The group of Prof. Lang studies molecular and cellular immunological mechanism which can influence the outcome of human disease. This includes immunopathology occurring during autoimmune disease, infectious disease, tumor disease and transplantation.

In particular we analyze how host molecules influence virus replication in different cell subsets. Strong suppression of virus replication (i.e.: in Kupffer cells, red pulp macrophages) is essential to prevent virus propagation and chronic virus infection. In contrast some cell subsets in secondary lymphatic organs (i.e.: CD169⁺ macrophages and dendritic cells) do not induce antiviral status and therefore strongly replicate virus. This “enforced viral replication” is essential for immune activation against certain types of viruses.

Which molecules influence virus replication in certain cell types and how this induces immune activation and/or immunopathology is one major project in the lab.