Project Details
Projekt
Hepatic tolerance in chronic equine hepacivirus infection
Subject Area
Veterinary Medical Science
Term
since 2020
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 438777365
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the most frequent medical indication for liver transplantation in humans worldwide. The virus displays a narrow host species tropism and naturally only infects humans, although chimpanzees may be infected experimentally. The restricted host range has hampered the development of a robust immunocompetent animal model, which in turn has hindered the mechanistic analysis of virus pathogenesis and immune control. The most closely related animal hepacivirus (HV) is found in horses, the equine hepacivirus (EqHV). EqHV, similar to HCV, can cause acute and chronic infections, with viremia lasting for months to years. As in HCV, the major determinants of an effective immune response have not been identified. So far there are no preventive or therapeutic approaches available. Thus, the development of a novel general approach for innovative and rational design of vaccines and therapeutic measures is urgently needed. In this project we aim to evaluate the immunological impact of therapeutic vaccination against EqHV infection in chronically infected horses. These findings will enhance our knowledge of an immunocompetent host immune response to hepacivirus specific vaccination and infection. In addition to providing insights into the horse’s immune response, the system holds great potential as a surrogate model for a potential therapeutic strategy against HCV in humans. We will generate four different recombinant MVA viruses expressing the EqHV-E1/E2, EqHV-NS3, EqHV-NS5B antigens and test whether MVA-based vaccination can safely induce vector specific and EqHV-specific T-cell responses and lead to a reduction in viral load in EqHV infected horses.
DFG Programme
Research Grants
International Connection
Austria
Partner Organisation
Fonds zur Förderung der wissenschaftlichen Forschung (FWF)
Cooperation Partner
Dr. Jessika M. Cavalleri
