iii) monitor molecular interactions between cells during CHS induction. These data will reveal major mechanisms how ATP/ADO turnover in skin affects CHS responses.