Protective early response patterns of innate cellular immune crosstalk in hemorrhagic fever virus infection (C01)

• Subject Area: Immunology
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 512741711

The main hypothesis is that strong activation of natural killer (NK) cells prevents viral spread and excessive tissue inflammation in viral haemorrhagic fevers. Using closely related pairs of pathogenic and apathogenic arena- and filoviruses, we will investigate how infected macrophages activate NK cells and what factors render them resistant to NK cell killing. We will use cerebral organoids to study the brain-specific macrophage response to viral infection, as rapid control of inflammation is essential in this tissue. The long-term goal is to identify targets for NK cell-based therapies to improve viral control and resolve inflammation.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1648: Emerging Viruses: Pathogenesis, Structure, Immunity
• Applicant Institution: Universität Hamburg
• Project Head: Dr. Angelique Hölzemer