Dendritic cells (DC) are a heterogeneous family of cells composed of different subsets with specialized functions. Conventional DC (cDC) are professional antigen presenting cells and responsible for induction of naïve T-cell responses. They are composed of several subsets with functional specialization in promoting Th1, Th2 or Th17 responses. Plasmacytoid DC (pDC) are specialized in production of interferon type I in response to nucleic acids, in particular during virus infections. This functional classification of DC subsets is established in the mouse and it is now clear that species-specific differences can be found. Therefore, one of our main interest is the identification and functional characterization of DC in veterinary animals.
Another long-standing focus in our lab is macrophage-virus interactions in the context of macrophage-tropic virus infections such as PRRSV, CSFV and ASFV. We are interested to understand how macrophages are modulated by various factors such as cytokines, tissue environment and metabolites, and how they interact with other cells of the immune system.
Funding:
- ERAnet/ICRAD. African swine fever pathogenesis and immune responses in resistant and susceptible hosts. (ICRAD)
- Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office, Grant 1.20.01. Harnessing trained immunity to enhance resistance of piglets against infections
