Günter Weiss. Professor, Director of Division of Internal Medicine II 
Medical University of Innsbruck. Website
University Hospital for Internal Medicine II. Anichstraße 35,A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Reseach subject
Host pathogen interaction, innate immune resistance mechanisms against infections, regulatory interaction between iron homeostasis, immune function and infection control, macrophage immunobiology, intracellular microbes, clinical infectious diseases
Summary
Based on the broad clinical expertise in our department the research at our institution covers many different aspects of basic research and clinically relevant topics in the areas of infectious diseases, immunology, rheumatology and pneumology, both at the level of laboratory based science and clinical research. The work includes clinical studies with a major aim to translate the results of our scientific investigations at the bench to the bedside for the benefit of our patients and to identify new tools with help in the diagnosis and treatment of infections and autoimmune disorders. We are interested in disentangling the network of host pathogen interaction with a major focus on macrophage effector function, immune cell and iron metabolism and intracellular infection models. We focus on identifying new targets in host innate immunity and host/microbial iron homeostasis for the treatment of infections. We are also investigating disturbances of iron homeostasis in the course of infection, inflammatory and pulmonary diseases, and new methods for their treatment along with an analysis of such interventions on the course of the underlying diseases.
Publications
- Nairz M, Ferring-Appel D, Casarrubea D, Sonnweber T, Viatte L, Schroll A, Haschka D, Fang FC, Hentze MW*, Weiss G*, Galy B. Iron Regulatory Proteins Mediate Host Resistance to Salmonella Infection. Cell Host Microbe. 18:254-61, 2015.* corresponding authors
- Nairz M, Schleicher U, Schroll A, Sonnweber T, Theurl I, Ludwiczek S, Talasz H, Brandacher G Moser PL, Muckenthaler MU, Fang FC, Bogdan C, Weiss G. Nitric oxide-mediated regulation of ferroportin-1 controls macrophage iron homeostasis and immune function in Salmonella infection, J Exp Med 2013, 210; 855-873. doi: 10.1084. PMID: 23630227
- Nairz M, Schroll A, Moschen AR, Sonnweber T, Theurl M, Theurl I, Taub N, Jamnig C, Neurauter D, Huber LA, Tilg H, Moser PL, Weiss G. Erythropoietin contrastingly affects bacterial infection and experimental colitis by inhibiting nuclear factor-kappaB-inducible immune pathways. Immunity. 2011. 34(1):61-74.
- Ludwiczek S, Theurl I, Muckenthaler MU, Jakab M, Mair SM, Theurl M, Kiss J, Paulmichl M, Hentze MW, Ritter M, Weiss G. Ca2+ channel blockers reverse iron overload by a new mechanism via divalent metal transporter-1. Nature Medicine 2007. 13(4):448-54.
- Weiss G, Goodnough LT. Anemia of chronic disease. N Engl J Med. 2005. 352(10):1011-23. PMID: 15758012