Immunotherapies against bacterial infections
AG Simonis
The lab’s research focuses on the interaction of the human immune system with bacterial pathogens, with the aim of deriving innovative therapeutic strategies from this host-pathogen relationship. One approach is the investigation of the human humoral immune response and the development of monoclonal antibodies for the targeted therapy and prophylaxis of bacterial infections. The mode of action of immune-mediated therapies, such as antibacterial antibodies, is independent of conventional antibiotic resistance mechanisms and could therefore represent a promising treatment approach for infections with multi-resistant bacteria.
Main research areas
- Investigation of the interactions of the host immune system with bacterial pathogens
- Development of immunotherapy-based approaches against multidrug-resistant bacteria
- Modulation of the human immune response for the treatment of severe bacterial infections
Background
The increased occurrence of antibiotic resistance in bacteria due to the widespread use of antibiotics in medicine and the food industry poses a growing threat to our patients and a major challenge for our healthcare system. This development is exacerbated by a significant slowdown in the development of antibiotics and the small number of new antibacterial agents that have been approved in recent years. New therapeutic approaches are urgently needed to ensure effective treatment of infections with multi-resistant pathogens in the future. While targeted therapeutic approaches have now been successfully implemented in clinical care for many diseases, the implementation of innovative therapies for the treatment of severe bacterial infections has stagnated.
Our goal
The aim of our working group, which is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), is to develop and test innovative immunotherapy-based approaches against various bacterial pathogens. One starting point is the investigation of the human immune response in order to derive targeted or immunomodulatory therapies. This includes the development of specific antibodies which, by directly binding and inhibiting bacterial virulence factors, are able to attenuate the severity of an infection. In addition, antibodies can activate the host's own immune response and lead to the elimination of the pathogen. This effect can be further enhanced by modifying the antibodies. Therapeutic approaches that prove to be particularly effective in preclinical studies will be further tested in clinical trials to establish new therapeutic options for severe bacterial infections with multi-resistant pathogens (Figure 1).