A scientist at The Pirbright Institute has contributed to a study which used a pig model to show how cystic fibrosis (CF) affects the human immune system.
Pigs are increasingly used as large animal models for human diseases, owing to their numerous anatomical, immunological, genetic, and physiological similarities to humans. Over the last decade this has led to the development of genetically modified pigs to model human diseases, including cystic fibrosis (CF).
A global health issue, with patient numbers nearing 100,000, CF affects multiple organ systems. While mouse models for CF exist, pigs are considered a better model for CF-related lung disease and inflammation in humans.
In a study published in Science Translational Medicine, researchers from the Technical University of Munich and Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany, discovered a perinatal aberration of the immune system in the pig model, which affects immune cell composition in the lung and the capacity of innate immune cells to fight microorganisms and debris. The findings underscore the need for additional immunological treatments targeting innate immune deficiencies in CF patients.
Dr Wilhelm Gerner, Head of the T-cell Biology group at The Pirbright Institute, was involved in the design, execution, and interpretation of the study’s immunological findings.
“This kind of collaboration between geneticists, clinical experts, and human and veterinary immunologists creates synergies in multiple areas,” said Dr Gerner.
“Cutting-edge research with swine as an animal model not only improves human health, but also benefits livestock health through the development of refined tools and a better understanding of the porcine immune system.”
Pirbright’s pig immunology groups focus on developing better prevention strategies for pathogens in both animals and humans. By studying local and systemic immune responses and the mechanisms shaping them, they aim to create improved vaccines and other health interventions.
Read the paper
Jaudas, F., Bartenschlager, F., Shashikadze, B. et al. Perinatal dysfunction of innate immunity in Cystic Fibrosis. Sci. Trans. Med. 17, eadk9145 (2025) https://doi.org/10.1126/scitranslmed.adk9145
