Our Research Focus
My group focusses on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of „necroinflammation“, the auto-amplification look of tissue inflammation and regulated cell necrosis. We are also interested in the the adaptive mechanisms to tissue injury that lead to tissue remodeling and atrophy. We hope to identify useful therapeutic targets to improve the outcome of patients with kidney disease. As part of the translational nature of all our projects we are experienced in preclinical drug testing together with industry partners.
Our Projects
The following aspects are of particular interest to our lab:
List of Publications
A list of all publications from the Anders Lab can be found on pubmed:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Anders+HJ&sort=date&size=200
Crystalline metabolites regulate neutrophil function
We will decipher the role of crystalline metabolites in triggering thromboinflammation and ischemic necrosis in the kidney. For this we developed a model of kidney cholesterol crystal embolism that triggers a crystalline thrombotic angiopathy, acute kidney injury and kidney infarction. This project is part of a national network of high profile neutrophil researchers (DFG TRR 332), hence we will focus on the role of neutrophils in this context.
Project-related publications
Shi C, Kim T, Steiger S, Mulay SR, Klinkhammer BM, Bäuerle T, Melica ME, Romagnani P, Möckel D, Baues M, Yang L, Brouns SLN,
Heemskerk JWM, Braun A, Lammers T, Boor P, Anders HJ. Crystal Clots as Therapeutic Target in Cholesterol Crystal Embolism. Circ Res. 2020 Apr 10;126(8):e37-e52.
Desai J, Kumar SV, Mulay SR, Konrad L, Romoli S, Schauer C, Herrmann M, Bilyy R, Müller S, Popper B, Nakazawa D, Weidenbusch M, Thomasova D, Krautwald S, Linkermann A, Anders HJ. PMA and crystal-induced neutrophil extracellular trap formation involves RIPK1-RIPK3-MLKL signaling. Eur J Immunol. 2016 Jan;46(1):223-9.
Ma Q, Immler R, Pruenster M, Sellmayr M, Li C, von Brunn A, von Brunn B, Ehmann R, Wölfel R, Napoli M, Li Q, Romagnani P, Böttcher RT, Sperandio M, Anders HJ, Steiger S. Soluble uric acid inhibits β2 integrin-mediated neutrophil recruitment in innate immunity. Blood. 2022 Jun 9;139(23):3402-3417.
Combination therapy of chronic kidney disease
We will perform a series of randomized controlled preclinical trials testing innovative combination therapies as add-on to RAS/SGLT2 blockade. We use Col4A3-/- mice with Alport nephropathy as a no-touch model of accelerated chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression. The primary endpoint is (kidney) lifespan as a strong patient-related clinical outcome. These studies will make a robust prediction on the outcome of subsequent clinical trials with patients at risk for CKD progression.
Project-related publications
Lei Y, Sehnert B, Voll RE, Jacobs-Cachá C, Jose Soler M, Sanchez-Niño MD, Ortiz A, Bülow RD, Boor P, Anders HJ. A multicenter blinded preclinical randomized controlled trial on Jak1/2 inhibition in MRL/MpJ-Fas lpr mice with proliferative lupus nephritis predicts low effect size. Kidney Int. 2021 Jun;99(6):1331-1341.
Motrapu M, Katarzyna Świderska M, Mesas I, Marschner JA, Lei Y, Martinez Valenzuela L, Fu J, Lee K, Angelotti ML, Antonelli G,
Romagnani P, Anders HJ, Anguiano L. Drug Testing for Residual Progression of Diabetic Kidney Disease in Mice Beyond Therapy with Metformin, Ramipril, and Empagliflozin. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2020 Aug;31(8):1729-1745.
Gross O, Licht C, Anders HJ, Hoppe B, Beck B, Tönshoff B, Höcker B, Wygoda S, Ehrich JHH, Pape L, Konrad M, Rascher W, Dötsch J, Müller-Wiefel DE, Hoyer P, Study Group Members of the Gesellschaft für Pädiatrische Nephrologie; Knebelmann B, Pirson Y, Grunfeld JP, Niaudet P, Cochat P, Heidet L, Lebbah S, Torra R, Friede T, Lange K, Müller GA, Weber M. Early angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition in Alport syndrome delays renal failure and improves life expectancy. Kidney Int. 2012 Mar;81(5):494-501.
Ninichuk V, Gross O, Reichel C, Khandoga A, Pawar RD, Ciubar R, Segerer S, Belemezova E, Radomska E, Luckow B, Perez de Lema G, Murphy PM, Gao JL, Henger A, Kretzler M, Horuk R, Weber M, Krombach F, Schlöndorff D, Anders HJ. Delayed chemokine receptor 1 blockade prolongs survival in collagen 4A3-deficient mice with Alport disease. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2005 Apr;16(4):977-85.
Healthy
kidney
Injured
kidney
Cell type-specific functions of HMGB1 and the NLRP3 inflammasome in the kidney
These two projects will decipher cell type-specific functions of molecules involved in kidney necroinflammation. We use transgenic mouse models that allow to specifically delete or overexpress these factors in specific types of cells in the kidney including podocytes, tubular epithelial cells, bone marrow-derived immune cells, and kidney-resident macrophages and dendritic cells.
Project-related publications
Thomasova D, Bruns HA, Kretschmer V, Ebrahim M, Romoli S, Liapis H, Kotb AM, Endlich N, Anders HJ. Murine Double Minute-2 Prevents p53-Overactivation-Related Cell Death (Podoptosis) of Podocytes. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2015 Jul;26(7):1513-23.
Mulay SR, Linkermann A, Anders HJ. Necroinflammation in Kidney Disease. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2016 Jan;27(1):27-39.
Anders HJ. Of Inflammasomes and Alarmins: IL-1β and IL-1α in Kidney Disease. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2016 Sep;27(9):2564-75.
Anders Lab - Necroinflammation and Regeneration
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Bibliography of Prof. Dr. med. Hans-Joachim Anders
I qualified as MD from the University of Würzburg 1995, where I performed my doctoral thesis in experimental cardiology. I started my clinical training as an internist at the LMU Munich and specialized in nephrology under the supervision of Professor Detlef Schlöndorff. Further clinical training included rheumatology and scientific training in immunology. Being a physician scientist, lupus and lupus nephritis is of my particular interest, clinically and experimentally. Since 2011 and currently I am the head of the renal division at the Inner City Campus of the LMU Klinikum and of the associated research laboratory. I have lectured widely across the world both on science and clinical nephrology. I was awarded the Outstanding Basic Science Contributions to Nephrology award by the European Renal Association in 2018 and received a Heisenberg Professorship in 2019.
Education and Academic Appointments
since 2019 Heisenberg Professor for Nephrology, LMU Munich
since 2012 Head of the Inner-City Nephrology Unit, University Hospital, LMU Munich
2017 Clinical Immunologist (DGfI)
1995 - 2011 Resident and consultant nephrologist, Department of Medicine IV, University Hospital, LMU Munich
1988 - 1994 Medical School, Universities of Göttingen and Würzburg
2005 Board certification in Rheumatology
2003 German Habilitation (Privatdozent, PD) in Internal Medicine, Medical Faculty, LMU Munich
2002 Board certification in Nephrology
2001 Board certification in Internal Medicine
1995 MD thesis, University Würzburg
Additional Qualifications, Awards and Activities
2023 Editor-in-Chief, Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation
2015 - present European Renal Association (ERA) Secretary of Scientific advisory board
2016 - present ERA Board of Immunonephrology Working Group
2018 Award for Outstanding Contributions to Basic Science in Nephrology, ERA
2014 - 2020 Dutch Kidney Foundation International Scientific Advisory Board
2017 - present International Society of Nephrology, West-European Board
2017 - 2022 Associate Editor, J Am Soc Nephrol and Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation
2014 - present Advisor: Nat Rev Nephrol
The Current Team
John Ku, PhD Student
I received my M.Sc. in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the LMU Munich and I joined the Anders Lab in October 2022 to pursue my doctoral thesis project at the Munich Medical Research School of the LMU Munich.
Danyang Zhao, PhD Student
I am a trained anaesthesiologist from China and I joined the Anders Lab in October 2020 to continue my studies as doctoral student at the Medical Faculty of the LMU Munich with a 3-year CSC scholarship.
Liang Chang, PhD Student
I received my M.Sc. in Clinical Medicine at the Harbin Medical University, China. With a 4-year CSC scholarship, I joined the Anders Lab in May 2023 to pursue my doctoral thesis project at the Medical Faculty of the LMU Munich.
Meisi Kuang, PhD Student/Veterinarian
I am a veterinarian, who graduated from the Tiho Hannover in Germany. In June 2021, I joined the Anders Lab to support the animal protection formalities and also pursue my doctoral thesis project at the Medical Faculty of the LMU Munich.
Hao Long, PhD Student
I am a trained urologist from China and I joined the Anders Lab in November 2021 to pursue my doctoral thesis project at the Medical Faculty of the LMU Munich. For this I secured a CSC scholarship for four years.
Cong Li, PhD Student
I am an urologist with Chinese medical doctor practicing license and qualification. With a 3-year CSC scholarship, I joined the Anders Lab in December 2020 to pursue my doctoral thesis project at the Medical Faculty of the LMU Munich.
Linus Schreier, MD Student
I study medicine at the Medical Faculty of the LMU Munich. I joined the Anders Lab in 2023 to pursue my doctoral thesis at the Medical Faculty of the LMU Munich.
Chao Han, PhD Student
I am a trained urologist from China, and I joined the Anders Lab and Bach Group in October 2021 to pursue my doctoral thesis project at the Medical Faculty of the LMU Munich. I secured a CSC scholarship, and my research interest is about cancer clot and inflammation in kidney disease
Funding
We gratefully acknowledge support for our work from the following funding sources
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
(DFG) - Research grants
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
- Heisenberg Program
(Heisenberg professorship)
Else-Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung
Promotionskollegs München - Förderung der Forschung zur Entzündung - FöFoLe-Entzündung (Speaker)
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
SFB-TRR 332 "Neutrophil: Origin, Fate and Function"
(Project A7)
Xiaoxin Li, PhD Student
I received my M.Sc. in Genetics from China and I joined the Anders Lab in November 2023 to pursue my doctoral thesis project at the Medical Faculty of the LMU Munich. For this I secured a CSC scholarship for four years.
Hao Deng, PhD Student
I joined the Anders Lab in November 2023 to pursue my doctoral thesis project at the Medical Faculty of the LMU Munich. For this I secured a CSC scholarship for four years.
Contact
Kidney Immunology Laboratory
University Hospital
Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich
Clinical Unit:
Nephrologisches Zentrum
Ziemssenstr. 5, 80336 Munich
Research Unit:
Kidney Immunology Laboratory, Med. IV
Goetherstr. 31, 80336 Munich
Partners
BMC - Biomedical Research Center Munich
Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV LMU Munich
University of Florence
University of Cracow
TRR 332 - Collaborative Research Center 332
TRR 156 - Collaborative Research Center 156