Lysosomal phospholipases of macrophages in antimicrobial defence

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Ulrich E. Schaible
• Subject Area: Parasitology and Biology of Tropical Infectious Disease Pathogens
• Term: from 2010 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 166360413

Macrophages patrol epithelial surfaces such as the alveolar lung epithelia for detection and eliminati-on of pathogenic invaders. One of the most important antibacterial effectors of macrophages is phagocytosis and lysosomal killing and degradation of engulfed microbes. We will study two lysosomal phospholipases of macrophages for their function in antibacterial host response against lung infections such as tuberculosis in vitro and in vivo. Both enzymes were recently identified and preliminary data indicate their specificity to attack bacterial membranes and affect on bacterial infections. Employment of biochemical and molecular techniques combined with knock out mice and infection models will reveal the function of these enzymes.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants