Researchers from the Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology at the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) and the Excellence Cluster ImmunoSensation² of the University of Bonn are conducting a clinical study to investigate the effects of an HIV medication on the human immune system. The study is looking for healthy men between the ages of 25 and 40.
“Our immune system is in a constant state of alert to defend our body against threats like infections or degenerated cells. This is only possible because the body continuously sends small activation signals to the immune system, keeping it in a state of basic activation,” explains Prof. Dr. Rayk Behrendt, the study leader, head of a research group at the Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology at UKB, a member of the Excellence Cluster ImmunoSensation², the Transdisciplinary Research Area (TRA) “Life & Health” of the University of Bonn, and the Bonn Forum Biomedicine (BFB).
A loss of this basic activation can weaken our defense against pathogens or foreign substances. On the other hand, this constant state of alert of the immune system consumes a lot of energy and most likely contributes to the aging process. Both processes play a central role in maintaining health. “This is also why the HIV medication we are investigating in the study is on the verge of becoming a lifestyle product,” notes Prof. Behrendt.
Ancient Viruses Might Play a Role in a Healthy Immune Defense
The Bonn research team aims to better understand how this basic activation of the immune system is controlled in order to regulate it when necessary. Initially, the focus is on the role of so-called "endogenous retroviruses." These are viruses that infected our ancestors thousands of years ago and integrated into our genetic material. Today, these "endogenous retroviruses" make up almost half of the genome in each of us. “For a long time, these viruses were considered useless, but in recent years it has become clear that they play an important role for us humans in maintaining a healthy immune defense,” adds Prof. Behrendt.
The research team suspects that "endogenous retroviruses" act as activation signals for the immune system. They have already observed this in the laboratory and now question whether these results also apply to humans. To find out, the researchers and physicians take advantage of a special characteristic: the viruses embedded in our genome function similarly to the HI-virus. HIV medications can therefore also block the activation of "endogenous retroviruses."
Healthy Study Participants Aged 25-40 Wanted
The team at UKB is looking for healthy men aged 25 to 40 for an outpatient clinical study. These participants will take an HIV medication, which has long been approved for HIV prophylaxis in healthy individuals, in tablet form for four weeks. The activation state of the immune cells in the blood and the activity of the endogenous retroviruses will be measured before and after this period.
The study is conducted by the Phase I unit, and the study center SZB at UKB coordinates it. “The results could provide a completely new perspective on the previously unclear role of a large part of our genome in maintaining health through the immune system,” says the principal investigator, Dr. Martin Coenen, Medical Director of the Phase I unit and Deputy Managing Director of the study center SZB at UKB.
Interested individuals can contact Probanden-SZB@ukbonn.de or call 0228 287 16040 for further information. A compensation of 400€ will be provided.
Press contact:
Dr. Katja Fels
Science Communication Management at the University of Bonn
E-Mail: kfels@uni-bonn.de
