We are interested in the interplay between the brain and the immune system after stroke. Acute brain lesions disturb the well-balanced interconnection between both systems. Hence, our research focuses on both directions of brain-immune interaction: The impact of immune mechanisms on neuronal damage and recovery and the systemic immunomodulation after stroke.
Our methodological spectrum covers diverse brain ischemia models, transgenic animal models, a broad spectrum of cutting-edge immunological techniques as well as histological, biomolecular and behavioral analysis tools. The lab has a strong translational research focus with the ultimate goal to develop novel diagnostic tools, therapies and mechanistic insights on the highly complex disease which stroke represents.
Currently, the laboratory focuses on the following main research topics within the area of brain-immune interaction:
Cerebral lymphocyte invasion: beyond the vasculature
One focus of our research is the migration of pro-inflammatory leukocytes to the ischemic brain (Brain, 2011). We are investigating pathophysiological mechanisms of leukocyte-endothelial interaction and novel therapeutic approaches for translational use (Science Translational Medicine, 2015). We have previously identified the choroid plexus as a previously unrecognized invasion pathways (Acta Neuropathologica, 2017) and are further striving to understand the differential role of alternative invasion routes to the injured brain.
An alarmin(g) consequence of stroke: Brain-released alarmins and sterile inflammation
A third research area investigates alarmin-driven mechanisms of peripheral immune alterations after brain ischemia. We aim to characterize alarmins—humoral mediators released by the necrotic brain tissue—as modulators of the systemic immune system (The Journal of Neuroscience, 2015). We previously described alarmins as key mediators leading to the exacerbation of vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis after stroke (Science Translational Medicine, 2018). Currently, we aim to expand our knowledge on the multicellular interaction in the systemic immune compartment after stroke and the role of circulating blood factors in modulating immune homeostasis.
Chronic neuroinflammation: friend or foe in post-stroke recovery?
We have recently identified that acute brain ischemia not only induces acute inflammation but results in long-lasting and profound neuroinflammation. These findings suggest either a deficiency in endogenous resolution mechanisms or a preponderance of currently unknown mechanisms driving chronic immune activation after stroke. We try to elucidate the underlying mechanism and study how chronic neuroinflammation affect the chronic recovery after stroke.
From mouse to patient … and back
A premise of our work is to address key unmet needs of stroke patients and make use of translationally relevant tools. For this we strive to constantly improve the translational relevance of our work by standardization, performing validation trials and close interaction with clinician-scientists. Access to stroke patients allows us to identify clinically relevant questions and utilize patient biosamples and clinical data together with our experimental models to answer these questions. Currently, we are working with human blood, brain, feces and CSF samples in order to study brain-immune interactions after stroke.
2024
2021
2019
Stefan Roth, Postdoctoral fellow
I studied biology with majors in immunology, human genetics and virology at the University of Tübingen. After finishing my diploma on neurodegeneration in CAG-repeat disorders in 2013 in Tübingen, I joined the Liesz lab to study the impact of systemic sterile inflammation after stroke. I focus in my work particularly on the correlation between stroke and vascular inflammation. In my life outside the lab, I love to travel, play badminton and squash. I also have a great interest in historic cars and enjoy restoring them.
Gemma Llovera, Postdoctoral fellow
It all started in Barcelona (Spain) where a bachelor in Biology and a Master in Neuroscience gave me the tools to start the PhD in Munich in 2013. I graduated in March 2019 and continue since then my work on post-stroke neuroinflammation in the Liesz lab as a postdoctoral researcher. When I am not looking for new leukocyte invasion routes to the brain after stroke, you can find me playing with my twin boys in the park. In my free time I try to do some sports, such as running or basketball.
Steffanie Heindl, Postdoctoral fellow
I am from Passau, a small town near Munich. The question how to help people recover brought me to LMU in Munich, where I studied Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biology, focussing on Neuroimmunology and Neurobiology. I am currently doing my PhD in the Liesz lab trying to answer the question how microglia influence regeneration after stroke. When I’m not in the lab, music and art is what I spend my time on (playing guitar and ukulele).
Daniel Varga, Postdoctoral fellow
I am a Hungarian scientist and obtained my PhD in Neuroscience at the University of Szeged, Hungary. I started my research activity as an undergraduate student in 2009 by studying neuroprotective strategies for acute ischemic stroke. Then I studied neurophysiology and cerebral hemodynamics during cortical spreading depolarization under the supervision of Dr Eszter Farkas. I came to Munich to join the Liesz lab to investigate interactions between post-stroke inflammatory responses and neurovascular dysfunction. My work heavily focuses on mesoscale imaging. When I am not in the imaging room you will find me outdoors. If it is summer then I go hiking if its winter then skiing or snowboarding. For endurance running weather cannot be an excuse. I am passionate about travelling and exploring new places. Also, I enjoy mixing music.
Saskia Wernsdorf-Scheel, Clinical Research Fellow
After finishing my medical studies, I first started working as a physician in neurosurgery for about two and a half years. By time I decided to change into the neurological field and to obtain further research experience. So, I joined the Liesz lab to start as a Clinician scientist. My work concentrates on clinical studies combined with lab methods focusing on the inflammation after stroke and the possibilities to explore new secondary preventions. In my free time, I really enjoy hikes around Bavaria and travelling to new places with different cultural and food experiences around the world.
Alessio Ricci, PhD student
I am originally from Tuscany and I obtained my Bachelor and Master in Neuroscience in Pisa. I started working on stroke since my Master Thesis, focusing on electrophysiological predictors for stroke recovery. During my studies I fell in love with the nervous system and its extraordinary complexity. I started my PhD in the Liesz lab in October 2019, where I have the opportunity to study another amazing topic: the immune system! In particular, I study the role of T cells in recovery after stroke. In my free time, I am a passionate cook and baker and enjoy any kind of outdoor activities.
Olga Carofiglio, PhD student
I am originally from Italy. After obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a Master in Neuroscience in my home country, I decided to challenge myself in a completely new research environment. Hence, my decision to come to Munich where I joined the Liesz Lab in October 2020. My focus is on the mechanisms of chronic neuroinflammation after stroke. In my spare time, I enjoy doing sport and I try to travel whenever I have the chance.
Jie Zhu, PhD student
I have joined the Liesz lab after achieving my master's degree from Shanghai Jiaotong university. In my project I focus on mechanisms of microglia activation after stroke and their role in chronic post-stroke recovery. When I am outside the lab, I am still in the process of adapting to the Bavarian culture and I love to play basketball.
Kelsey Pinkham, PhD student
After obtaining a B.Sc. in Biology, I began my research career in the field of Glioblastoma in Boston, MA. During my first international trip to Italy, I fell in love with the idea of pursuing my PhD abroad. In October 2019, I began my studies as a PhD Fast-Track student at the LMU and joined the Liesz lab in April 2020. My focus is on the mechanisms underlying chronic microglia dysfunction after stroke. Outside of research I enjoy riding horses, traveling, cinema and my sweet German shepherd Cara.
Sijia Zhang, PhD student
I graduated from Capital Medical University in Beijing and achieved my master’s degree in medicine. During master’s study and research, I was fully absorbed by the unknowns and challenges of neurology. Therefore, I joined the Liesz lab in 2020 to further explore these unknows, specifically in the field of brain-immune interaction. In my Ph.D. project I will analyze how systemic immune changes drive secondary comorbidities after stroke. In my spare time, music is my best friend and can always refresh me.
Christina Haslinger, MD Student
I am originally from Bad Tölz, a small town near Munich. I started studying medicine at the Ludwig Maximilians University in Munich before joining the Liesz lab for my doctoral thesis. In my thesis I am interested in the role of circulating blood factors in mediating systemic inflammation after stroke, for which I am using experimental models and also recruit patient samples. In my spare time I love being outdoors and spend most of my time on one mountain or another.
Yi-Ming Chen, PhD student
Originally from China, I obtained my master's degree in Medicine from Capital Medical University, focusing on cardioembolic stroke. In 2023, I joined Liesz's Lab, where I am currently exploring the immune response after stroke. Working and studying in Liesz's Lab is incredibly exciting and meaningful to me. Outside the lab, my passions include photography and biking, which allow me to capture the beauty of Bavaria.
Rashween Singh, PhD student
After Graduating in Biological Sciences as a Gold medallist from the University of Delhi, I did my Master’s in the field of Immunology from the University of Bonn. Intrigued with the fascinating question of immunological responses post sterile injury in the brain, I joined Liesz Lab in February 2023 as a PhD student. My doctoral project aims at exploring innate immune responses, in the context of circulating cell free DNA during acute phase post stroke. In my free time I really enjoy travelling, trying new cuisines, and playing Badminton.
Kerstin Thuß-Silczak, Lab technician
I was born in Dresden which was previously Eastern Germany. As the lab technician I take care of organizational issues, orders and routine tasks of the Lab. I enjoy manual techniques and am particularly fond of histology. In my private time you find me mostly in the mountains with my family, doing long hikes and photographing.
Christina Fürle, Technician
I achieved my degree as a biological technical assistant in June 2020. I’m new in the team, so working in the Liesz Lab is a great opportunity for me as a beginner to gain more experience in various techniques. Being part in different projects and support the team is the reason why I love to work as a technician for the Liesz Lab. I live near the mountainside, so when I’m not in the lab I spend my time with hiking and enjoying the nature.
Corinne Benakis, PhD: PI at ISD
Rebecca Sadler, PhD: Scientist at Roche Basel
Julia Cramer, MD: Medical Data Analyst at Mindpax.me
Arthur Liesz, Principal investigator
I have been working on the topic of brain-immune interaction after acute brain injuries for more than 10 years and am fascinated by the interaction of these two highly complex super-organisms. My scientific goal is to make new discoveries that will lead to therapies for the benefit of stroke patients. Therefore, we try in my laboratory to combine the use of cutting-edge methodologies and innovative research ideas with a focus on the translational relevance.
Key research achievements include the first report on the neuroprotective role of regulatory T cells in stroke (Nat Med, 2009) which has been reproduced over 20 times. We provided the first description of a bi-directional link between the brain and gut microbiota via immune-mechanisms in acute brain injury (J Neurosci, 2016). Our work on blocking leukocyte brain invasion by Anti-CD49d antibodies (Brain, 2011 and Science Transl Med, 2015) has led to already two completed clinical Phase II studies.
Training
2016 Habilitation on the topic “Immunological Mechanisms in Acute Brain Ischemia”
2010 - 2016 Residency in Clinical Neurology at the Department of Neurology in Heidelberg (Prof. Dr. W. Hacke) and Munich (Prof. Dr. M. Dieterich)
2006 - 2010 Medical thesis at the Department of Neurology (supervisor: Dr. R. Veltkamp), University Heidelberg, Germany (summa cum laude)
2006 - 2009 Training in Experimental Immunology, Department of Molecular Immunology (Dr. E. Suri-Payer), German Center for Cancer Research (DKFZ), Heidelberg
2003 - 2010 Medical studies at the Universities Würzburg and Heidelberg
Awards & honors
2004 - 2010 Scholar of the Klaus Murmann Fellowship Program
2013 Postdoctoral scholarship award, Daimler-Benz Foundation
2013 Independent group leader award - Clinician Scientist Program by the Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy)
2015 Niels Lassen Award Finalist, International Society of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism
2015 Young Investigator Award, European Stroke Organization
Key publications
2018
Stefan Roth, Vikramjeet Singh, Steffen Tiedt, Lisa Schindler, Georg Huber, Arie Geerlof, Daniel J Antoine, Antoine Anfray, Cyrille Orset, Maxime Gauberti, Antoine Fournier, Lesca M Holdt, Helena Erlandsson Harris, Britta Engelhardt, Marco E Bianchi, Denis Vivien, Christof Haffner, Jürgen Bernhagen, Martin Dichgans, Arthur Liesz (2018) Brain-released alarmins and stress response synergize in accelerating atherosclerosis progression after stroke. Science translational medicine 10: 432. Mar.
2017
Gemma Llovera, Corinne Benakis, Gaby Enzmann, Ruiyao Cai, Thomas Arzberger, Alireza Ghasemigharagoz, Xiang Mao, Rainer Malik, Ivana Lazarevic, Sabine Liebscher, Ali Ertürk, Lilja Meissner, Denis Vivien, Christof Haffner, Nikolaus Plesnila, Joan Montaner, Britta Engelhardt, Arthur Liesz (2017) The choroid plexus is a key cerebral invasion route for T cells after stroke. Acta neuropathologica Jul.
2016
Vikramjeet Singh, Stefan Roth, Gemma Llovera, Rebecca Sadler, Debora Garzetti, Bärbel Stecher, Martin Dichgans, Arthur Liesz (2016) Microbiota Dysbiosis Controls the Neuroinflammatory Response after Stroke. The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience 36: 28. 7428-7440 Jul.
2015
Gemma Llovera, Kerstin Hofmann, Stefan Roth, Angelica Salas-Pérdomo, Maura Ferrer-Ferrer, Carlo Perego, Elisa R Zanier, Uta Mamrak, Andre Rex, Hélène Party, Véronique Agin, Claudine Fauchon, Cyrille Orset, Benoît Haelewyn, Maria-Grazia De Simoni, Ulrich Dirnagl, Ulrike Grittner, Anna M Planas, Nikolaus Plesnila, Denis Vivien, Arthur Liesz (2015) Results of a preclinical randomized controlled multicenter trial (pRCT): Anti-CD49d treatment for acute brain ischemia. Science translational medicine 7: 299. Aug.
2011
Arthur Liesz, Wei Zhou, Éva Mracskó, Simone Karcher, Henrike Bauer, Sönke Schwarting, Li Sun, Dunja Bruder, Sabine Stegemann, Adelheid Cerwenka, Clemens Sommer, Alexander H Dalpke, Roland Veltkamp (2011) Inhibition of lymphocyte trafficking shields the brain against deleterious neuroinflammation after stroke. Brain : a journal of neurology 134: Pt 3. 704-720 Mar.
2009
Arthur Liesz, Elisabeth Suri-Payer, Claudia Veltkamp, Henrike Doerr, Clemens Sommer, Serge Rivest, Thomas Giese, Roland Veltkamp (2009) Regulatory T cells are key cerebroprotective immunomodulators in acute experimental stroke. Nature medicine 15: 2. 192-199 Feb.
Arthur Liesz, Sebastien Hagmann, Carolin Zschoche, Johanna Adamek, Wei Zhou, Li Sun, Andreas Hug, Markus Zorn, Alexander Dalpke, Peter Nawroth, Roland Veltkamp (2009) The spectrum of systemic immune alterations after murine focal ischemia: immunodepression versus immunomodulation. Stroke; a journal of cerebral circulation 40: 8. 2849-2858 Aug.
Road Trip to France
Christmas Market 2017
Octoberfest 2016 and 2017
The official group picture 2016
Lab outing 2015
Moving to the new lab at the Center for Stroke and Dementia Research.
We gratefully acknowledge support for our work by the following funding agencies:
Emmy-Noether-Grant by the German Research Foundation (DFG)
European Research Council (ERC) starting grant
The Munich Excellence Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy)
Arthur Liesz
Tel: +49-89-4400-46169
arthur.liesz@med.uni-muenchen.de
