Ursula Rescher

Research Topic

We are focused on the complex molecular and cellular mechanisms that control the host inflammatory response, especially the signaling events that lead to changes in cellular structure and function.

Receptors on the cell surface sense and respond to extracellular ligands and transmit the signals to the cell interior. We are particularly interested in the signal transduction pathways elicited through G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). We address the dynamics of signaling complexes at the cell surface and the endocytotic mechanisms that govern receptor trafficking and signal termination. We are especially interested in the function of the late endosome, an important hub for the segregation of incoming cargo and also the site of the endosomal escape for Influenza A as well as other enveloped viruses.

Our comprehensive range of molecular, biochemical and cellular methods includes analysis of gene regulation through microarray and quantitative Real-Time PCR technique, analyses of protein functions in vitro and in vivo using biochemical techniques, cell models, flow cytometry and microscopy.

Selected Publications

  • Schloer, S., Goretzko, J., Pleschka, S., Ludwig, S., and Rescher, U. (2020). Combinatory Treatment with Oseltamivir and Itraconazole Targeting Both Virus and Host Factors in Influenza A Virus Infection. Viruses 12, E703.
  • Boltersdorf, T., Ansari, J., Senchenkova, E. Y., Groeper, J., Pajonczyk, D., Vital, S. A., Kaur, G., Alexander, J. S., Vogl, T., Rescher, U., Long, N. J., and Gavins, F. N. E. (2020). Targeting of Formyl Peptide Receptor 2 for in vivo imaging of acute vascular inflammation. Theranostics 10, 6599-6614.
  • Schloer, S., Goretzko, J., Kühnl, A., Brunotte, L., Ludwig, S., and Rescher U. (2019). The clinically licensed antifungal drug itraconazole inhibits influenza virus in vitro and in vivo. Emerg Microbes Infect 8, 80
  • Kühnl, A., Musiol, A., Heitzig, N., Johnson, D. E., Ehrhardt, C., Grewal, T., Gerke, V., Ludwig, S., and Rescher U. (2018), Late Endosomal/Lysosomal Cholesterol Accumulation Is a Host Cell-Protective Mechanism Inhibiting Endosomal Escape of Influenza A Virus. mBio 9, e01345.
  • Schloer, S., Pajonczyk, D., and Rescher, U. (2018). Annexins in Translational Research: Hidden Treasures to Be Found. Int J Mol Sci 19, 1781.
  • Matos, A. L. L., Grill, D., Kudruk, S., Heitzig, N., Galla, H. J., Gerke, V., and Rescher U. Dissipative Microgravimetry to Study the Binding Dynamics of the Phospholipid Binding Protein Annexin A2 to Solid-supported Lipid Bilayers Using a Quartz Resonator. (2018). J Vis Exp, doi: 10.3791/58224. 1
  • Schulze, U., Vollenbröker, B., Kühnl, A., Granado, D., Bayraktar, S., Rescher, U., Pavenstädt, H., and Weide, T. (2017). Cellular vacuolization caused by overexpression of the PIKfyve-binding deficient Vac14L156R is rescued by starvation and inhibition of vacuolar-ATPase. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Res 1864, 749-759.
  • Heitzig, N., Brinkmann, B. F., Koerdt, S. N., Rosso, G., Shahin, V., Rescher, U. (2017). Annexin A8 promotes VEGF-A driven endothelial cell sprouting. Cell Adh Migr 11, 275-287.
  • Poeter, M., Brandherm, I., Rossaint, J., Rosso, G., Shahin, V., Skryabin, B. V., Zarbock, A., Gerke, V., and Rescher U. (2014). Annexin A8 controls leukocyte recruitment to activated endothelial cells via cell surface delivery of CD63. Nat Commun 5, 3738.
  • Musiol, A., Gran, S., Ehrhardt, C., Ludwig, S., Grewal, T., Gerke, V., and Rescher U. (2013). Annexin A6-balanced late endosomal cholesterol controls influenza A replication and propagation. MBio 4, :e00608-13.