Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) are heterogenic and rare muscle diseases featuring a progressive, autoimmune destruction of muscle tissue by infiltrating immune cells. The immune-cell infiltration is regulated by an interaction of endothelial- and muscle cells forming a functional “myovascular” unit. The potassium channel TREK1, has been implicated as important regulator of immune-cell infiltration into the brain. Therefore, this project will elucidate the regulatory role of TREK1 by a comprehensive and in-depth characterization of TREK1 expression and function in the myovascular unit. These insights will provide a deeper understanding of the regulatory mechanisms underlying muscular immune cell infiltration and might help to identify new, urgently needed, therapeutic targets.

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