Liesz Lab | ISD Research

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.

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 (Journal of Experimental Medicine, 2021). 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.

Trained immunity in Brain-Body communication

_Stroke not only leads to a chronic local neuroinflammatory response, but also to a long-lasting alteration in peripheral immunity. We have previously identified trained immunity (innate immune memory) as a mechanism leading to secondary organ dysfunction after stroke (Cell, 2024). We aim to further explore this novel research concept of brain-body communication, focusing on discovering mediators leading to bone marrow reactivity after stroke, therapeutic approaches to modulate post-stroke trained immunity, and explore its relevance for secondary remote organ damage after stroke.

Inflammasome activation in post-stroke sterile inflammation

We previously described alarmins as key mediators leading to the exacerbation of vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis after stroke (Science Translational Medicine, 2018; Nature, 2024). Currently, we aim to expand our knowledge on the role of circulating blood factors in inducing inflammasome activation and sterile autoinflammation after stroke. These research efforts are pursued within the Liesz lab by the “Team Inflammasome” (> see here for more details).

Stefan Roth, Team leader “Infammasome Biology in Stroke”

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.

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Gemma Llovera, Senior Staff Scientist

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.

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Steffanie Heindl, Postdoctoral fellow

I earned my bachelor’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences and my master’s degree in Biology (Neurobiology/Immunology) at the Ludwig-Maximilians-University in Munich. During this time, I developed a deep passion for neuroimmunology and brain repair, which motivated me to pursue a PhD in the lab of Arthur Liesz at the Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research. My doctoral research focused on chronic neuroinflammation following stroke and its role in long-term neuronal repair. As a postdoctoral researcher, I am now further exploring chronic neuroinflammation by leveraging genomic approaches to study long-term immune cell alterations and their involvement in sustaining inflammation. Outside of the lab, I enjoy channeling my creativity through drawing, playing music, or staying active with running and swimming.

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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.

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Alessio Ricci, Postdoctoral fellow

I am originally from Italy, where I completed both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Neuroscience in Pisa. I began working on stroke research during my Master’s thesis, focusing on electrophysiological predictors of stroke recovery. During my studies, I developed a deep fascination with the nervous system and its extraordinary complexity.

In October 2019, I started my PhD in the Liesz Lab, where I had the opportunity to explore another captivating field: the immune system. Specifically, I investigated the role of T cells in stroke recovery. I am now continuing my work as a postdoctoral researcher in the lab, where my current focus is on antigen-dependent T cell responses following stroke. Outside of research, I am an avid cook and baker, and I enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities.

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.

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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.

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.

Elizabeth Lapshina, PhD student

I completed both my BSc and MSc degrees in Microbiology and Immunology at McGill University, Montreal, Canada, where I first became captivated by the complex and multifaceted nature of the immune system – in particular, trained immunity (innate immune memory) and its role in health and disease. During this time, I also grew increasingly fascinated by the complexity of neuroscience, which sparked a strong interest to study the interplay between these two biological systems. In February 2025, I joined the Liesz Lab to begin my doctoral studies, and my PhD project will explore the long-term effects of stroke on systemic organ dysfunction. Outside of the lab, you can find me playing ultimate frisbee, climbing, hiking, or doing photography.

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. Our work on sterile inflammation after stroke and its consequence for remote organ dysfunction has pioneered this new research field of post-stroke brain-body communication (Nature 2024; Cell, 2024).

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