Universitatsklinikum Erlangen 4 articles published in JoVE Immunology and Infection siRNA Electroporation to Modulate Autophagy in Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1-Infected Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells Alexandra Düthorn1, Aykut Turan1, Christina Draßner1, Petra Mühl-Zürbes1, Christiane S Heilingloh1, Alexander Steinkasserer1, Linda Grosche1 1Department of Immune Modulation, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen In this study, we present inhibitor- and siRNA-based strategies to interfere with autophagic flux in Herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1)-infected monocyte-derived dendritic cells. Medicine Vagus Nerve Stimulation As an Adjunctive Neurostimulation Tool in Treatment-resistant Depression Sebastian Moeller1,2, Caroline Lücke2, Christian Heinen3, Bettina H. Bewernick2,4, Merve Aydin2, Alexandra P. Lam2, Teja W. Grömer5, Alexandra Philipsen2, Helge H.O. Müller2 1Universitätsklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, 2Universitätsklinikum Bonn AöR, Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie, 3Universitätsklinik für Neurochirurgie am Evangelischen Krankenhaus Oldenburg, Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, 4Klinik für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen und Gerontopsychiatrie, Abteilung für medizinische Psychologie, Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Bonn, 5Psychiatrische und Psychotherapeutische Klinik, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has been shown to be effective as an adjunct treatment for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). VNS leads to antidepressive and antisuicidal effects and quality of life improvements. This protocol offers a step-by-step guide to managing and adjusting a vagus nerve stimulator for efficient treatment of TRD. Developmental Biology Mechanism of Regulation of Adipocyte Numbers in Adult Organisms Through Differentiation and Apoptosis Homeostasis Aline Bozec1,2, Nicole Hannemann1,2 1Department of Medicine 3, Rheumatology and Immunology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, 2Nikolaus Fiebiger Center of Molecular Medicine, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen Adipose tissue (AT) can influence whole body homeostasis, therefore understanding the molecular mechanisms of adipocyte differentiation and function is of importance. We provide a protocol for gaining new insights into these processes by analyzing adipocyte homeostasis, differentiation and hypoxia exposure as a model for induced adipocyte apoptosis. Immunology and Infection Applying an Inducible Expression System to Study Interference of Bacterial Virulence Factors with Intracellular Signaling Christian Berens1,2, Stephanie Bisle3, Leonie Klingenbeck3, Anja Lührmann3 1Department Biologie, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität, 2Institut für Molekulare Pathogenese, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 3Mikrobiologisches Institut - Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen The method described here is used to induce the apoptotic signaling cascade at defined steps in order to dissect the activity of an anti-apoptotic bacterial effector protein. This method can also be used for inducible expression of pro-apoptotic or toxic proteins, or for dissecting interference with other signaling pathways.