Transregio SFB-TR 84 “Innate Immunity of the Lung: Mechanisms of Pathogen Attack and Host Defence in Pneumonia“

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A5-Subproject

Cross-talk of antimicrobial therapy, microbiota and innate immunity in pneumonia (Opitz / Heimesaat)

 

Most patients in intensive care units receive antibiotics, and many develop hospital-acquired pneumonias. Results from the current funding period indicate that antibiotic treatment lowers pulmonary IgA production, which is required for defense against P. aeruginosa.

In the new funding period, we will

(I) further dissect the mechanism underlying the antibiotic-dependent inhibition of pulmonary IgA production to develop host-directed prophylaxis,treatment strategies,

(II) test if effects on neutrophils or IL-22 additionally contribute to the enhanced susceptibility of antibiotic-treated animals, and

(III) focus on the bacterial side of the microbiota, immune system cross-talk to explore microbiota-directed prophylactic strategies.