Project

Exploring the anti-inflammatory potential of Rothia mucilaginosa in chronic lung diseases

Code
3G010119
Duration
01 January 2019 → 31 December 2022
Funding
Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO)
Promotor
Research disciplines
  • Medical and health sciences
    • Inflammation
    • Bacteriology
    • Microbiome
Keywords
chronic lung diseases
 
Project description

Chronic lung inflammation is the major driver of disease pathogenesis in patients with cystic fibrosis
(CF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Available anti-inflammatory agents are
ineffective in both patient populations, emphasizing the need to explore radically novel therapeutic
avenues. The lungs of patients with CF and COPD are colonized by a wide collection of
microorganisms (microbiome) which contains both bacteria considered as pathogenic and nonpathogenic
(commensal). Recent studies reported a negative correlation between the presence of
specific commensal microbiome bacteria (including Rothia mucilaginosa) and lung inflammation in
CF patients. Our preliminary in vitro data confirmed an anti-inflammatory effect of R. mucilaginosa.
Hence, this project will use these promising data to evaluate the therapeutic potential of R.
mucilaginosa. To this end, we will confirm the anti-inflammatory effect of R. mucilaginosa in
complex and physiologically relevant in vitro models of CF and COPD lung inflammation, as well as in
in vivo mouse models. The anti-inflammatory compound(s) produced by this bacterium will be
identified and the mode of action unveiled. Finally, the anti-inflammatory effect of R. mucilaginosa
will be validated in a CF and COPD patient cohort. Not only can this project lead to the discovery of
novel microbial products with anti-inflammatory characteristics, it has the potential to result in a
paradigm-shift for the treatment of CF and COPD.