Cornelia Bergmann PhD

Our research focuses on immune responses to viral infections in the central nervous system (CNS), with an emphasis on persistent infections and immune-pathology manifested by demyelination. Neurotropic coronavirus-induced encephalomyelitis is used to investigate how resident CNS cells trigger and modulate immune function. Although innate and adaptive immune responses join forces to control virus, it persists in the CNS at low levels. Our goal is to dissect the contribution of distinct lymphocyte subsets to long-term virus control as well as demyelinating disease. These insights will assist in developing strategies not only to combat acute CNS infections, but also to maintain control of endogenous viruses during immunemodulatory treatment of autoimmune inflammation. Three projects are under way: 1. Characterization of innate immune responses in glia. We are investigating how type I interferon induced antiviral activities (OAS/RNaseL, PKR, IFIT1/2) affect viral control in distinct cell types. 2. Regulation of CNS-infiltrating T cells by inhibitory factors. Our studies revealed that efficient viral control by CD8 T cells is dampened by inhibitory factors but enhanced by CD4 T cells, which are also major effectors of pathology. Efforts are underway to understand the mechanisms underlying CD4 T cell help to CD8 T cells on one side, but enhanced neuronal damage on another. 3. Maintenance of humoral immunity within the CNS. Intrathecal antibody-secreting cells control virus re-emergence during the persistent phase of infection. Various transgenic and knockout mice are used to characterize factors regulating B cell entry, differentiation and maintenance within the CNS.