B1 Goerdt_Geraud

Liver-sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC) play an essential role as protective scavenger cells for the whole organism as stabilin-1/2-deficient mice show severe organ dysfunction. Comprehensive molecular analyses revealed several functional gene clusters including transcription factors such as GATA4 to determine the organ-specific differentiation program of LSEC. The major aim for the next funding period is to investigate hepatic endothelial differentiation and reprogramming. To this end the inter-connective network of transcription factors, miRNAs, signalling pathways and their target genes in LSEC differentiation and their impact on LSEC functions will be analysed. To study decisive LSEC genes such as Gata-4 and BMP2 in liver biology and pathology in vivo, a LSEC-specific (stab2) Credeleter mouse will be generated.