Univ.Prof. Dr. Johannes Berger

Head of Department
Department(s): Division of Pathobiology of the Nervous System (Center for Brain Research)
Position: Professor
Location: Spitalgasse 4
Telephone: 40160-34300
E-Mail:
Download Curriculum vitae (CV)

Research Area:
Peroxisomes in Brain Disorders

Research Interests:
Adrenoleukodystrophy, Alzheimer Disease, Peroxisomal Disorders, Peroxisomes, Plasmalogens

Principle Investigator(s):

• Berger, Johannes (Head)

Interest Group(s):

• X-linked Adrenoleukodystrophy (Head)
• Neuroinflammation / Inflammatory Diseases of the Nervous System / Multiple Sclerosis
• X-linked Adrenoleukodystrophy

Grant(s):

• Immunzellen bei X-chromosomaler Adrenoleukodystrophie (Responsible)
• Role of plasmalogens in ether lipid-associated pathologies (Responsible)
• Therapeutic challenge in Leukodystrophies: Translation and ethical research towards clinical trials acronym "Leuko Treat" (Responsible)
• Veränderung der Neurotransmitter bei Etherlipid- Mangel (Responsible)
• Übernahme der Reise- u. Übernachtungskosten für AMN Patienten aus Deutschland zur Teilnahme an einer klinischen Studie (Responsible)
• Die Rolle von Peroxisomen im Hormonstoffwechsel
• Role of plasmalogens in ether lipid-associated pathologies

Abstract:

My main research focus is to understand the importance of different peroxisomal metabolic pathways for the proper function of the brain. The research is designed to elucidate molecular mechanisms underlying the different phenotypes of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy and to develop novel therapeutic approaches. The ether phospholipid biosynthesis is disturbed in a group of inherited peroxisomal disorders but increasing evidence emerges suggesting a role of ether phospholipids in the pathogenesis of late onset neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. Thus, the characterization of molecular consequence of ether phospholipid deficiency for the nervous system is another focus of our laboratory. 

Techniques:

Mouse models for X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy, ether phospholipid deficiency or Alzheimer’s disease are used for in vivo analysis and primary cells from human patients (e.g. monocytes, lymphoblast or fibroblasts) for in vitro analysis of the role of peroxisomes in proper cellular functioning. A broad spectrum of biochemical, cell biological, and imaging techniques are used.

Selected Publications:

1. Weinhofer I, Rommer P, Zierfuss B, Altmann P, Foiani M, Heslegrave A, Zetterberg H, Gleiss A, Musolino P, Gong Y, Forss-Petter S, Berger T, Eichler F, Aubourg P, Köhler W, Berger J (2021) Neurofilament light chain as a potential biomarker for monitoring neurodegeneration in X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy Nat Commun, 12 (1)
2. Dorninger F, König T, Scholze P, Berger M, Zeitler G, Wiesinger C, Gundacker A, Pollak D, Huck S, Just W, Forss-Petter S, Pifl C, Berger J (2019) Disturbed Neurotransmitter Homeostasis in Ether Lipid Deficiency Hum Mol Genet, 28(12): 2046-2061
3. Weinhofer I, Zierfuss B, Hametner S, Wagner M, Popitsch N, Machacek C, Bartolini B, Zlabinger G, Ohradanova-Repic A, Stockinger H, Köhler W, Höftberger R, Regelsberger G, Forss-Petter S, Lassmann H, Berger J (2018) Impaired plasticity of macrophages in X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy Brain, 141: 2329-2342
   | Article (PDF) |
4. Facciotti F, Ramanjaneyulu GS, Lepore M, Sansano S, Cavallari M, Kistowska M, Forss-Petter S, Ni G, Colone A, Singhal A, Berger J, Xia C, Mori L, De Libero G (2012) Peroxisome-derived lipids are self-antigens stimulating invariant Natural Killer T cells in the thymus Nature Immunol, 13(5): 474-480.
5. Kou J, Kovacs GG, Höftberger R, Kulik W, Brodde A, Forss-Petter S, Hönigschnabl S, Gleiss A, Brügger B, Wanders R, Just W, Budka H, Jungwirth S, Fischer P, Berger J. (2011) Peroxisomal alterations in Alzheimer's disease Acta Neuropathol, 122: 271-283
   | Article (PDF) |

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