Chronic infection with hepatitis viruses can lead to liver cirrhosis as well as hepatocellular carcinoma and is a major global health challenge. We are focussing on chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis D virus (HDV): HDV is dependent on the HBV envelope for its viral life cycle, and therefore only occurs as a co- or super-infection together with HBV. Approved therapeutic options are insufficient, and novel therapeutic regimens will likely need to combine different approaches including immunotherapy. In both chronic hepatitis B and D, the activated immune system mediates liver damage, but fails to clear the infection. 

We are particularly interested in how the adaptive non-specific immune system, as well as interferon signaling, affects the bimodal spread of HDV within the liver (see also https://www.trr179.de/en/science/project-overview/tp15/u/15/). We use cell culture systems and clinical human samples for a translational approach. Another interest is the improvement of testing for HDV co-infection, as worldwide it is likely severely under-diagnosed. To this end, we are working with various national and international collaborators. Clinical studies (Virushepatitis) are listed here.