Effects of persistent antiviral signalling on tissue homeostasis and antiviral immunity (11)

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

The cell-intrinsic antiviral system is highly potent, but imposes a massive perturbation onto cellular homeostasis, which is why it evolved to be strictly acute and transient. We investigate the consequences of prolonged stimulation of this defence program, as it occurs in the course of persistent virus infection, such as HCV. We examine both, the virus infected cell itself (counter regulation, refractoriness), as well as the effects of the cytokines, which it continuously secretes, onto non-infected neighbouring cells and onto cells of the immune system. We will address how this inflammatory milieu might contribute to the establishment of persistence of the viral infection.

• 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. Marco Binder; Professor Dr. Andreas Pichlmair