Fate and function of scarred virus-specific T cells in chronic viral hepatitis (01)

• Subject Area: Virology ; Gastroenterology ; Immunology
• Term: since 2016
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 272983813

In HCV patients cured by antiviral therapy, HCV-specific CD8+ T cells exhibit a molecular signature of T cell exhaustion resembling a chronic scar. We hypothesize that this chronic T cell scarring reflects functional adaptation and involves not only infection-specific, but also overarching general regulatory mechanisms. We now aim to analyse intrinsic and extrinsic T cell regulators as well as the influence of clinically relevant parameters and comorbidities on virus-specific T cell scarring.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 179: Determinants and dynamics of elimination versus persistence of hepatitis virus infection
• Applicant Institution: Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
• Project Heads: Dr. Maike Hofmann, until 6/2020; Professor Dr. Robert Thimme