Mechanistic insights into morbillivirus-induced immunosuppression and antiviral responses (B12*)

This goal of this project is to characterize the interactions of morbilliviruses with immune cells, which are direct targets of infection, and to investigate the mechanisms causing immunosuppression, as well as defining antiviral programs that eventually clear the infection in vivo. We use canine distemper virus infections of ferrets as a model system, in which we observe a similar immunosuppression as with measles virus in humans. We will characterize the virus-induced changes in immune organs on a cellular and molecular level.

DFG Programme Collaborative Research Centres

Subproject of SFB 1021:  RNA Viruses: RNA Metabolism, Host Response and Pathogenesis

Applicant Institution Philipps-Universität Marburg

Co-Applicant Institution Paul-Ehrlich-Institut
Bundesinstitut für Impfstoffe und biomedizinische Arzneimittel

Project Heads Dr. Christian Pfaller, until 12/2022; Bevan Sawatsky, Ph.D.