Prof. Dr. Peter Zipfel
Complement and Immune - Evasion of Pathogens

Abstract
The innate immune system of the human host is central for recognition as well as elimination of microbial pathogens. The human complement system acts as the first defence line of innate immunity and is central for elimination of microbes and for orchestrating the host immune response. Apparently every human pathogenic microbe has evolved means to control and inactivate this central host defense system. We are studying microbial complement evasion at the interface of the pathogen and the human host. To this end we identify surface proteins of the pathogen, that bind host complement regulators like Factor H and CFHR1 and define the inhibitory role of these molecules. This project will characterize the role of complement inhibitors derived in particular of the human pathogenic fungi Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus and define in molecular terms their exact role in immune evasion. In addition the potential of these inhibitors as complement controlling compounds will be evaluated.

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