© Heiko Barg

B04: Dendritic cells as cellular targets of gut-liver communication in chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinogenesis.

Our group aims to define how alterations of the gut-liver axis shape the function of hepatic dendritic cells (DCs) and modulate immune responses and outcome during chronic liver injury (CLD) and hepatocarcinogenesis (HCC).

In this project we will

  • comprehensively characterize phenotype and function of hepatic DCs during CLD and HCC in men and mice
  • assess the impact of intestinal passage of DC progenitors, gut microbiota and intestinal permeability on hepatic DC phenotype, distribution and function in humans and mice
  • characterize in vivo the functional impact of increased intestinal permeability and microbiota alteration on CLD and HCC progression via DC modulations

Involved scientists

Priv. Doz. Dr. med. Marie-Luise Berres
Department of Medicine III,
RWTH Aachen University

Publications within Project B04