Signal transduction of macrophages stimulated with Rhodococcus equi or Pseudomonas aeruginosa as modified by membrane lipid composition

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Julia Schumann
• Subject Area: Animal Breeding, Animal Nutrition, Animal Husbandry
• Term: from 2010 to 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 184098501

Phagocytosis and killing of pathogens by macrophages is a pivotal point in human andanimal health. Some infectious agents like Rhodococcus equi and Pseudomonasaeruginosa, however, are known to restrain respiratory burst and to survive in themacrophages leading to chronic infections. The diet is one important factor modulatingimmune function. In particular, nutritional fatty acids have an impact on membrane fatty acidcomposition. This provides a link between dietary fatty acid uptake, inflammation andimmunity. The goal of the study is to highlight the impact of membrane composition on basaldefense mechanisms of macrophages against the pathogenic microorganisms R. equi and Paeruginosa as modulated by fatty acid supplementation. This includes respiratory burst,phagocytosis, cytokine release, production of antimicrobial peptides as well as receptor upregulation.The comprehensive proof of these cellular processes should give further insightsinto the mechanisms of pathogen-host-interactions and innate immune response - aknowledge crucial to identify new ways for the therapy of chronic infections linked topersistent pathogens.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Finland
• Participating Person: Dr. Reijo Käkelä