They focus on deciphering host-pathogen interaction, in particular studies on dendritic cell (DC) modulation by the opsonization pattern of pathogens (HIV-1, fungi, bacteria) and within 3D tissues (entry portals). To address these issues, the group designed perfused disease models consisting of epithelial borders and relevant immune components (DCs, macrophages, neutrophils, complement, T and B cells). The models are also appropriate to study other diseases. More recently, they set up lung tumor organoids and cultures also containing the immune microenvironment. The work by Assoc.-Prof. Wilflingseder contributed to the knowledge that non-neutralizing HIV-1 antibodies attenuate the antigen-presenting capacity of DCs after e.g. vaccination (Posch et al, Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 2012) and that the opsonisation pattern of viruses and fungi as well as co-infection significantly impact DC functions (Banki/Posch et al, PLoS Pathogens, 2010; Posch et al, PLoS Pathogens, 2015; Steger et al, Virulence 2018; Schönfeld/Bermejo-Jambrina et al, Frontiers Immunology, 2019). Further, she is founder of the MUI animalFree Research Cluster and Board Member of CAAT (Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing) to promote animal replacement in basic and translational medical research.

Schönfeld M, Knackmuss U, Chandorkar P, Hörtnagl P, Hope TJ, Moris A, Bellmann-Weiler R, Lass-Flörl C, Posch W, Wilflingseder D. Co- but not Sequential Infection of DCs Boosts Their HIV-Specific CTL-Stimulatory Capacity. Front Immunol 10:1123 (2019).

Chandorkar P, Posch W, Zaderer V, Blatzer M, Steger M, Ammann CG, Binder U, Hermann M, Hörtnagl P, Lass-Flörl C, Wilflingseder D. Fast-track development of an in vitro 3D lung/immune cell model to study Aspergillus infections. Sci Rep 7:11644 (2017).

Blatzer M, Jukic E, Posch W, Schöpf B, Binder U, Steger M, Blum G, Hackl H, Gnaiger E, Lass-Flörl C, Wilflingseder D. Amphotericin B Resistance in Aspergillus terreus Is Overpowered by Coapplication of Pro-oxidants. Antioxid Redox Signal 23(18):1424-38 (2015).

Posch W, Steger M, Knackmuss U, Blatzer M, Baldauf HM, Doppler W, White TE, Hörtnagl P, DiazGriffero F, Lass-Flörl C, Hackl H, Moris A, Keppler OT, Wilflingseder D. Complement-Opsonized HIV-1 Overcomes Restriction in Dendritic Cells. PLoS Pathog 11(6):e1005005 (2015).

Posch W, Cardinaud S, Hamimi C, Fletcher A, Mühlbacher A, Loacker K, Eichberger P, Dierich MP, Pancino G, Lass-Flörl C, Moris A, Saez-Cirion A, Wilflingseder D. Antibodies attenuate the capacity of dendritic cells to stimulate HIV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes. J Allergy Clin Immunol 130(6):1368-74.e2 (2012).

Bánki Z, Posch W, Ejaz A, Oberhauser V, Willey S, Gassner C, Stoiber H, Dittmer U, Dierich MP, Hasenkrug KJ, Wilflingseder D. Complement as an endogenous adjuvant for dendritic cellmediated induction of retrovirus-specific CTLs. PLoS Pathog 6(4):e1000891 (2010).