Our research group focuses on adaptive and innate immune responses, specifically on their dynamic changes during inflammation. To advance basic research to the clinics, we are performing clinical trials, in-vivo and in vitro studies..

Immunophenotyping of sepsis patient clusters 
We are analyzing the immune status in clinical patient cohorts. For this purpose, we employ a combination of various analytical methods. These techniques enable us to investigate cell-specific signaling pathways within patient cohorts identified by machine learning. The objective is to identify new potential therapeutic approaches for specific patient groups.

Detection of platelet aggregates in sepsis using POC flow microscopy Cellface
In cooperation with Prof. Hayden, we investigate platelet aggregates’ composition and their clinical significance. For this purpose, we examine the actuating value holographic POC flow microscopy Cellface and imaging flow microscopy to elucidate the composition and activation of platelet aggregates during sepsis.

Bacteriophage Therapy in Sepsis
In collaboration with Prof. Li Deng’s research group, our team investigates the therapeutic potential of bacteriophages in treating sepsis. In our in-vitro studies, we first examine whether and how different phages can be effectively used in sepsis treatment.

In vivo and in vitro models on the role of stress and guidance molecules in sepsis
Using different tracking and knockout methods, we investigate in-vivo and in-vitro how stress or specific molecules influence genetic imprinting and, thus, the cellular immune response.

In-vivo investigation of neuroinflammation in septic encephalopathy using EEG
Our group is investigating in vivo the role and detectability of neuroinflammation in septic encephalopathy.

• Johannes Krell, MD: Studies how machine learning can identify disease- and course-specific patient groups and their biological significance in sepsis. Moreover, Johannes explores the role of platelet aggregates in sepsis.
• Korbinian Schreyer, MD: Investigates the effects of Netrin-1 and Unc5b on the course of sepsis in vivo and in vitro
• cand. med. Norwin Klug: Focuses on the usability and efficiency of bacteriophages in sepsis patients.
• cand. med. Jenny Kostner: Investigates the composition of platelet aggregates in sepsis.
• cand. med. dipl.-ing. Matthias Huedig: Tests the signaling pathways in platelet aggregates in sepsis.
• cand. med. Li Cheng: Studies the impact of Unc5b on sepsis.
• Sabrina Burdorf, MD: Studies the cell-specific course of critically ill sepsis patients in our ICUs using FACS and CellFace in cooperation with Prof. Oliver Haydn
• cand. med. Laura Ziegon: Examines the role of the neuronal guidance protein Netrin-1 in sepsis in ICU patients.
• cand. med. Severin Fuchs: Investigates the in-vitro immune response of sepsis patients and its therapeutic influenceability
• cand. med. Julia Stettmer: Examines the role of cell-specific netrin-1 in in-vivo models of sepsis.
• cand. med. Thomas Schlenker: Investigates immunological differences in the cell-specific immune response and the formation of platelet aggregates in patients with bacterial and viral ARDS.
• cand. med. Stephanie Schmidt: Studies platelet aggregates’ formation and their immunological evolution in the early phase of sepsis.

• Kathryn Moore, Director of the NYU Cardiovascular Research Center, New York, NY, US
• Li Deng, Professor and  Research Group leader, Institute for Virology, Technical Unversity Munich
• Raphael Reuten, Professor for Matritecture, Experimentelle und Klinische Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg
• Jason Hellman, Assistant Professor, Diabetes and Obesity Center, University of Louisville, KY, US
• Andreas Körner, Assistant Professor for Analysis and Science Computing, Technical University Wien
• Oliver Hayden, Chair of Biomedical Electronics, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering TranslaTUM

2024
Schlegel M, Cyr Y, Newman AAC, Schreyer K, Barcia Duran JG,.. Moore KJ. Targeting Unc5b in macrophages drives atherosclerosis regression and pro-resolving immune cell function. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 2024;121(44):e2412690121.

Cyr Y, …, Schlegel M, ..., Moore KJ. The IRG1-itaconate axis protects from cholesterol-induced inflammation and atherosclerosis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2024 Apr 9;121(15):e2400675121. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2400675121. Epub 2024 Apr 2.

2023
Troseid M, Arribas JR, Assoumou L, Holten AR, Poissy J, Terzic V, Schlegel M et al.
Efficacy and safety of baricitinib in hospitalized adults with severe or critical COVID-19 (Bari-SolidAct): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial.
Crit Care. 2023;27(1):9.

2022
Blazer A, Qian Y, Schlegel M, Algasas H, Buyon JP, Cadwell K, et al.
APOL1 variant-expressing endothelial cells exhibit autophagic dysfunction and mitochondrial stress.
Front Genet. 2022;13

Wang X, Shi Q, Pradhan AK, Ziegon L, Schlegel M, Rammes G.
Beta-Site Amyloid Precursor Protein-Cleaving Enzyme Inhibition Partly Restores Sevoflurane-Induced Deficits on Synaptic Plasticity and Spine Loss.
Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23(12).

2021
Ziegon L, Schlegel M.
Netrin-1: A Modulator of Macrophage Driven Acute and Chronic Inflammation.
Int J Mol Sci. 2021;23(1).

Schlegel M, Sharma M, Brown EJ, Newman AAC, Cyr Y, Afonso MS, Corr EM, Koelwyn GJ, van Solingen C, Guzman J, Farhat R, Nikain CA, Shanley LC, Peled D, Schmidt AM, Fisher EA, Moore KJ. Silencing Myeloid Netrin-1 Induces Inflammation Resolution and Plaque Regression. Circ Res 129(5): 530-546. 2021.

Afonso MS, Sharma M, Schlegel M, van Solingen C, Koelwyn GJ, Shanley LC, Beckett L, Peled D, Rahman K, Giannarelli C, Li H, Brown EJ, Khodadadi-Jamayran A, Fisher EA, Moore KJ. miR-33 Silencing Reprograms the Immune Cell Landscape in Atherosclerotic Plaques Circulation Research. 2021.

Afonso MS, Verma N, van Solingen C, Cyr Y, Sharma M, Perie L, Corr EM, Schlegel M, Shanley LC, Peled D, Yoo JY, Schmidt AM, Mueller E, Moore KJ. MicroRNA-33 Inhibits Adaptive Thermogenesis and Adipose Tissue Beiging. ATVB. 2021.

2020
Tikkinen KAO, Malekzadeh R, Schlegel M, Rutanen J, Glasziou P. COVID clinical trials: learning from exceptions in the research chaos. Nature medicine. 2020.

Koelwyn GJ, Newman AAC, Afonso MS, Solingen Cv, Corr EM, Brown EJ, Albers KB, Yamaguchi N, Narke D, Schlegel M, Sharma M, Shanley LC, Barrett TJ, Mezzano KRV, Fisher EA, Park DS, Newman JD, Quail DF, Nelson ER, Caan BJ, Jones LW and Moore KJ. Myocardial Infarction Accelerates Breast Cancer via Innate Immune Reprogramming. Nature medicine. 2020

Schlegel M and Moore KJ. A heritable netrin-1 mutation increases atherogenic immune responses. Atherosclerosis. 2020

Sharma M, Schlegel M, Afonso MS, Brown EJ, Rahman K, Weinstock A, Sansbury B, Corr EM, van Solingen C, Koelwyn G, Shanley LC, Beckett L, Peled D, Lafaille JJ, Spite M, Loke P, Fisher EA and Moore KJ. Regulatory T Cells License Macrophage Pro-Resolving Functions During Atherosclerosis Regression. Circulation research. 2020.

2019
Schlegel M, Koelwyn GJ, Moore KJ. Connecting Transcriptional and Functional Macrophage Heterogeneity in Atherosclerosis. Circulation research. 2019;125(12):1052-4.

Barrett TJ, Schlegel M, Zhou F, Gorenchtein M, Bolstorff J, Moore KJ, et al. Platelet regulation of myeloid suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 accelerates atherosclerosis. Sci Transl Med. 2019;11(517).

Sharma M, Schlegel M, Brown EJ, Sansbury BE, Weinstock A, Afonso MS, et al. Netrin-1 Alters Adipose Tissue Macrophage Fate and Function in Obesity. Immunometabolism. 2019;1(2)

Korner A, Schlegel M, Kaussen T, Gudernatsch V, Hansmann G, Schumacher T, et al. Sympathetic nervous system controls resolution of inflammation via regulation of repulsive guidance molecule A. Nat Commun. 2019

2018
Schlegel M, Korner A, Kaussen T, Knausberg U, Gerber C, Hansmann G, et al. Inhibition of neogenin fosters resolution of inflammation and tissue regeneration. JCI. 2018.

Korner A, Schlegel M, Theurer J, Frohnmeyer H, Adolph M, Heijink M, Giera M, Rosenberger P, Mirakaj V. Resolution of inflammation and sepsis survival are improved by dietary Omega-3 fatty acids. Cell Death Differ. 2018.

Older
König K, Granja T, Eckle VS, Mirakaj V, Köhler D, Schlegel M, Rosenberger P. Inhibition of Plexin C1 Protects Against Hepatic Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury. Crit Care Med. 2016

Schlegel M, Kohler D, Korner A, Granja T, Straub A, Giera M, Mirakaj V. The neuroimmune guidance cue netrin-1 controls resolution programs and promotes liver regeneration. Hepatology. 2015

Schlegel M, Granja T, Kaiser S, Korner A, Henes J, Konig, Straub A, Rosenberger P, Mirakaj V. Inhibition of Neogenin Dampens Hepatic Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury. Crit Care Med. 2014

Schlegel M, Steiert I, Kötter I, Müller CA. B cells contribute to heterogeneity of IL-17 producing cells in rheumatoid arthritis and healthy controls. PLoS One. 2013