Immune System
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Generation and characterisation of novel mucosal vaccines against pneumococcal disease

Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie und Hygiene (IMMH), Universitätsmedizin der Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz
Applicant: Prof. Dr. Tim Sparwasser
Funding line:
Key Projects
Image
Mucosal vaccination strategy against Pneumococci: Antigens (red) are administered nasally or orally. Dendritic cells (purple) present them to CD8+ T-cells (light green) and CD4+ T-cells (dark green) which activate B-cells (blue). *
(© Alexandra Böttcher,Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene (IMMH), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, created with BioRender.com)

*This results in a cellular and humoral immune response.

Pneumococci can cause serious diseases such as pneumonia or meningitis – especially in children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems. However, current vaccines only protect against certain subgroups, known as serotypes, of these bacteria, of which over 100 are known. In addition, the incidence of resistant strains is increasing. Prof. Tim Sparwasser's team is therefore working on a new vaccination approach to develop a broad-spectrum vaccine that is administered via the mucous membranes (e.g., nose or mouth) and provides protection directly at the point of entry. If the development is successful, the vaccine could better protect millions of people worldwide from pneumococcal infections in the future and help reduce the use of antibiotics.