AG Kathrin Sutter
Forschungsschwerpunkte
- Typ I Interferone: Immunmodulation und antivirale Therapie
- Interferon-alpha Subtypen
- Modulation von Immunzellen
- Immuntherapien
- chronische Virusinfektionen (HIV, HBV)
- IFN-stimulierte Gene
- NK-Zellen
Projekt
Während den meisten Virusinfektionen ist die erste Immunantwort charakterisiert durch die Induktion von Typ I Interferon (IFN). IFN gehört zu einer Genfamilie, welche bis zu 13 verschiedene IFN-α Subtypen und IFN-β mit einschließt. Diese Interferone weisen alle unterschiedliche biologische Aktivitäten auf wie z.B. antivirale, anti-proliferative und immunmodulatorische Eigenschaften. Nach ihrer Induktion, binden alle Interferone an den gleichen Rezeptor, was zu der Expression zahlreicher verschiedener IFN-stimulierter Gene führt, welche für antivirale Proteine kodieren, die direkt die virale Replikation inhibieren wie auch die Funktion von Immunzellen modulieren. Daher ist die Induktion von Typ I IFN ein wirkungsvolles Mittel gegen Virusinfektionen anzukämpfen. Viele Viren haben Wege gefunden der IFN-Antwort zu entgehen. Deshalb sollte die therapeutische Gabe von exogenem Typ I IFN ein großes Potential für zukünftige Immuntherapien gegen Virusinfektionen besitzen. Die Arbeitsgruppe ist hauptsächlich interessiert an den verschiedenen antiviralen und immunmodulatorischen Eigenschaften aller humanen und murinen IFN-α Subtypen in akuten und chronischen Virusinfektionen. Ein besonderer Augenmerk liegt auf der Induktion der verschiedenen Subtypen, deren Regulation und ihren erschiedenen biologischen Eigenschaften besonders die Modulation von Immunantworten.
During most viral infections, the immediate host response is characterized by an induction of type I Interferon (IFN). IFN belongs to a multigene family that includes up to 13 different IFN-α subtypes and IFN-β, which have various biological activities, including anti-viral, anti-proliferative and immunomodulatory effects. After induction, they all bind to the same receptor, which results in the expression of numerous different IFN-stimulated genes which encode anti-viral proteins that directly inhibit viral replication as well as modulate immune function. Thus, the induction of type I IFN is a very powerful tool for the host to fight virus infections. Many viruses evade this response by various strategies. Therefore, the therapeutic application of exogenous type I IFN should be of great potential for future immunotherapies against viral infections. The research group is mainly focusing on the various antiviral and immunomodulatory activities of the different human and murine IFN-α subtypes in acute and chronic viral infections. We are interested in the induction of the subtypes, their regulation and their different biological activities especially the modulation of immune responses.
Arbeitsgruppe
group leader

PD Dr. rer nat. Kathrin Sutter (geb. Gibbert)
kathrin.sutter@uni-due.de
0201-723-83250
Bachelor Student
Julia Boesner
Raum 2.051
0201-723-4050
Publikationen
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Dietary lipid overload creates a suppressive environment that impedes the antiviral functions of NK cellsIn: iScience, Jg. 28, 2025, Nr. 5, 112396DOI (Open Access)
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Diketopiperazine/piperidine alkaloid as a potential broad-spectrum coronaviral entry inhibitor identified by supercomputer-based virtual screening from a large natural product-based libraryIn: Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, Jg. 183, 2025, 117841DOI (Open Access)
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Functional B cell deficiency promotes intrahepatic HBV replication and impairs the development of anti-HBV T cell responsesIn: Hepatology International, Jg. 19, 2025, Nr. 1, S. 93 – 105
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Identification of nsp16 inhibitors of SARS -CoV-2, SARS -CoV-1 and MERS-CoV from FDA-approved drugs using in silico and in vitro methodsIn: Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, Jg. 189, 2025, 118246DOI (Open Access)
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Interferon-induced immune signatures are associated with suppression of HEV infection in porcine cell culture modelsIn: Emerging Microbes & Infections, Jg. 14, 2025, Nr. 1, 2525269DOI (Open Access)
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Iron improves the antiviral activity of NK cellsIn: Frontiers in Immunology, Jg. 15, 2025, 1526197DOI, Online Volltext (Open Access)
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Regulatory T cells suppress TLR9-induced formation of intrahepatic myeloid-cell aggregates for T cell population expansion in liverIn: Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Jg. 214, 2025, Nr. 1, 24
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Divergent autoantibody and cytokine levels in COVID-19 sepsis patients influence survivalIn: Journal of Medical Virology, Jg. 96, 2024, Nr. 10, e29935DOI (Open Access)
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IFNα Subtypes in HIV Infection and ImmunityIn: Viruses, Jg. 16, 2024, Nr. 3, 364DOI, Online Volltext (Open Access)
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Identification of nitrile-containing isoquinoline-related natural product derivatives as coronavirus entry inhibitors in silico and in vitroIn: Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, Jg. 180, 2024, 117517DOI (Open Access)
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Influenza virus infection enhances tumour-specific CD8+ T-cell immunity, facilitating tumour controlIn: PLoS Pathogens, Jg. 20, 2024, Nr. 1, e1011982DOI (Open Access)
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Receptor transfer between immune cells by autoantibody-enhanced, CD32-driven trogocytosis is hijacked by HIV-1 to infect resting CD4 T cellsIn: Cell Reports Medicine, Jg. 5, 2024, Nr. 4, 101483DOI (Open Access)
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Reduced vacuolar ATPase protects mice from Friend virus infection : An unintended but instructive effect in Hif-2afl miceIn: Journal of Cell Science, Jg. 137, 2024, Nr. 12, jcs261893DOI, Online Volltext (Open Access)
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The interferon-regulated host factor hnRNPA0 modulates HIV-1 production by interference with LTR activity, mRNA trafficking, and programmed ribosomal frameshiftingIn: Journal of Virology, Jg. 98, 2024, Nr. 7, e0053424
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A systematic comparison reveals dynamic differences in early adaptive immune responses of acute-resolving versus chronic HBV replicationIn: Journal of Medical Virology, Jg. 95, 2023, Nr. 3, e28670DOI (Open Access)
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Immunotherapy-induced cytotoxic T follicular helper cells reduce numbers of retrovirus-infected reservoir cells in B cell folliclesIn: PLoS Pathogens, Jg. 19, 2023, Nr. 10, e1011725DOI (Open Access)
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Macrophage migration inhibitory factor receptor CD74 expression is associated with expansion and differentiation of effector T cells in COVID-19 patientsIn: Frontiers in Immunology, Jg. 14, 2023, 1236374DOI, Online Volltext (Open Access)
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SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell responses wane profoundly in convalescent individuals 10 months after primary infectionIn: Virologica Sinica, Jg. 38, 2023, Nr. 4, S. 606 – 619DOI (Open Access)
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Targeted mutations in IFNα2 improve its antiviral activity against various virusesIn: mBio, Jg. 14, 2023, Nr. 6, e02357-23DOI, Online Volltext (Open Access)
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Tg1.4HBV-s-rec mice, a crossbred hepatitis B virus-transgenic model, develop mild hepatitisIn: Scientific Reports, Jg. 13, 2023, Nr. 1, 22829DOI, Online Volltext (Open Access)
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Distinct type I interferon subtypes differentially stimulate T cell responses in HIV1-infected individuals
DÖAK 2023 / German-Austrian AIDS Conference, Bonn, Germany, 23-25 March 2023,In: HIV Medicine. Hoboken: Wiley-Blackwell, Jg. 24, 2023, Nr. 1, S. 92 -
Effects of type I interferons on HIV latency
DÖAK 2023 / German-Austrian AIDS Conference, Bonn, Germany, 23-25 March 2023,In: HIV Medicine. Hoboken: Wiley-Blackwell, Jg. 24, 2023, Nr. S1, S. 82 -
Respiratory but not systemic viral infection induces tumour growth inhibition through CD8+T-cell activation
Joint Conference of the Société Française d'Immunologie (SFI) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Immunologie (DGfI) ; 26-29 September, 2023, Strasbourg, France,In: European Journal of Immunology. Hoboken: Wiley, Jg. 53, 2023, Nr. S2, Special issue: Abstracts: Joint Conference of the Société Française d'Immunologie (SFI) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Immunologie (DGfI), 26–29 September, 2023, Strasbourg, France, S. 189DOI (Open Access) -
A ribavirin-induced ORF2 single-nucleotide variant produces defective hepatitis E virus particles with immune decoy functionIn: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS), Jg. 119, 2022, Nr. 34, e2202653119DOI (Open Access)
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CD47 restricts antiviral function of alveolar macrophages during influenza virus infectionIn: iScience, Jg. 25, 2022, Nr. 12, 105540DOI (Open Access)
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Differential interferon-α subtype induced immune signatures are associated with suppression of SARS-CoV-2 infectionIn: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS), Jg. 119, 2022, Nr. 8, e2111600119DOI (Open Access)
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Distinct Type I Interferon Subtypes Differentially Stimulate T Cell Responses in HIV-1-Infected IndividualsIn: Frontiers in Immunology, Jg. 13, 2022, 936918DOI, Online Volltext (Open Access)
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Distinct effects of treatment with two different interferon-alpha subtypes on HIV-1-associated T-cell activation and dysfunction in humanized miceIn: AIDS, Jg. 36, 2022, Nr. 3, S. 325 – 336
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IFNAR1 Deficiency Impairs Immunostimulatory Properties of Neutrophils in Tumor-Draining Lymph NodesIn: Frontiers in Immunology, Jg. 13, 2022DOI (Open Access)
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IFNα subtype-specific susceptibility of HBV in the course of chronic infectionIn: Frontiers in Immunology, Jg. 13, 2022, 1017753DOI (Open Access)
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Immunotherapy With Interferon α11, But Not Interferon Beta, Controls Persistent Retroviral InfectionIn: Frontiers in Immunology, Jg. 12, 2022, 809774DOI, Online Volltext (Open Access)
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SRSF1 acts as an IFN-I-regulated cellular dependency factor decisively affecting HIV-1 post-integration stepsIn: Frontiers in Immunology, Jg. 13, 2022, 935800DOI (Open Access)
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Superior antiviral activity of IFNβ in genital HSV-1 infectionIn: Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, Jg. 12, 2022, 949036DOI, Online Volltext (Open Access)
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The Bovine Seminal Plasma Protein PDC-109 Possesses Pan-Antiviral ActivityIn: Viruses, Jg. 14, 2022, Nr. 9, 2031DOI, Online Volltext (Open Access)
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The Role of the Inhibitory Ligand HVEM and Its Receptors CD160 and BTLA in the Regulation of Anti-retroviral T Cell ResponsesIn: Frontiers in Virology, Jg. 2, 2022, 836291DOI, Online Volltext (Open Access)
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Analysis of the long-term impact on cellular immunity in COVID-19-recovered individuals reveals a profound nkt cell impairmentIn: mBio, Jg. 12, 2021, Nr. 2, S. e00085 – 21DOI (Open Access)
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Characterization of SARS-CoV-2-Specific Humoral and Cellular Immune Responses Induced by Inactivated COVID-19 Vaccines in a Real-World SettingIn: Frontiers in Immunology, Jg. 12, 2021, 802858DOI (Open Access)
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Functional Comparison of Interferon-α Subtypes Reveals Potent Hepatitis B Virus Suppression by a Concerted Action of Interferon-α and Interferon-γ SignalingIn: Hepatology, Jg. 73, 2021, Nr. 2, S. 486 – 502
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Longitudinal characterization of phenotypic profile of T cells in chronic hepatitis B identifies immune markers associated with HBsAg lossIn: eBioMedicine, Jg. 69, 2021, 103464DOI (Open Access)
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TLR4 Transactivates CD8⁺ T Lymphocytes upon Acute Sterile Tissue InjuryIn: ImmunoHorizons, Jg. 5, 2021, Nr. 5, S. 298 – 306DOI, Online Volltext (Open Access)
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A Crowned Killer’s Résumé : Genome, Structure, Receptors, and Origin of SARS-CoV-2In: Virologica Sinica, 2020DOI (Open Access)
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Die Einmischer: Interferone : Wie sie die Immunantwort beeinflussen, um Viren effektiv zu bekämpfenIn: Unikate: Berichte aus Forschung und Lehre, 2020, Nr. 54: Medizin: Infektionskrankheiten - ein globales Problem, S. 18 – 27DOI, Online Volltext (Open Access)
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Erratum for Westmeier et al., "Impaired Cytotoxic CD8⁺ T Cell Response in Elderly COVID-19 Patients"In: mBio, Jg. 11, 2020, Nr. 5, S. 02243 – 02220DOI (Open Access)
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HIV infection does not alter interferon α/β receptor 2 expression on mucosal immune cellsIn: PLoS ONE, Jg. 15, 2020, Nr. 1, S. e0218905DOI, Online Volltext (Open Access)
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Impaired cytotoxic CD8⁺ T cell response in elderly COVID-19 patientsIn: mBio, Jg. 11, 2020, Nr. 5, S. e02243 – 20DOI (Open Access)
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Overlapping and discrete aspects of the pathology and pathogenesis of the emerging human pathogenic coronaviruses SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and 2019-nCoVIn: Journal of Medical Virology, Jg. 92, 2020, Nr. 5, S. 491 – 494DOI, Online Volltext (Open Access)
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Qualitative differences between the IFNα subtypes and IFNβ influence chronic mucosal HIV-1 pathogenesisIn: PLoS Pathogens, Jg. 16, 2020, Nr. 10, S. 1008986DOI (Open Access)
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SERINC5 Is an Unconventional HIV Restriction Factor That Is Upregulated during Myeloid Cell DifferentiationIn: Journal of Innate Immunity, Jg. 12, 2020, Nr. 5, S. 399 – 409DOI (Open Access)
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Susceptibility of SARS-CoV-2 to UV irradiationIn: American Journal of Infection Control, Jg. 48, 2020, Nr. 10, S. 1273 – 1275DOI, Online Volltext (Open Access)
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Antiviral potential of human IFN-α subtypes against influenza A H3N2 infection in human lung explants reveals subtype-specific activitiesIn: Emerging Microbes & Infections, Jg. 8, 2019, Nr. 1, S. 1763 – 1776DOI (Open Access)
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Characterization of Endogenous SERINC5 Protein as Anti-HIV-1 FactorIn: Journal of Virology, Jg. 93, 2019, Nr. 24, S. e01221 – 19DOI (Open Access)
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Chronic retroviral infection of mice promotes tumor development, but CD137 agonist therapy restores effective tumor immune surveillanceIn: Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy, Jg. 68, 2019, Nr. 3, S. 479 – 488DOI, Online Volltext (Open Access)
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Concurrent administration of IFNα14 and cART in TKO-BLT mice enhances suppression of HIV-1 viremia but does not eliminate the latent reservoirIn: Scientific Reports, Jg. 9, 2019, S. 18089DOI, Online Volltext (Open Access)
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Different Biological Activities of Specific Interferon Alpha SubtypesIn: mSphere, Jg. 4, 2019, Nr. 4, e00127 - 19DOI (Open Access)
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Diverse immunomodulatory effects of individual IFNα subtypes on virus-specific CD8⁺ T cell responsesIn: Frontiers in Immunology, Jg. 10, 2019, 2255DOI, Online Volltext (Open Access)
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Friend retrovirus studies reveal complex interactions between intrinsic, innate and adaptive immunityIn: FEMS Microbiology Reviews, Jg. 43, 2019, Nr. 5, S. 435 – 456DOI, Online Volltext (Open Access)
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Guanylate-Binding Proteins 2 and 5 Exert Broad Antiviral Activity by Inhibiting Furin-Mediated Processing of Viral Envelope ProteinsIn: Cell Reports, Jg. 27, 2019, Nr. 7, S. 2092 – 2104.e10DOI (Open Access)
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PASylated interferon α efficiently suppresses hepatitis B virus and induces anti-HBs seroconversion in HBV-transgenic miceIn: Antiviral Research, Jg. 161, 2019, S. 134 – 143
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Plasmacytoid dendritic cells respond to Epstein-Barr virus infection with a distinct type I interferon subtype profileIn: Blood Advances, Jg. 3, 2019, Nr. 7, S. 1129 – 1144DOI (Open Access)
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An advanced BLT-humanized mouse model for extended HIV-1 cure studiesIn: AIDS, Jg. 32, 2018, Nr. 1, S. 1 – 10DOI, Online Volltext (Open Access)
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Hepatitis B virus sensitivity to interferon-α in hepatocytes is more associated with cellular interferon response than with viral genotypeIn: Hepatology, Jg. 67, 2018, Nr. 4, S. 1237 – 1252DOI (Open Access)
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Impact of immune suppressive agents on the BK-Polyomavirus non coding control regionIn: Antiviral Research, Jg. 159, 2018, S. 68 – 76
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Induction of Type I Interferons by Therapeutic Nanoparticle-Based Vaccination Is Indispensable to Reinforce Cytotoxic CD8+ T Cell Responses During Chronic Retroviral InfectionIn: Frontiers in Immunology, Jg. 9, 2018, 614DOI (Open Access)
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Interferon α subtypes in HIV infectionIn: Cytokine & Growth Factor Reviews, Jg. 40, 2018, S. 13 – 18
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Different antiviral effects of IFNα and IFNβ in an HBV mouse modelIn: Immunobiology, Jg. 222, 2017, Nr. 3, S. 562 – 570
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Different antiviral effects of IFNα subtypes in a mouse model of HBV infectionIn: Scientific Reports, Jg. 7, 2017, Nr. 1, S. 334DOI, Online Volltext (Open Access)
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Expression pattern of individual IFNA subtypes in chronic HIV infectionIn: Journal of Interferon & Cytokine Research, Jg. 37, 2017, Nr. 12, S. 541 – 549
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Fas Ligand-mediated cytotoxicity of CD4+ T cells during chronic retrovirus infectionIn: Scientific Reports, Jg. 7, 2017, S. 7785DOI (Open Access)
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Human pDCs display sex-specific differences in type I interferon subtypes and interferon α/β receptor expressionIn: European Journal of Immunology, Jg. 47, 2017, Nr. 2, S. 251 – 256
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Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α is essential for macrophage-mediated erythroblast proliferation in acute friend retrovirus infectionIn: Scientific Reports, Jg. 7, 2017, art. no. 17236DOI (Open Access)
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Inhibition of catecholamine degradation ameliorates while chemical sympathectomy aggravates the severity of acute Friend retrovirus infection in miceIn: Brain, Behavior and Immunity, Jg. 54, 2016, S. 252 – 259
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Insufficient natural killer cell responses against retroviruses : How to improve NK cell killing of retrovirus-infected cellsIn: Retrovirology, Jg. 13, 2016, Nr. 1, 77DOI (Open Access)
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Interferon alpha subtype-specific suppression of HIV-1 infection in vivoIn: Journal of Virology, Jg. 90, 2016, Nr. 13, S. 6001 – 6013DOI (Open Access)
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Activated regulatory T cells suppress effector NK cell responses by an IL-2-mediated mechanism during an acute retroviral infectionIn: Retrovirology, Jg. 12, 2015, Nr. 1, 66DOI (Open Access)
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Interferon-α subtypes in an ex vivo model of acute HIV-1 infection : expression, potency and effector mechanismsIn: PLoS Pathogens, Jg. 11, 2015, Nr. 11, S. e1005254DOI (Open Access)
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TLR ligand induced IL-6 counter-regulates the anti-viral CD8+ T cell response during an acute retrovirus infectionIn: Scientific Reports, Jg. 5, 2015, 10501DOI, Online Volltext (Open Access)
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Chemical modifications on siRNAs avoid Toll-like-receptor-mediated activation of the hepatic immune system in vivo and in vitroIn: International Immunology, Jg. 26, 2014, Nr. 1, S. 35 – 46
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Distinct roles of NK cells in viral immunity during different phases of acute Friend retrovirus infectionIn: Retrovirology, Jg. 10, 2013, Nr. 1, 127DOI (Open Access)
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IFN-α subtypes : Distinct biological activities in anti-viral therapyIn: British Journal of Pharmacology (BJP), Jg. 168, 2013, Nr. 5, S. 1048 – 1058DOI (Open Access)
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IFN-α treatment inhibits acute friend retrovirus replication primarily through the antiviral effector molecule Apobec3In: The Journal of Immunology (JI), Jg. 190, 2013, Nr. 4, S. 1583 – 1590
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Mouse SAMHD1 has antiretroviral activity and suppresses a spontaneous cell-intrinsic antiviral responseIn: Cell Reports, Jg. 4, 2013, Nr. 4, S. 689 – 696DOI (Open Access)
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Role of hypoxia inducible factor-1 α for interferon synthesis in mouse dendritic cellsIn: Biological Chemistry, Jg. 394, 2013, Nr. 4, S. 495 – 505
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Interferon-alpha Subtype 11 Activates NK Cells and Enables Control of Retroviral InfectionIn: PLoS Pathogens, Jg. 8, 2012, Nr. 8, S. e1002868DOI, Online Volltext (Open Access)
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Distinct antiviral activities of IFN-α subtypesIn: Immunotherapy, Jg. 3, 2011, Nr. 7, S. 813 – 816
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Transient depletion of regulatory T cells in transgenic mice reactivates virus-specific CD8⁺ T cells and reduces chronic retroviral set pointsIn: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS), Jg. 108, 2011, Nr. 6, S. 2420 – 2425DOI (Open Access)
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Virus-Specific CD8+ T Cells Upregulate Programmed Death-1 Expression during Acute Friend Retrovirus Infection but Are Highly Cytotoxic and Control Virus ReplicationIn: The Journal of Immunology (JI), Jg. 187, 2011, Nr. 7, S. 3730 – 3737
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CD40 ligand-triggered human dendritic cells mount interleukin-23 responses that are further enhanced by danger signalsIn: Molecular Immunology, Jg. 47, 2010, Nr. 6, S. 1255 – 1261
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Polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid treatment of Friend retrovirus-infected mice improves functional properties of virus-specific T cells and prevents virus-induced diseaseIn: The Journal of Immunology (JI), Jg. 185, 2010, Nr. 10, S. 6179 – 6189DOI (Open Access)



