Effects of constitutive cytokine signalling on tissue homeostasis and liver cell-intrinsic responsiveness to hepatitis virus infection (11)

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

We have previously discovered a major impact of the cytokine milieu onto the sensitivity of tissue cells towards virus infection. We will now study the interplay of immune cells as major producers of cytokines and parenchymal cells. We hypothesize that inter-individual differences in immune cell activity might decisively shape the antiviral responsiveness in the liver, and contribute to the clinical outcome of HCV infection (acute self-resolving vs. persisting infection). We will further investigate the molecular mechanisms behind hepatocyte priming, and analyse the reciprocal interaction between parenchymal cells and immune cells.

• 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. Claudia Beisel, since 7/2024; Dr. Marco Binder; Professor Dr. Andreas Pichlmair, until 6/2024