Metabolic regulation of mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cell anti-viral function against hepatitis B virus infection (25*)

• Subject Area: Immunology ; Gastroenterology ; Virology
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 272983813

We will determine the effector function of human MAIT cells against HBV in detail. First, we will analyse MAIT cell effector function in a comprehensive cohort of human patients infected with HBV using single cell RNA sequencing, multi-colour spectral flow cytometry and spatial transcriptomics. Moreover, we will determine the ability of MAIT cells to limit HBV replication and to kill HBV infected cells in an in vitro co-culture approach. Finally, we will unravel the role of immunemetabolism for MAIT cell anti-viral effector function using measurement of bioenergetic parameters and flow cytometry, in order to identify novel targets to enhance MAIT cell effector function against HBV.

• 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: Katrin Böttcher, Ph.D.