Coordination Funds

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Retroviruses comprise a diverse group of exogenous and endogenous viruses defined by their unique replication strategy to reverse-transcribe their RNA genome into a complementary DNA. Millions of years of coevolution with their mammalian hosts gave rise to highly pathogenic as well as apathogenic members of this family of viruses and to species-specific differences in their pathologic potential. Evidence is emerging that cell-type specific cell-autonomous components of the innate immune system, including specialized pattern recognition receptors and broadly active antiviral restriction factors, represent key determinants of the fundamentally different outcomes of retroviral infections. However, the specific host cell machineries involved in recognizing retroviral infection, viral evasion strategies thereof, and their relative contribution to retroviral pathogenesis in specific target cells and organs remain to be defined. Priority Program SPP1923 (Innate sensing of restriction of retroviruses) thus aims at the identification of the full molecular sensing and restriction machinery involved in cell-autonomous immunity against retroviruses, its regulation, virus-encoded countermeasures, and pathophysiological consequences. During the first funding period of SPP1923, a strong collaborative research and training network of retrovirologists and innate immunologists was developed that defined novel important molecular mechanisms and cell-type or species-specific principles of retroviral sensing and restriction of retroviruses. Work during the second funding period will build on these findings and the interdisciplinary network established with the goal to gain detailed molecular and physiological understanding of these processes. Central funds are requested for an SPP office that assists the SPP coordinator in managing SPP activities and for networking activities such as SPP internal meetings, workshops, exchange of co-workers and an international SPP conference. Additional funds applied for will be used to specifically support female scientists and young families as well as for the presentation of SPP activities to the general public.