This CD Laboratory investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying chronic inflammatory skin diseases and how these processes change in response to specific treatments. The goal is to develop new therapeutic approaches and identify biomarkers that can predict treatment responses. The opening symposium features talks by local and international experts in skin inflammation and tissue-resident immune memory, that will set the stage for future research and advancements in the field.
According to the World Health Organization, chronic inflammation is one of the greatest threats to human health. Chronic inflammatory skin diseases, such as psoriasis, not only cause physical discomfort but also carry a significant psychological and social burden due to stigma. Additionally, they can impact other organs, leading to conditions like psoriatic arthritis, which affects peripheral joints, or psoriatic spondylitis, which targets the spine. Despite significant advancements in targeted therapies, the role of key immune cells in cutaneous inflammation remains incompletely understood. A deeper understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms driving inflammation—and how these change under treatment—could open new avenues for long-term disease control.
A major focus of the CD Laboratory is on tissue-resident memory T cells (TRM) in the skin and subcutaneous fat tissue. Using psoriasis as a model disease, the lab investigates how these cells respond to specific biologic therapies. To achieve this, researchers analyze cellular and molecular networks within various skin compartments - including the epidermis, dermis, subcutaneous adipose tissue, and the hair follicle niche - throughout the course of treatment.
The scientific work of the CD Laboratory is centered on three main objectives:
- Identifying TRM from adipose tissue as key players in chronic skin inflammation.
- Mapping molecular targets of pathogenic T cells to uncover novel therapeutic strategies.
- Characterizing potential molecular patterns as biomarkers for predicting therapy response, with the goal of validating these findings in future studies.
By addressing these objectives, this CD Laboratory makes a significant contribution to the understanding of chronic inflammatory skin diseases and the development of innovative treatment strategies.
Program
1:00 pm
Opening of CD Laboratory for Chronic inflammatory skin diseases
Welcome
- Michaela Fritz, Vice Rector for Research and Innovation, MedUni Vienna
- Sylvia Knapp, Member of the Senate of the Christian Doppler Research Association
Presentation of the CD Laboratory for Chronic Inflammatory Skin Diseases
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Georg Stary, Head of the CD Laboratory for Chronic Inflammatory Skin Diseases
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Sara Leitao, Managing Director Janssen-Cilag Pharma GmbH, a Johnson & Johnson company
Moderation: Wolfgang Peter Weninger, Head of the Department of Dermatology, MedUni Vienna
Get-together
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2:30 pm
Symposium on Chronic Inflammatory Skin Diseases
Introduction
- Georg Stary, Department of Dermatology, MedUni Vienna/University Hospital Vienna/ Center for Molecular Medicine (CeMM)
Session I
- Microenvironmental cues to persisting T cell memory formation in human skin
Liv Eidsmo, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital: - Psoriasis: molecular endotypes and treatment resistance
Michel Gilliet, Department of Dermatology, CHUV University Hospital and University of Lausanne - Unexpected insights into inflammatory skin diseases
Johannes Griss, Department of Dermatology, MedUni Vienna
04:20 - 04.40 pm Break
Session II
- Human skin in development and disease
Muzlifah Haniffa, Welcome Sanger Institute and Newcastle University - T cell-mediated fibroblast reprogramming drives chronic granulomatous inflammation
Aglaja Kopf, Department of Dermatology, MedUni Vienna/ Center for Molecular Medicine (CeMM) - Tissue-resident memory T cells in chronic inflammation
Johanna Strobl, Department of Dermatology, MedUni Vienna/ Center for Molecular Medicine (CeMM) - How T cells recognize skin targets: from immune checkpoint inhibitor-mediated toxicity to inflammatory dermatoses
Lukas Flatz, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Tuebingen
06:30 pm Farewell
Registration
Partner
In Christian Doppler Laboratories, application-oriented basic research is pursued at a high level, and expert scientists cooperate with innovative companies. The Christian Doppler Research Association is an international best practice example for promoting this collaboration.
Christian Doppler Laboratories are financed jointly by the public purse and the participating companies. The most important public sponsor is the Federal Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism (BMWET).
Johnson & Johnson is one of the world's leading life science companies, operating in the two segments Innovative Medicine (pharmaceutical division, formerly Janssen) and MedTech (medical technology division). With the aim of shaping the healthcare solutions of tomorrow, the company invests around 11 billion euros annually in research and development in the pharmaceutical division. Together with a broad network of partners and collaborations, J&J sees itself as a driver of medical innovations and therapeutic solutions in five focus areas: Immunology, Oncology, Neuroscience, Cardio-Pulmonology and Specific Ophthalmology. J&J Innovative Medicine Austria works with a team of over 150 employees to expand local research initiatives and promote early access to innovative medicines in Austria.
Siteplan
Jugendstilhörsaal, Rectorate building (BT88), 2nd floor
Spitalgasse 23, 1090 Vienna