546 Epidermal growth factor receptor as a key regulator of the immune privilege

Abstract

The immune privilege (IP) evolved to protect evolutionary important structures from immune cell recognition and destruction during inflammation. It is primarily based on the absence or downregulation of antigen presentation via major histocompatibility complex-I and the secretion of anti-inflammatory factors. The hair follicle stem cells represent the prime model for IP. IP development, maintenance and molecular mechanisms, however, are still ill-defined. We could recently demonstrate that the EGFR/ERK signalling axis in hair follicle stem cells is crucial during hair shaft emergence and skin barrier integrity.