Bifidobacterium longum infantis and Treg Cell Differentiation in Early Childhood

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Monika Christine Brunner-Weinzierl
• Subject Area: Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 563787690

The interactions between the gastrointestinal microbiota and the host immune system are of potential clinical relevance. The focus is not only on potentially threatening bacteria, but also on protective bacteria such as strains of bifidobacteria, in particular Bifidobacterium longum infantis (B. infantis), which plays a protective role in the first months of life. There is increasing evidence that B. infantis can induce the formation of regulatory T cells (Tregs), which play a key role in immune regulation and tolerance. To date, the relationship between B. infantis and T cell responses is not fully understood.The proposed project will investigate the differentiation of B. infantis induced Treg-like cells at the molecular level. The mechanisms involved in the suppression of target cells and the activity of Treg-like cells will be investigated. Given the increasing incidence of immune-mediated diseases, understanding the mechanisms by which B. infantis affects Treg populations and Th cell responses may provide new opportunities for therapeutic intervention.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants