The impact of HCV and HIV on human B cells and its role in B cell lymphoproliferative disorders (B10 [A02])

• Subject Area: Virology
• Term: Funded in 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 47100475

Project B10 investigates the B cell repertoire in chronic HCV and HIV infection and influences of the infection on the development of lymphoproliferative disorders. In previous studies expanded B cell clones were detected in the blood of HCV patients. However, HCV-associated lymphomas did not shown higher mutation loads than other lymphomas. In the next funding period the focus will shift to the B cell repertoire and lymphomagenesis in HIV-infected individuals. The hypotheses are that the B cell compartment and receptor repertoire are disturbed in HIV patients even under successful ART, and that HIV has a direct lymphomagenic effect. Together with PI Hoffmann (B1) a computational tool was developed to characterize the complexity of the B cell receptor repertoire.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 60: Mutual Interaction of Viruses with Cells of the Immune System: From Fundamental Research to Immunotherapy and Vaccination
• Applicant Institution: Universität Duisburg-Essen
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Jan Dürig; Professor Dr. Ralf Küppers