Pneumonia is truly a wide spread disease. Important new aspects are a rising medical threat due to steadily increasing rates of multi- and pan-drug resistant bacteria, the emergence of viruses with pandemic potential and the current demography. Thus, novel strategies against pneumonia are sorely needed. This unmet scientific and clinical need was directly addressed by the SFB-TRR 84 and our interdisciplinary consortium was committed to comprehensively decipher the central role of the innate immune system for the pathogenesis of pneumonia. We were exploiting insights, derived from basic research as well as patient-derived observations for novel diagnostic, preventative and therapeutic strategies.

The central mission of the CRC-TRR 84 was the exact delineation of pathogen-host interactions and resulting infection and inflammation in a lung-specific context. The CRC-TRR 84 established a tight-knit scientific network of highly recognized research teams and the high level of synergistic interaction between Gießen/Marburg and Berlin within the CRC-TRR 84 has been further strengthened by inclusion of 11 transregional projects (PIs from Gießen, Marburg and Berlin). This ambitious endeavor involved the use, development of new experimental human disease models, large animals and patients samples to increase the translational relevance of the projects.

A list of all publications from 2010 to 2024 can be found here.

The CRC-TRR 84 focused on three key areas of pneumonia research.

Area A entitled “Pathogen recognition in the lung and initiation of innate immune response” addressed amongst others the role of antimicrobial therapy for damage of the commensal flora and its retroaction on the innate immunity of the lung.

Area B entitled “Humoral and cell-based bronchoalveolar defence mechanisms” addressed the role of local antimicrobial molecules and of resident or newly recruited pulmonary immune cells in host defense, tissue damage and resilience as well as repair.

Area C “Control of host response in the bronchoalveolar compartment and strategies for intervention” delineated e.g. molecular mechanisms underlying the often-observed detrimental break-down of local infection, inflammation containment (barrier failure). Finally, targeted manipulations of the innate immune response were evaluated for treatment and prevention (e.g. vaccination) of pneumonia.

Potent cutting-edge microscopic techniques employed were further advanced to the latest technological standard, opening new molecular imaging dimensions indispensable for nearly all projects.