Metabolic regulation of the virus-specific T cell response in viral hepatitis (21)

• Subject Area: Immunology
• Term: since 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 272983813

Exhausted virus-specific T cells with reduced antiviral function are enriched during unsuccessful immune responses in patients with chronic hepatitis B and C virus infection. Our previous work suggests that this is due to regulation of cellular metabolism. In this project, we aim to understand, by using a combination of cytometry and metabolic analyses, how changes in T cell metabolism influence the T cell response in viral hepatitis. We hypothesize that different metabolic programming secondary to differences in antigen recognition and inflammation determine the severity of T cell exhaustion.

• 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. Bertram Bengsch, Ph.D.