Macrophages play an important role in cellular immunity, and are responsible for the destruction of pathogenic viruses and, above all, bacteria. Scientists have had the vision of producing macrophages and other therapeutically useful cells on a large scale to treat infectious diseases for over 15 years. This would allow infections to be targeted that cannot be cured with existing therapies. Researchers at the Hannover Medical School (MHH) – Prof. Dr Nico Lachmann, Dr Mania Ackermann and Dr Robert Zweigerdt – have taken a major step forward in achieving this goal.
Their approach makes use of so-called ‘induced pluripotent stem cells’ (iPS cells) that are derived from human somatic cells and can then be reprogrammed into any human cell type. The MHH team has developed a technology for differentiating iPS cells into macrophages in special bioreactors, and producing them in any required quantity. With Ascenion’s support, the MHH has closed a cooperation and exclusive licensing agreement with Novo Nordisk. Together, the partners hope to advance the approach into clinical application.
(Annual Review 2020)
