Phagocytes offer protection against worm infections

Scientists at FAU publish results in Science Immunology

Cells in the immune system known as phagocytes protect us against infections caused by various microorganisms and also help to ensure that damaged tissue is repaired. The latter is particularly important in organs that have contact with the environment such as the skin, lungs and intestines. So-called alternatively activated macrophages (AAM), which are a sub-group of phagocytes, play a key role in this context. The working group led by Prof. Dr. David Vöhringer at the Department of Infection Biology at Universitätsklinikum Erlangen at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg has now succeeded for the first time in making AAM visible in tissue using a fluorescent protein. This makes it possible to investigate where these cells are located in various organs. They were also able to demonstrate that AAM play an important role in fighting off worm parasites and in the repair of tissue damage in the lungs. The molecular mechanisms that form the basis for these processes are the subject of further research.

You can find further information about the study on ScienceMag.org.

Further information:

Prof. Dr. David Vöhringer
Phone: +49 9131 85 32735
david.voehringer@uk-erlangen.de