In the course of a bacterial infection the immune system of the host is not only responding to the invading pathogen, but the pathogen is also reacting to the host's defense mechanisms. However, many aspects of this interaction have yet to be studied. With the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes as a model pathogen, it is investigated, which host cells become infected and which molecules are responsible for the bacteria to find these cells.
At the same time the role of listeriolysin is being investigated. Listeriolysin is a cell toxin that is responsible for numerous reactions in the targeted cells, including the secretion of cytokines and cell death. One of the cytokines that is studied in this research group is Interferon-ß (IFNß). Since cytokines can express different effects depending on the model that is investigated, IFNß-producing cells are characterized not only during a Listeria infection in genetically altered mice, but also in other infection and inflammation models. While IFNß is harmful to the host in case of Listeria infections, it supports the fight against pathogens in many viral infections very effectively.
Bacteria can also be used as carriers for vaccines and therapeutic molecules. In addition, many bacteria have the ability to accumulate in solid tumors. In order to use bacteria for tumor therapy, different bacteria are investigated in terms of where they accumulate inside the tumor and why. Additionally, various therapeutic molecules are tested in vivo - that is, in live objects - to improve their efficacy.
Furthermore, a special subset of antibody-producing B cells, namely B1 cells, which play an important role at the beginning of an infection are studied. For this purpose mice have been genetically altered in a way that they almost exclusively possess B1 cells. These mice help to investigate the characteristics of B1 cells and their behavior during bacterial infections.
You can find more information on the research group in these press releases.
