Marianne Ruhl

Analysis of the interaction between antiviral CD8 T cells and the evolution of Hepatitis C Virus

Infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is worldwide a major health burden. One characteristic of HCV is its enormous sequence variability. Interestingly, similar to the development of drug resistance, mutations are rapidly selected in targeted regions of the cellular immune response enabling escape from antiviral CD8 T cells. Here, we take advantage of a large HCV genotype 1b outbreak that occurred in 1977/78 in East Germany by infusion of HCV contaminated immunoglobulins. This cohort provides an excellent opportunity to study the mechanisms of mutational adaptation of HCV to T cell immune pressure.
We collect samples from the Anti-D cohort and type the HLA. Furthermore, we amplify and sequence the complete nonstructural proteins. Based on this data we can analyze viral adaptation to CD8 T cell immune pressure. Additional functional studies of the impact of escape mutations on viral fitness and the immune response will help to identify the factors influencing viral evolution at the population level.

1st supervisor: PD Dr. Jörg Timm
2nd supervisor: Dr. Harald Engler

Institute:
Department of Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen

Telephone: +49 (0)201 - 723 - 2875
E-mail: marianne.ruhl@uni-due.de