Reconstitution of potent antiviral CD8 T cell immunity to achieve elimination of infected hepatocytes during persistent HBV infection (05)

• Subject Area: Immunology ; Anatomy and Physiology
• Term: since 2016
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 272983813

We identified a liver tissue-rheostat as a regulator of HBV-specific CD8 T cell immunity and discovered auto-aggressive CD8 T cells as a cause of immune-mediated tissue pathology. The project now aims to target and overcome the regulatory control function of the liver tissue-rheostat acting on HBV-specific T cells, enabling immune-mediated control of chronic HBV infection in hepatocytes and enhancing the efficacy of therapeutic vaccination. We will elucidate the role of auto-aggressive T cells for the elimination of virus-infected hepatocytes and their cooperation with virus-specific CD8 effector T cells. Together, these results will provide knowledge on how to overcome regulatory cues in the liver.

• 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 Head: Professor Dr. Percy Alexander Knolle