Center for Medicine
Department of Medicine II
Medical Center – University of Freiburg
Hugstetter Straße 55
79106 Freiburg i. Brsg.
- +49 (0) 761/ 270 – 32800
- bertram.bengsch@uniklinik-freiburg.de
- Homepage
Current position
Heisenberg Professor, Group leader and Section Head for Translational Systems Immunology in Hepatogastroenterology, Department of Medicine II, Center for Medicine, Medical Center – University of Freiburg
Academic training
| 2002 – 2008 | Study of Medicine in Freiburg with electives in London, GB, and Philadelphia, USA |
Scientific qualifications
| 2013 | PhD Thesis in Immunology, University of Freiburg (Supervisor: Prof. Robert Thimme) |
| 2008 | Dissertation in Medicine, University of Freiburg (Supervisor: Prof. Robert Thimme) |
Postgraduate Positions
| since 2020 | Heisenberg Professor and Section head of Translational Hepatogastroenterology, Department of Medicine II, Medical Center - University of Freiburg |
| since 10/2017 | Group leader, Department of Medicine II, Medical Center - University of Freiburg |
| 2014 – 2017 | Postdoctorate (DFG fellowship), Institute for Immunology & Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, University of Pennsylvania, USA |
| 2009 – 2014 | Clinical and research fellow, Department of Medicine II, Medical Center - University of Freiburg |
Miscellaneous (Honors, Awards)
| 2020 | Heisenberg Professorship (German Research Foundation) |
| 2017 - 2019 | EXCEL Fellowship for Clinician Scientists, Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg |
| 2016 | Postdoc scholarship award, Keystone meeting Q8 “Immunometabolism in Immune Function and Inflammatory Disease” |
| 2014 - 2016 | Postdoctoral research fellowship of the German Research Foundation |
| 2012 | MSD stipend for young clinician scientists (Hepatology / HIV) |
| 2009 - 2013 | Spemann Graduate School of Biology & Medicine (SGBM) MD, PhD Scholarship |
| 2008 | Ismar-Boas Prize –Prize (DGVS) for excellent medical thesis. |
| 2006 & 2007 | Prize for distinguished dedication to academic Teaching, 2006-2007 (Medical Faculty Freiburg, Project „Cicil“), and Media Prize 2006 (University of Freiburg) |
link to all publications from B. Bengsch: Pubmed
Publications based on CRC1160 funding
Röttele F, Zollner A, Mogler C, Yuksel M, Arikan C, Karl V, Aberle JH, Aberle SW, Kogler H, Vécsei A, Vodopiutz J, Salié H, Gräser A, Krimmel L, Martin P, Lurz E, Maier FI, Woelfle L, Nobre S, Goncalves I, Kern L, Schwemmle M, Boettler T, Hofmann M, Hasselblatt P, Thimme R, Tilg H, Müller T, Vogel GF, Bengsch B. 2025. Characteristic immune cell interactions in livers of children with acute hepatitis revealed by spatial single-cell analysis identify a possible postacute sequel of COVID-19. Gut. Apr 5:gutjnl-2024-333880. doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2024-333880.
Braun LM, Giesler S, Andrieux G, Riemer R, Talvard-Balland N, Duquesne S, Rückert T, Unger S, Kreutmair S, Zwick M, Follo M, Hartmann A, Osswald N, Melchinger W, Chapman S, Hutchinson JA, Haferkamp S, Torster L, Kött J, Gebhardt C, Hellwig D, Karantzelis N, Wallrabenstein T, Lowinus T, Yücel M, Brehm N, Rawluk J, Pfeifer D, Bronsert P, Rogg M, Mattern S, Heikenwälder M, Fusco S, Malek NP, Singer S, Schmitt-Graeff A, Ceteci F, Greten FR, Blazar BR, Boerries M, Köhler N, Duyster J, Ihorst G, Lassmann S, Keye P, Minguet S, Schadendorf D, Ugurel S, Rafei-Shamsabadi D, Thimme R, Hasselblatt P, Bengsch B, Schell C, Pearce EL, Meiss F, Becher B, Funke-Lorenz C, Placke JM, Apostolova P, Zeiser R. 2025. Adiponectin reduces immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced inflammation without blocking anti-tumor immunity. Cancer Cell. 2025 Feb 10;43(2):269-291.e19. doi: 10.1016/j.ccell.2025.01.004.
Salié H, Wischer L, D’Alessio A, Godbole I, Suo Y, Otto-Mora P, Beck J, Neumann O, Stenzinger A, Schirmacher P, Fulgenzi CAM, Blaumeiser A, Boerries M, Roehlen N, Schultheiß M, Hofmann M, Thimme R, Pinato DJ, Longerich T, Bengsch B. 2024. Spatial single-cell profiling and neighbourhood analysis reveal the determinants of immune architecture connected to checkpoint inhibitor therapy outcome in hepatocellular carcinoma. Gut. Oct 14:gutjnl-2024-332837. doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2024-332837.
Heim K, Sagar, Sogukpinar Ö, Llewellyn-Lacey S, Price DA, Emmerich F, Kraft ARM, Cornberg M, Kielbassa S, Knolle P, Wohlleber D, Bengsch B, Boettler T, Neumann-Haefelin C, Thimme R, Hofmann M. 2024. Attenuated effector T cells are linked to control of chronic HBV infection. Nat Immunol. 25(9):1650-1662. doi: 10.1038/s41590-024-01928-4.
Pinato DJ, D’Alessio A, Fulgenzi CAM, Schlaak AE, Celsa C, Killmer S, Blanco JM, Ward C, Stikas CV, Openshaw MR, Acuti N, Nteliopoulos G, Balcells C, Keun HC, Goldin RD, Ross PJ, Cortellini A, Thomas R, Young AM, Danckert N, Tait P, Marchesi JR, Bengsch B, Sharma R. 2024. Safety and Preliminary Efficacy of Pembrolizumab Following Transarterial Chemoembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: The PETAL Phase Ib Study. Clin Cancer Res. 30(11):2433-2443. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-24-0177.
Vinnakota JM, Biavasco F, Schwabenland M, Chhatbar C, Adams RC, Erny D, Duquesne S, El Khawanky N, Schmidt D, Fetsch V, Zähringer A, Salié H, Athanassopoulos D, Braun LM, Javorniczky NR, Ho JNHG, Kierdorf K, Marks R, Wäsch R, Simonetta F, Andrieux G, Pfeifer D, Monaco G, Capitini C, Fry TJ, Blank T, Blazar BR, Wagner E, Theobald M, Sommer C, Stelljes M, Reicherts C, Jeibmann A, Schittenhelm J, Monoranu CM, Rosenwald A, Kortüm M, Rasche L, Einsele H, Meyer PT, Brumberg J, Völkl S, Mackensen A, Coras R, von Bergwelt-Baildon M, Albert NL, Bartos LM, Brendel M, Holzgreve A, Mack M, Boerries M, Mackall CL, Duyster J, Henneke P, Priller J, Köhler N, Strübing F, Bengsch B, Ruella M, Subklewe M, von Baumgarten L, Gill S, Prinz M, Zeiser R. 2024. Targeting TGFβ-activated kinase-1 activation in microglia reduces CAR T immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome. Nat Cancer. May 13. doi: 10.1038/s43018-024-00764-7.
Csernalabics B, Marinescu MS, Maurer L, Kelsch L, Werner J, Baumann K, Zoldan K, Panning M, Reuken P, Bruns T, Bengsch B, Neumann-Haefelin C, Hofmann M, Thimme R, Dao Thi VL, Boettler T. 2024. Efficient formation and maintenance of humoral and CD4 T-cell immunity targeting the viral capsid in acute-resolving hepatitis E infection. J Hepatol. 80(4):564-575. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2023.12.016.
Csernalabics B, Marinescu MS, Maurer L, Kelsch L, Werner J, Baumann K, Zoldan K, Panning M, Reuken P, Bruns T, Bengsch B, Neumann-Haefelin C, Hofmann M, Thimme R, Dao Thi VL, Boettler T. 2023. Efficient formation and maintenance of humoral and CD4 T cell immunity targeting the viral capsid in acute-resolving hepatitis E infection. J Hepatol. Dec 26:S0168-8278(23)05370-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2023.12.016.
Velasco Cárdenas RM, Brandl SM, Meléndez AV, Schlaak AE, Buschky A, Peters T, Beier F, Serrels B, Taromi S, Raute K, Hauri S, Gstaiger M, Lassmann S, Huppa JB, Boerries M, Andrieux G, Bengsch B, Schamel WW, Minguet S. 2023. Harnessing CD3 diversity to optimize CAR T cells. Nat Immunol. 24(12):2135-2149. doi: 10.1038/s41590-023-01658-z.
Winkler F, Hipp AV, Ramirez C, Martin B, Villa M, Neuwirt E, Gorka O, Aerssens J, Johansson SE, Rana N, Llewellyn-Lacey S, Price DA, Panning M, Groß O, Pearce EL, Hermann CM, Schumann K, Hannibal L, Neumann-Haefelin C, Boettler T, Knolle P, Hofmann M, Wohlleber D, Thimme R, Bengsch B. 2023. Enolase represents a metabolic checkpoint controlling the differential exhaustion programmes of hepatitis virus-specific CD8+ T cells. Gut. 72(10):1971-1984. doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2022-328734.
Luxenburger H, Reeg DB, Lang-Meli J, Reinscheid M, Eisner M, Bettinger D, Oberhardt V, Salimi Alizei E, Wild K, Graeser A, Karl V, Sagar, Emmerich F, Klein F, Panning M, Huzly D, Bengsch B, Boettler T, Elling R, Thimme R, Hofmann M, Neumann-Haefelin C. 2023. Boosting compromised SARS-CoV-2-specific immunity with mRNA vaccination in liver transplant recipients. J Hepatol. Feb 18:S0168-8278(23)00095-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2023.02.007.
Villa M, Sanin DE, Apostolova P, Corrado M, Kabat AM, Cristinzio C, Regina A, Carrizo GE, Rana N, Stanczak MA, Baixauli F, Grzes KM, Cupovic J, Solagna F, Hackl A, Globig AM, Hässler F, Puleston DJ, Kelly B, Cabezas-Wallscheid N, Hasselblatt P, Bengsch B, Zeiser R, Sagar, Buescher JM, Pearce EJ, Pearce EL. 2023. Prostaglandin E 2 controls the metabolic adaptation of T cells to the intestinal microenvironment. bioRxiv. Mar 15:2023.03.13.532431. doi: 10.1101/2023.03.13.532431.
Globig AM, Hipp AV, Otto-Mora P, Heeg M, Mayer LS, Ehl S, Schwacha H, Bewtra M, Tomov V, Thimme R, Hasselblatt P, Bengsch B. Nat Commun. 2022. High-dimensional profiling reveals Tc17 cell enrichment in active Crohn’s disease and identifies a potentially targetable signature. First published: 2022 Jun 27;13(1):3688. doi: 10.1038/s41467-022-31229-z. PMID: 35760777 Free PMC article.
Globig AM, Mayer LS, Heeg M, Andrieux G, Ku M, Otto-Mora P, Hipp A, Zoldan K, Pattekar A, Rana N, Schell C, Boerries M, Hofmann M, Neumann-Haefelin C, Kuellmer A, Schmidt A, Boettler T, Tomov V, Thimme R, Hasselblatt P, Bengsch B. Gastroenterology. 2022. Exhaustion of CD39-expressing CD8+ T cells in Crohn’s disease is linked to clinical outcome. First published: 2022 Jun 20:S0016-5085(22)00663-1. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2022.06.045. Online ahead of print.
Klocperk A, Friedmann D, Schlaak AE, Unger S, Parackova Z, Goldacker S, Sediva A, Bengsch B, Warnatz K. 2022. Distinct CD8 T Cell Populations with Differential Exhaustion Profiles Associate with Secondary Complications in Common Variable Immunodeficiency. J Clin Immunol, First published: 2022 May 19. doi: 10.1007/s10875-022-01291-9.
Lang-Meli, J., H. Luxenburger, K. Wild, V. Karl, V. Oberhardt, E. Salimi Alizei, A. Graeser, M. Reinscheid, N. Roehlen, D. B. Reeg, S. Giese, K. Ciminski, V. Gotz, D. August, S. Rieg, C. F. Waller, T. Wengenmayer, D. Staudacher, D. Huzly, B. Bengsch, G. Kochs, M. Schwemmle, F. Emmerich, T. Boettler, R. Thimme, M. Hofmann, and C. Neumann-Haefelin. 2022. SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cell epitope repertoire in convalescent and mRNA-vaccinated individuals. Nat Microbiol 7: 675-679. doi: 10.1038/s41564-022-01106-y.
Boettler, T., B. Csernalabics, H. Salie, H. Luxenburger, L. Wischer, E. Salimi Alizei, K. Zoldan, L. Krimmel, P. Bronsert, M. Schwabenland, M. Prinz, C. Mogler, C. Neumann-Haefelin, R. Thimme, M. Hofmann, and B. Bengsch. 2022. SARS-CoV-2 vaccination can elicit a CD8 T-cell dominant hepatitis. J Hepatol 77: 653-659. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2022.03.040.
Wild, K., M. Smits, S. Killmer, S. Strohmeier, C. Neumann-Haefelin, B. Bengsch, F. Krammer, M. Schwemmle, M. Hofmann, R. Thimme, K. Zoldan, and T. Boettler. 2021. Pre-existing immunity and vaccine history determine hemagglutinin-specific CD4 T cell and IgG response following seasonal influenza vaccination. Nat Commun 12: 6720.
Oberhardt V, Luxenburger H, Kemming J, Schulien I, Ciminski K, Giese S, Csernalabics B, Lang-Meli J, Janowska I, Staniek J, Wild K, Basho K, Marinescu MS, Fuchs J, Topfstedt F, Janda A, Sogukpinar O, Hilger H, Stete K, Emmerich F, Bengsch B, Waller CF, Rieg S, Sagar, Boettler T, Zoldan K, Kochs G, Schwemmle M, Rizzi M, Thimme R, Neumann-Haefelin C, Hofmann M. 2021. Rapid and stable mobilization of CD8+ T cells by SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine. Nature. 28. doi: 10.1038/s41586-021-03841-4.
Schwabenland M, Salié H, Tanevski J, Killmer S, Lago MS, Schlaak AE, Mayer L, Matschke J, Püschel K, Fitzek A, Ondruschka B, Mei HE, Boettler T, Neumann-Haefelin C, Hofmann M, Breithaupt A, Genc N, Stadelmann C, Saez-Rodriguez J, Bronsert P, Knobeloch KP, Blank T, Thimme R, Glatzel M, Prinz M, Bengsch B. 2021. Deep spatial profiling of human COVID-19 brains reveals neuroinflammation with distinct microanatomical microglia-T-cell interactions. Immunity. 54(7):1594-1610.e11.
Maccari, M. E., S. Fuchs, P. Kury, G. Andrieux, S. Volkl, B. Bengsch, M. R. Lorenz, M. Heeg, J. Rohr, S. Jagle, C. N. Castro, M. Gross, U. Warthorst, C. Konig, I. Fuchs, C. Speckmann, J. Thalhammer, F. G. Kapp, M. G. Seidel, G. Duckers, S. Schonberger, C. Schutz, M. Fuhrer, R. Kobbe, D. Holzinger, C. Klemann, P. Smisek, S. Owens, G. Horneff, R. Kolb, N. Naumann-Bartsch, M. Miano, J. Staniek, M. Rizzi, T. Kalina, P. Schneider, A. Erxleben, R. Backofen, A. Ekici, C. M. Niemeyer, K. Warnatz, B. Grimbacher, H. Eibel, A. Mackensen, A. P. Frei, K. Schwarz, M. Boerries, S. Ehl, and A. Rensing-Ehl. 2021. A distinct CD38+CD45RA+ population of CD4+, CD8+, and double-negative T cells is controlled by FAS. J Exp Med 218(2):e20192191. doi: 10.1084/jem.20192191.
Schulien I, Kemming J, Oberhardt V, Wild K, Seidel LM, Killmer S, Sagar, Daul F, Salvat Lago M, Decker A, Luxenburger H, Binder B, Bettinger D, Sogukpinar O, Rieg S, Panning M, Huzly D, Schwemmle M, Kochs G, Waller CF, Nieters A, Duerschmied D, Emmerich F, Mei HE, Schulz AR, Llewellyn-Lacey S, Price DA, Boettler T, Bengsch B, Thimme R, Hofmann M, Neumann-Haefelin C. 2020. Characterization of pre-existing and induced SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8 + T cells. Nat Med. 12. doi: 10.1038/s41591-020-01143-2.
Hensel N, Gu Z, Sagar, Wieland D, Jechow K, Kemming J, Llewellyn-Lacey S, Gostick E, Sogukpinar O, Emmerich F, Price DA, Bengsch B, Boettler T, Neumann-Haefelin C, Eils R, Conrad C, Bartenschlager R, Grün D, Ishaque N, Thimme R, Hofmann M. 2021. Memory-like HCV-specific CD8+ T cells retain a molecular scar after cure of chronic HCV infection. Nat Immunol. 22(2):229-239. doi: 10.1038/s41590-020-00817-w.
Heim, K., B. Binder, Sagar, D. Wieland, N. Hensel, S. Llewellyn-Lacey, E. Gostick, D. A. Price, F. Emmerich, H. Vingerhoet, A. R. M. Kraft, M. Cornberg, T. Boettler, C. Neumann-Haefelin, D. Zehn, B. Bengsch, M. Hofmann, and R. Thimme. 2020. TOX defines the degree of CD8+ T cell dysfunction in distinct phases of chronic HBV infection. Gut. doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2020-322404. Online ahead of print.
Basho K, Zoldan K, Schultheiss M, Bettinger D, Globig AM, Bengsch B, Neumann-Haefelin C, Klocperk A, Warnatz K, Hofmann M, Thimme R, Boettler T. 2020. IL-2 contributes to cirrhosis-associated immune dysfunction by impairing follicular T helper cells in advanced cirrhosis. J Hepatol. S0168-8278(20)33692-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.10.012.
Seidel, L., and B. Bengsch. 2020. Shed it, and help-LAG3 cleavage drives conventional CD4(+) T cells to overcome resistance to PD-1 immunotherapy. Sci Immunol 5(49):eabc8644. doi: 10.1126/sciimmunol.abc8644.
Klocperk, A., S. Unger, D. Friedmann, M. Seidl, K. Zoldan, J. Pfeiffer, O. Hausmann, V. Benes, G. Andrieux, T. Boettler, A. Sediva, B. Bengsch, and K. Warnatz. 2020. Exhausted phenotype of follicular CD8 T cells in CVID. J Allergy Clin Immunol. pii: S0091-6749(20)30333-X. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2020.02.025. [Epub ahead of print]
