The role of the hematopoietic and the lymphatic system in the pathogenesis of SARS coronavirus infection

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Frank Torsten Hufert
• Subject Area: Virology
• Term: from 2004 to 2008
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5437775

In this project we will study the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV) infection. We will mainly focus on pathomechanisms driving the destruction of lymphatic tissue, lung tissue and bone marrow. In the first part we will analyze cell tropism of the virus in vitro and in vivo and determine whether apoptosis is a main cause of cell death. In the second part functional impairments of hematopoietic and of lymphatic cells such as macrophages and dendritic cells will be investigated. Since hemorrhagic fever-like changes and capillary leakage were found in SARS-CoV infected patients, we will study the interaction of the cytoskeleton and the tight junction regulation upon SARS-CoV infection in the third part of this work. To study the different pathomechanisms involved in SARS-CoV infection should help us to improve therapeutic approaches and vaccine development.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: China
• Participating Persons: Professor Dr. Yanqing Ding; Professor Dr. Jijun Wang