{"id":18912,"date":"2025-07-14T11:01:54","date_gmt":"2025-07-14T11:01:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/?page_id=18912"},"modified":"2025-07-14T14:50:57","modified_gmt":"2025-07-14T14:50:57","slug":"drfz-and-the-covid-19-pandemic","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/en\/drfz-and-the-covid-19-pandemic\/","title":{"rendered":"DRFZ and the COVID-19 pandemic"},"content":{"rendered":"\n  <section id=\"drfz-and-the-covid-19-pandemic\"    class=\"section hero alignfull\">\n    <div class=\"hero__wrapper gradient gradient--hero\">\n      <div class=\"container container--center\">\n        <div class=\"hero__content launimation slideBottom\">\n          \n                      <h1              class=\"hero__heading d1\">DRFZ and the COVID-19 pandemic <\/h1>\n          \n                  <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n\n              <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" src=\"https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/JHZ4894-1024x681.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/JHZ4894-1920x1277.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/JHZ4894-1600x1065.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/JHZ4894-1366x909.jpg 1366w, https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/JHZ4894-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/JHZ4894-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/JHZ4894-550x366.jpg 550w\" class=\"hero__image\" alt=\"\"  width=\"1024\"  height=\"681\">      \n      \n    <\/div><!-- content -->\n\n  <\/section>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"alignwide has-text-align-wide wp-block-paragraph\">Since the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in 2020, DRFZ researchers have used their expertise in epidemiology, rheumatology, immunology and cell and molecular biology to elucidate the pathogenesis of COVID-19, and in particular, the specific challenges of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with rheumatic diseases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"alignwide has-text-align-wide wp-block-paragraph\">Patients with rheumatic diseases were considered a high-risk group for SARS-CoV-2 infection, which resulted in a very unsettling phase for both patients and doctors early on in the pandemic. Rapid presentation of research results from the Epidemiology and Health Services Research Programme Area, in collaboration with national and international collaborators, were crucially important in promptly developing differentiated recommendations for the treatment and advising of patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"alignwide has-text-align-wide wp-block-paragraph\">The influence of the pandemic still resonates at the DRFZ: Andreas Radbruch was co-organiser of the EFIS (European Federation of Immunological Societies) Symposium \u2018The Reaction to SARS-CoV-2: an Immunological Retrospective\u2019, which took place on 4.4.2025 in Berlin. Moreover, the DRFZ is part of the Leibniz Lab \u2018Pandemic Preparedness\u2019, which addresses the most urgent questions about how to deal with future pandemics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"alignwide has-text-align-wide wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The commitment of the scientists in Programme Area 2, Epidemiology and Health Services Research, to research in national, European and global COVID-19 registers resulted, among others, in:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n  <section id=\"block_4574e49cd3b4c5dd4d42c08b90bab550\"\n           class=\"section accordion  alignwide \"\n           data-open=\"multiple\">\n    <div class=\"container container--center container--medium\">\n      \n      \n      \n              <div id=\"panel-\"\n             class=\"accordion__category active\" role=\"tabpanel\"\n             aria-labelledby=\"tab-\">\n                    <script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n            {\n              \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n              \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n              \"mainEntity\": [{\"@type\": \"Question\",\"name\": \"Detailing the differential risk of severe disease progression in patients with rheumatic diseases.\",\"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\",\"text\": \"Strangfeld, A., et al., Factors associated with COVID-19-related death in people with rheumatic diseases: results from the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance physician-reported registry. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 2021. 80(7): p. 930-942. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1136\/annrheumdis-2020-219498\nHasseli, R., et al., Older age, comorbidity, glucocorticoid use and disease activity are risk factors for COVID-19 hospitalisation in patients with inflammatory rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. Rmd Open, 2021. 7(1). https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1136\/rmdopen-2020-001464\"}},{\"@type\": \"Question\",\"name\": \"Providing evidence that the administration of glucocorticoids in the treatment of rheumatic diseases was a risk factor for hospitalisation due to SARS-CoV-2 infection.\",\"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\",\"text\": \"Gianfrancesco, M., et al., Characteristics associated with hospitalisation for COVID-19 in people with rheumatic disease: data from the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance physician-reported registry. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 2020. 79(7): p. 859-866. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1136\/annrheumdis-2020-217871\"}},{\"@type\": \"Question\",\"name\": \"Presenting the risk of pregnant women with inflammatory diseases and outcome of infection and vaccination status.\",\"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\",\"text\": \"Bermas, B.L., et al., COVID-19 in Pregnant Women With Rheumatic Disease: Data From the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance. Journal of Rheumatology, 2022. 49(1): p. 110-114. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3899\/jrheum.210480\nMaguire, S., et al., Obstetric outcomes in women with rheumatic disease and COVID-19 in the context of vaccination status. Rheumatology, 2023. 62(4): p. 1621-1626. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1093\/rheumatology\/keac534\"}},{\"@type\": \"Question\",\"name\": \"Giving guidance on the safety of SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations in adults with rheumatic diseases [6] and children\/adolescents.\",\"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\",\"text\": \"Machado, P.M., et al., Safety of vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 in people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases: results from the EULAR Coronavirus Vaccine (COVAX) physician-reported registry. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 2022. 81(5): p. 695-709. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1136\/annrheumdis-2021-221490\nLawson-Tovey, S., et al., SARS-CoV-2 vaccine safety in adolescents with inflammatory rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases and adults with juvenile idiopathic arthritis: data from the EULAR COVAX physician-reported registry. Rmd Open, 2022. 8(2). https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1136\/rmdopen-2022-002322\"}},{\"@type\": \"Question\",\"name\": \"Detailing the occurrence of breakthrough infections in different patient populations with inflammatory rheumatic diseases.\",\"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\",\"text\": \"Liew, J., et al., SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infections among vaccinated individuals with rheumatic disease: results from the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance provider registry. Rmd Open, 2022. 8(1). https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1136\/rmdopen-2021-002187\nLawson-Tovey, S., et al., SARS-CoV-2 infection after vaccination in patients with inflammatory rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 2022. 81(1): p. 145-150. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1136\/annrheumdis-2021-221217\"}}]\n            }\n          <\/script>\n\n          <div class=\"accordion__content\">\n                          <div class=\"accordion-item  box box--accordion over launimation slideBottom\">\n                <button class=\"accordion-item__title\"\n                        aria-expanded=\"false\"\n                        aria-controls=\"accordion_69d7ab99c826c_0\"\n                        aria-label=\"Zeige den Inhalt an\">\n                    <span class=\"accordion-item__title-wrapper\">\n                      <span class=\"accordion-item__title-main h5\">Detailing the differential risk of severe disease progression in patients with rheumatic diseases.<\/span>\n                                          <\/span>\n                  <span class=\"icon-wrapper\"><\/span>\n                <\/button>\n\n                <div class=\"accordion-item__content-container\" id=\"accordion_69d7ab99c826c_0\">\n                  <div class=\"accordion-item__content\">\n                    \n                    <div class=\"accordion-item__content-text wysiwyg\">\n                      <p>Strangfeld, A., et al., <em>Factors associated with COVID-19-related death in people with rheumatic diseases: results from the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance physician-reported registry.<\/em> Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 2021. <strong>80<\/strong>(7): p. 930-942. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1136\/annrheumdis-2020-219498\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1136\/annrheumdis-2020-219498<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Hasseli, R., et al., <em>Older age, comorbidity, glucocorticoid use and disease activity are risk factors for COVID-19 hospitalisation in patients with inflammatory rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases.<\/em> Rmd Open, 2021. <strong>7<\/strong>(1). <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1136\/rmdopen-2020-001464\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1136\/rmdopen-2020-001464<\/a><\/p>\n\n                                          <\/div>\n                  <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n              <\/div>\n                          <div class=\"accordion-item  box box--accordion over launimation slideBottom\">\n                <button class=\"accordion-item__title\"\n                        aria-expanded=\"false\"\n                        aria-controls=\"accordion_69d7ab99c826c_1\"\n                        aria-label=\"Zeige den Inhalt an\">\n                    <span class=\"accordion-item__title-wrapper\">\n                      <span class=\"accordion-item__title-main h5\">Providing evidence that the administration of glucocorticoids in the treatment of rheumatic diseases was a risk factor for hospitalisation due to SARS-CoV-2 infection.<\/span>\n                                          <\/span>\n                  <span class=\"icon-wrapper\"><\/span>\n                <\/button>\n\n                <div class=\"accordion-item__content-container\" id=\"accordion_69d7ab99c826c_1\">\n                  <div class=\"accordion-item__content\">\n                    \n                    <div class=\"accordion-item__content-text wysiwyg\">\n                      <p>Gianfrancesco, M., et al., <em>Characteristics associated with hospitalisation for COVID-19 in people with rheumatic disease: data from the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance physician-reported registry.<\/em> Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 2020. <strong>79<\/strong>(7): p. 859-866<a>. <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1136\/annrheumdis-2020-217871\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1136\/annrheumdis-2020-217871<\/a><\/p>\n\n                                          <\/div>\n                  <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n              <\/div>\n                          <div class=\"accordion-item  box box--accordion over launimation slideBottom\">\n                <button class=\"accordion-item__title\"\n                        aria-expanded=\"false\"\n                        aria-controls=\"accordion_69d7ab99c826c_2\"\n                        aria-label=\"Zeige den Inhalt an\">\n                    <span class=\"accordion-item__title-wrapper\">\n                      <span class=\"accordion-item__title-main h5\">Presenting the risk of pregnant women with inflammatory diseases and outcome of infection and vaccination status.<\/span>\n                                          <\/span>\n                  <span class=\"icon-wrapper\"><\/span>\n                <\/button>\n\n                <div class=\"accordion-item__content-container\" id=\"accordion_69d7ab99c826c_2\">\n                  <div class=\"accordion-item__content\">\n                    \n                    <div class=\"accordion-item__content-text wysiwyg\">\n                      <p>Bermas, B.L., et al., <em>COVID-19 in Pregnant Women With Rheumatic Disease: Data From the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance.<\/em> Journal of Rheumatology, 2022. <strong>49<\/strong>(1): p. 110-114. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3899\/jrheum.210480\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3899\/jrheum.210480<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Maguire, S., et al., <em>Obstetric outcomes in women with rheumatic disease and COVID-19 in the context of vaccination status.<\/em> Rheumatology, 2023. <strong>62<\/strong>(4): p. 1621-1626. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1093\/rheumatology\/keac534\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1093\/rheumatology\/keac534<\/a><\/p>\n\n                                          <\/div>\n                  <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n              <\/div>\n                          <div class=\"accordion-item  box box--accordion over launimation slideBottom\">\n                <button class=\"accordion-item__title\"\n                        aria-expanded=\"false\"\n                        aria-controls=\"accordion_69d7ab99c826c_3\"\n                        aria-label=\"Zeige den Inhalt an\">\n                    <span class=\"accordion-item__title-wrapper\">\n                      <span class=\"accordion-item__title-main h5\">Giving guidance on the safety of SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations in adults with rheumatic diseases [6] and children\/adolescents.<\/span>\n                                          <\/span>\n                  <span class=\"icon-wrapper\"><\/span>\n                <\/button>\n\n                <div class=\"accordion-item__content-container\" id=\"accordion_69d7ab99c826c_3\">\n                  <div class=\"accordion-item__content\">\n                    \n                    <div class=\"accordion-item__content-text wysiwyg\">\n                      <p>Machado, P.M., et al., <em>Safety of vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 in people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases: results from the EULAR Coronavirus Vaccine (COVAX) physician-reported registry.<\/em> Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 2022. <strong>81<\/strong>(5): p. 695-709. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1136\/annrheumdis-2021-221490\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1136\/annrheumdis-2021-221490<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Lawson-Tovey, S., et al., <em>SARS-CoV-2 vaccine safety in adolescents with inflammatory rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases and adults with juvenile idiopathic arthritis: data from the EULAR COVAX physician-reported registry.<\/em> Rmd Open, 2022. <strong>8<\/strong>(2). <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1136\/rmdopen-2022-002322\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1136\/rmdopen-2022-002322<\/a><\/p>\n\n                                          <\/div>\n                  <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n              <\/div>\n                          <div class=\"accordion-item  box box--accordion over launimation slideBottom\">\n                <button class=\"accordion-item__title\"\n                        aria-expanded=\"false\"\n                        aria-controls=\"accordion_69d7ab99c826c_4\"\n                        aria-label=\"Zeige den Inhalt an\">\n                    <span class=\"accordion-item__title-wrapper\">\n                      <span class=\"accordion-item__title-main h5\">Detailing the occurrence of breakthrough infections in different patient populations with inflammatory rheumatic diseases.<\/span>\n                                          <\/span>\n                  <span class=\"icon-wrapper\"><\/span>\n                <\/button>\n\n                <div class=\"accordion-item__content-container\" id=\"accordion_69d7ab99c826c_4\">\n                  <div class=\"accordion-item__content\">\n                    \n                    <div class=\"accordion-item__content-text wysiwyg\">\n                      <p>Liew, J., et al., <em>SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infections among vaccinated individuals with rheumatic disease: results from the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance provider registry.<\/em> Rmd Open, 2022. <strong>8<\/strong>(1). <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1136\/rmdopen-2021-002187\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1136\/rmdopen-2021-002187<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Lawson-Tovey, S., et al., <em>SARS-CoV-2 infection after vaccination in patients with inflammatory rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases.<\/em> Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 2022. <strong>81<\/strong>(1): p. 145-150. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1136\/annrheumdis-2021-221217\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1136\/annrheumdis-2021-221217<\/a><\/p>\n\n                                          <\/div>\n                  <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n              <\/div>\n                      <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n  <\/section>\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"alignwide has-text-align-wide wp-block-paragraph\">The immunological expertise of the DRFZ\u2019s experimental programme areas was instrumental in uncovering an immune evasion mechanism of SARS-CoV-2. This mechanism leads to dysfunctional innate and adaptive immune responses in severe COVID-19, leading to autoreactivity, chronic inflammation and finally fibrosis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"alignwide has-text-align-wide wp-block-paragraph\">Additionally, the DRFZ affiliated teams identified functional biomarkers predictive of vaccine responses in immunosuppressed patients with rheumatic diseases, critical for guiding vaccination strategies in patients with rheumatic diseases.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"alignwide has-text-align-wide wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Experimental research from the DRFZ resulted in publications with high societal and scientific impact. Examples of these results include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n  <section id=\"block_54fa50099b3a44221369d72e6b8910d3\"\n           class=\"section accordion  alignwide \"\n           data-open=\"multiple\">\n    <div class=\"container container--center container--medium\">\n      \n      \n      \n              <div id=\"panel-\"\n             class=\"accordion__category active\" role=\"tabpanel\"\n             aria-labelledby=\"tab-\">\n                    <script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n            {\n              \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n              \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n              \"mainEntity\": [{\"@type\": \"Question\",\"name\": \"The mechanism of EBV reactivation as a key mechanism of MIS-C after SARS-CoV-2 infection.\",\"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\",\"text\": \"Goetzke, C.C., et al., TGFbeta links EBV to multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children. Nature, 2025. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41586-025-08697-6\"}},{\"@type\": \"Question\",\"name\": \"Viral immune evasion mechanisms by the virus, via induction of TGF-\u00df.\",\"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\",\"text\": \"Ferreira-Gomes, M., et al., SARS-CoV-2 in severe COVID-19 induces a TGF-\u03b2-dominated chronic immune response that does not target itself. Nature Communications, 2021. 12(1). https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41467-021-22210-3\nWitkowski, M., et al., Untimely TGF\u03b2 responses in COVID-19 limit antiviral functions of NK cells. Nature, 2021. 600(7888): p. 295-+. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41586-021-04142-6\nFrischbutter, S., et al., Serum TGF-\u03b2 as a predictive biomarker for severe disease and fatality of COVID-19. European Journal of Immunology, 2023. 53(10). https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/eji.202350433\"}},{\"@type\": \"Question\",\"name\": \"Mechanisms of COVID-19 induced lung fibrosis.\",\"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\",\"text\": \"Mothes, R., et al., Distinct tissue niches direct lung immunopathology via CCL18 and CCL21 in severe COVID-19. Nature Communications, 2023. 14(1). https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41467-023-36333-2\"}},{\"@type\": \"Question\",\"name\": \"Regulation of immune response generated following vaccination by commensal bacteria in saliva.\",\"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\",\"text\": \"Bondareva, M., et al., Cross-regulation of antibody responses against the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein and commensal microbiota via molecular mimicry. Cell Host &amp; Microbe, 2023. 31(11): p. 1866-+. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.chom.2023.10.007\"}},{\"@type\": \"Question\",\"name\": \"Foundations for recommendations on vaccinating rheumatic patients and older healthy people.\",\"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\",\"text\": \"Bondareva, M., et al., Induction of cross-reactive, mucosal anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses in rheumatoid arthritis patients after 3rd dose of COVID-19 vaccination. Journal of Autoimmunity, 2022. 133. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jaut.2022.102918\nStefanski, A.L., et al., B Cell Characteristics at Baseline Predict Vaccination Response in RTX Treated Patients. Front Immunol, 2022. 13: p. 822885. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fimmu.2022.822885\nAkbil, B., et al., Early and Rapid Identification of COVID-19 Patients with Neutralizing Type I Interferon Auto-antibodies. Journal of Clinical Immunology, 2022. 42(6): p. 1111-1129. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s10875-022-01252-2\nStefanski, A.L., et al., Persistent but atypical germinal center reaction among 3&lt;SUP&gt;rd&lt;\/SUP&gt; SARS-CoV-2 vaccination after rituximab exposure. Frontiers in Immunology, 2022. 13. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fimmu.2022.943476\nRomero-Olmedo, A.J., et al., Dynamics of humoral and T-cell immunity after three BNT162b2 vaccinations in adults older than 80 years. Lancet Infectious Diseases, 2022. 22(5): p. 588-589. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/s1473-3099(22)00219-5\nRomero-Olmedo, A.J., et al., Induction of robust cellular and humoral immunity against SARS-CoV-2 after a third dose of BNT162b2 vaccine in previously unresponsive older adults. Nature Microbiology, 2022. 7(2): p. 195-+. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41564-021-01046-z\"}}]\n            }\n          <\/script>\n\n          <div class=\"accordion__content\">\n                          <div class=\"accordion-item  box box--accordion over launimation slideBottom\">\n                <button class=\"accordion-item__title\"\n                        aria-expanded=\"false\"\n                        aria-controls=\"accordion_69d7ab99c9772_0\"\n                        aria-label=\"Zeige den Inhalt an\">\n                    <span class=\"accordion-item__title-wrapper\">\n                      <span class=\"accordion-item__title-main h5\">The mechanism of EBV reactivation as a key mechanism of MIS-C after SARS-CoV-2 infection.<\/span>\n                                          <\/span>\n                  <span class=\"icon-wrapper\"><\/span>\n                <\/button>\n\n                <div class=\"accordion-item__content-container\" id=\"accordion_69d7ab99c9772_0\">\n                  <div class=\"accordion-item__content\">\n                    \n                    <div class=\"accordion-item__content-text wysiwyg\">\n                      <p>Goetzke, C.C., et al., <em>TGFbeta links EBV to multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children.<\/em> Nature, 2025. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41586-025-08697-6\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41586-025-08697-6<\/a><\/p>\n\n                                          <\/div>\n                  <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n              <\/div>\n                          <div class=\"accordion-item  box box--accordion over launimation slideBottom\">\n                <button class=\"accordion-item__title\"\n                        aria-expanded=\"false\"\n                        aria-controls=\"accordion_69d7ab99c9772_1\"\n                        aria-label=\"Zeige den Inhalt an\">\n                    <span class=\"accordion-item__title-wrapper\">\n                      <span class=\"accordion-item__title-main h5\">Viral immune evasion mechanisms by the virus, via induction of TGF-\u00df.<\/span>\n                                          <\/span>\n                  <span class=\"icon-wrapper\"><\/span>\n                <\/button>\n\n                <div class=\"accordion-item__content-container\" id=\"accordion_69d7ab99c9772_1\">\n                  <div class=\"accordion-item__content\">\n                    \n                    <div class=\"accordion-item__content-text wysiwyg\">\n                      <p>Ferreira-Gomes, M., et al., <em>SARS-CoV-2 in severe COVID-19 induces a TGF-\u03b2-dominated chronic immune response that does not target itself.<\/em> Nature Communications, 2021. <strong>12<\/strong>(1). <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41467-021-22210-3\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41467-021-22210-3<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Witkowski, M., et al., <em>Untimely TGF\u03b2 responses in COVID-19 limit antiviral functions of NK cells.<\/em> Nature, 2021. <strong>600<\/strong>(7888): p. 295-+. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41586-021-04142-6\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41586-021-04142-6<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Frischbutter, S., et al., <em>Serum TGF-\u03b2 as a predictive biomarker for severe disease and fatality of COVID-19.<\/em> European Journal of Immunology, 2023. <strong>53<\/strong>(10). <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/eji.202350433\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/eji.202350433<\/a><\/p>\n\n                                          <\/div>\n                  <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n              <\/div>\n                          <div class=\"accordion-item  box box--accordion over launimation slideBottom\">\n                <button class=\"accordion-item__title\"\n                        aria-expanded=\"false\"\n                        aria-controls=\"accordion_69d7ab99c9772_2\"\n                        aria-label=\"Zeige den Inhalt an\">\n                    <span class=\"accordion-item__title-wrapper\">\n                      <span class=\"accordion-item__title-main h5\">Mechanisms of COVID-19 induced lung fibrosis.<\/span>\n                                          <\/span>\n                  <span class=\"icon-wrapper\"><\/span>\n                <\/button>\n\n                <div class=\"accordion-item__content-container\" id=\"accordion_69d7ab99c9772_2\">\n                  <div class=\"accordion-item__content\">\n                    \n                    <div class=\"accordion-item__content-text wysiwyg\">\n                      <p>Mothes, R., et al., <em>Distinct tissue niches direct lung immunopathology via CCL18 and CCL21 in severe COVID-19.<\/em> Nature Communications, 2023. 14(1). <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41467-023-36333-2\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41467-023-36333-2<\/a><\/p>\n\n                                          <\/div>\n                  <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n              <\/div>\n                          <div class=\"accordion-item  box box--accordion over launimation slideBottom\">\n                <button class=\"accordion-item__title\"\n                        aria-expanded=\"false\"\n                        aria-controls=\"accordion_69d7ab99c9772_3\"\n                        aria-label=\"Zeige den Inhalt an\">\n                    <span class=\"accordion-item__title-wrapper\">\n                      <span class=\"accordion-item__title-main h5\">Regulation of immune response generated following vaccination by commensal bacteria in saliva.<\/span>\n                                          <\/span>\n                  <span class=\"icon-wrapper\"><\/span>\n                <\/button>\n\n                <div class=\"accordion-item__content-container\" id=\"accordion_69d7ab99c9772_3\">\n                  <div class=\"accordion-item__content\">\n                    \n                    <div class=\"accordion-item__content-text wysiwyg\">\n                      <p>Bondareva, M., et al., <em>Cross-regulation of antibody responses against the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein and commensal microbiota via molecular mimicry.<\/em> Cell Host &amp; Microbe, 2023. <strong>31<\/strong>(11): p. 1866-+. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.chom.2023.10.007\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.chom.2023.10.007<\/a><\/p>\n\n                                          <\/div>\n                  <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n              <\/div>\n                          <div class=\"accordion-item  box box--accordion over launimation slideBottom\">\n                <button class=\"accordion-item__title\"\n                        aria-expanded=\"false\"\n                        aria-controls=\"accordion_69d7ab99c9772_4\"\n                        aria-label=\"Zeige den Inhalt an\">\n                    <span class=\"accordion-item__title-wrapper\">\n                      <span class=\"accordion-item__title-main h5\">Foundations for recommendations on vaccinating rheumatic patients and older healthy people.<\/span>\n                                          <\/span>\n                  <span class=\"icon-wrapper\"><\/span>\n                <\/button>\n\n                <div class=\"accordion-item__content-container\" id=\"accordion_69d7ab99c9772_4\">\n                  <div class=\"accordion-item__content\">\n                    \n                    <div class=\"accordion-item__content-text wysiwyg\">\n                      <p>Bondareva, M., et al., <em>Induction of cross-reactive, mucosal anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses in rheumatoid arthritis patients after 3rd dose of COVID-19 vaccination.<\/em> Journal of Autoimmunity, 2022. <strong>133<\/strong>. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jaut.2022.102918\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jaut.2022.102918<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Stefanski, A.L., et al., <em>B Cell Characteristics at Baseline Predict Vaccination Response in RTX Treated Patients.<\/em> Front Immunol, 2022. <strong>13<\/strong>: p. 822885<a>. <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fimmu.2022.822885\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fimmu.2022.822885<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Akbil, B., et al., <em>Early and Rapid Identification of COVID-19 Patients with Neutralizing Type I Interferon Auto-antibodies.<\/em> Journal of Clinical Immunology, 2022. <strong>42<\/strong>(6): p. 1111-1129. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s10875-022-01252-2\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s10875-022-01252-2<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Stefanski, A.L., et al., <em>Persistent but atypical germinal center reaction among 3&lt;SUP&gt;rd&lt;\/SUP&gt; SARS-CoV-2 vaccination after rituximab exposure.<\/em> Frontiers in Immunology, 2022. <strong>13<\/strong>. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fimmu.2022.943476\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fimmu.2022.943476<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Romero-Olmedo, A.J., et al., <em>Dynamics of humoral and T-cell immunity after three BNT162b2 vaccinations in adults older than 80 years.<\/em> Lancet Infectious Diseases, 2022. <strong>22<\/strong>(5): p. 588-589. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/s1473-3099(22)00219-5\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/s1473-3099(22)00219-5<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Romero-Olmedo, A.J., et al., <em>Induction of robust cellular and humoral immunity against SARS-CoV-2 after a third dose of BNT162b2 vaccine in previously unresponsive older adults.<\/em> Nature Microbiology, 2022. <strong>7<\/strong>(2): p. 195-+. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41564-021-01046-z\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41564-021-01046-z<\/a><\/p>\n\n                                          <\/div>\n                  <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n              <\/div>\n                      <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n  <\/section>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons alignwide is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/en\/drfz-in-the-media\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Further media reports about the DRFZ<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Since the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in 2020, DRFZ researchers have used their expertise in epidemiology, rheumatology, immunology and cell and molecular biology to\u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-18912","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>DRFZ and the COVID-19 pandemic - DRFZ<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.drfz.de\/en\/drfz-and-the-covid-19-pandemic\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" 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