Microbiome-immune interactions

The microbiome plays a significant role in shaping the immune system's function and influencing the development of various disorders. Our research aims at studying the impact of microbiome-immune interactions on the development, progression, and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colorectal cancer (CRC).

Our research revolves around understanding how specific microbes interact with  the host, particularly their effects on the immune system, in IBD and CRC. Additionally, we investigate the potential of leveraging the microbiome as a therapeutic option for managing these disorders. We are particularly interested in unraveling the mechanisms employed by bacteria to influence IBD and CRC development, with the ultimate goal of utilizing this knowledge to develop tailored precision medicine approaches.

To achieve our objectives, we employ cutting-edge technologies and utilize state-of-the-art facilities. These include a top-of-the-line germ-free and gnotobiotic animal facility, advanced imaging capabilities, next-generation sequencing devices, untargeted metabolomics lipidomics platforms, and more.

Wissenschaftliche Abbildung zum Text

Lukas Mager studied medicine at the Medical University in Vienna, Austria and obtained his MD degree in 2010. After a short stay as a research associate at the Institute of Cancer Research and Institute of Immunology in Vienna he moved to Bern, Switzerland to obtain his PhD at the University of Bern in 2015. He performed his postdoctoral studies at the University of Calgary, Canada from 2017-2021. During these periods he gained considerable expertise in the fields of immunology, microbiome and cancer research, particularly how these fields intersect with each other. Starting from 2021 Lukas Mager is an independent group leader at the University Hospital Tübingen and the M3 Institute where he researches microbiome-host interactions particularly in the field of inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer.

Lukas Mager completed his medical education at the Medical University of Vienna, Austria, and received his MD degree in 2010. Following a brief stay as a research associate at the Institute of Cancer Research and Institute of Immunology in Vienna, he relocated to Bern, Switzerland, to pursue his PhD studies at the University of Bern, which he successfully completed in 2015. Subsequently, he conducted his postdoctoral studies at the University of Calgary, Canada, from 2017 to 2021. Throughout these periods, he developed extensive expertise in the areas of immunology, microbiome, and cancer research, with a specific focus on their intersections.

Since 2021, Lukas Mager is an independent group leader at the University Hospital Tübingen and the M3 Institute. His research focuses on microbiome-host interactions, particularly in the context of inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer.

Interview

Microbiome-immune interactions - Interview with Dr. Lukas Mager

Join Dr. Lukas Mager and his research group, as we explore how gut microbes shape immune responses in IBD and colorectal cancer. Discover how advanced technologies and germ-free models are helping to unlock the microbiome’s therapeutic potential.

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IBD
Inflammatory bowel disease
microbiome
-immune interactions
CRC
Colorectal cancer

Selected publications

  • 2023

    Intestinal colonization regulates systemic anti-commensal immune sensitivity and hyperreactivity

    Burkhard R, Koegler M, Brown K, Wilson K, Mager LF, Zucoloto AZ, Thomson C, Hebbandi Nanjundappa R, Skalosky I, Ahmadi S, McDonald B, Geuking MB. Intestinal colonization regulates systemic anti-commensal immune sensitivity and hyperreactivity. Front Immunol. 2023 May 22;14:1030395. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1030395. PMID: 37283756; PMCID: PMC10239946.
    https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1030395
  • 2022

    Exercise and Prebiotic Fiber Provide Gut Microbiota-Driven Benefit in a Survivor to Germ-Free Mouse Translational Model of Breast Cancer

    Sampsell K, Wang W, Ohland C, Mager LF, Pett N, Lowry DE, Sales KM, McNeely ML, McCoy KD, Culos-Reed SN, Reimer RA. Exercise and Prebiotic Fiber Provide Gut Microbiota-Driven Benefit in a Survivor to Germ-Free Mouse Translational Model of Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel). 2022 May 31;14(11):2722. doi: 10.3390/cancers14112722. PMID: 35681702; PMCID: PMC9179252. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers14112722
  • 2021

    Impact of the microbiome on tumor immunity

    McCoy KD, Mager LF. Impact of the microbiome on tumor immunity. Curr Opin Immunol. 2021 Apr;69:39-46. doi: 10.1016/j.coi.2021.01.002. Epub 2021 Feb 26. PMID: 33647829. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coi.2021.01.002
  • 2020

    Microbiome-derived inosine modulates response to checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy

    Mager LF, Burkhard R, Pett N, Cooke NCA, Brown K, Ramay H, Paik S, Stagg J, Groves RA, Gallo M, Lewis IA, Geuking MB, McCoy KD. Microbiome-derived inosine modulates response to checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy. Science. 2020 Sep 18;369(6510):1481-1489. doi: 10.1126/science.abc3421. Epub 2020 Aug 13. PMID: 32792462. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abc3421
  • 2019

    The IL-33/ST2 pathway shapes the regulatory T cell phenotype to promote intestinal cancer

    Pastille E, Wasmer MH, Adamczyk A, Vu VP, Mager LF, Phuong NNT, Palmieri V, Simillion C, Hansen W, Kasper S, Schuler M, Muggli B, McCoy KD, Buer J, Zlobec I, Westendorf AM, Krebs P. The IL-33/ST2 pathway shapes the regulatory T cell phenotype to promote intestinal cancer. Mucosal Immunol. 2019 Jul;12(4):990-1003. doi: 10.1038/s41385-019-0176-y. Epub 2019 Jun 5. PMID: 31165767; PMCID: PMC7746527. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41385-019-0176-y
  • 2018

    Genetic restriction of antigen-presentation dictates allergic sensitization and disease in humanized mice

    Neunkirchner A, Kratzer B, Köhler C, Smole U, Mager LF, Schmetterer KG, Trapin D, Leb-Reichl V, Rosloniec E, Naumann R, Kenner L, Jahn-Schmid B, Bohle B, Valenta R, Pickl WF. Genetic restriction of antigen-presentation dictates allergic sensitization and disease in humanized mice. EBioMedicine. 2018 May;31:66-78. doi: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2018.04.001. Epub 2018 Apr 5. PMID: 29678672; PMCID: PMC6014064. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ebiom.2018.04.001
  • 2017

    TREM-1 promotes intestinal tumorigenesis

    Saurer L, Zysset D, Rihs S, Mager L, Gusberti M, Simillion C, Lugli A, Zlobec I, Krebs P, Mueller C. TREM-1 promotes intestinal tumorigenesis. Sci Rep. 2017 Nov 1;7(1):14870. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-14516-4. PMID: 29093489; PMCID: PMC5665947 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-14516-4
  • 2017

    The ESRP1-GPR137 axis contributes to intestinal pathogenesis

    Mager LF, Koelzer VH, Stuber R, Thoo L, Keller I, Koeck I, Langenegger M, Simillion C, Pfister SP, Faderl M, Genitsch V, Tcymbarevich I, Juillerat P, Li X, Xia Y, Karamitopoulou E, Lyck R, Zlobec I, Hapfelmeier S, Bruggmann R, McCoy KD, Macpherson AJ, Müller C, Beutler B, Krebs P. The ESRP1-GPR137 axis contributes to intestinal pathogenesis. Elife. 2017 Oct 4;6:e28366. doi: 10.7554/eLife.28366. PMID: 28975893; PMCID: PMC5665647 https://doi.org/10.7554/elife.28366
  • 2016

    Cytokine-Induced Modulation of Colorectal Cancer

    Mager LF, Wasmer MH, Rau TT, Krebs P. Cytokine-Induced Modulation of Colorectal Cancer. Front Oncol. 2016 Apr 19;6:96. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2016.00096. PMID: 27148488; PMCID: PMC4835502 https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2016.00096
  • 2015

    The IL-33/ST2 pathway contributes to intestinal tumorigenesis in humans and mice

    Mertz KD, Mager LF, Wasmer MH, Thiesler T, Koelzer VH, Ruzzante G, Joller S, Murdoch JR, Brümmendorf T, Genitsch V, Lugli A, Cathomas G, Moch H, Weber A, Zlobec I, Junt T, Krebs P. The IL-33/ST2 pathway contributes to intestinal tumorigenesis in humans and mice. Oncoimmunology. 2015 Jun 26;5(1):e1062966. doi: 10.1080/2162402X.2015.1062966. PMID: 26942077; PMCID: PMC4760343. https://doi.org/10.1080/2162402x.2015.1062966
  • 2015

    P. IL-33 signaling contributes to the pathogenesis of myeloproliferative neoplasms

    Mager LF, Riether C, Schürch CM, Banz Y, Wasmer MH, Stuber R, Theocharides AP, Li X, Xia Y, Saito H, Nakae S, Baerlocher GM, Manz MG, McCoy KD, Macpherson AJ, Ochsenbein AF, Beutler B, Krebs P. IL-33 signaling contributes to the pathogenesis of myeloproliferative neoplasms. J Clin Invest. 2015 Jul 1;125(7):2579-91. doi: 10.1172/JCI77347. Epub 2015 May 26. PMID: 26011644; PMCID: PMC4563674. https://doi.org/10.1172/jci77347
  • 2012

    Up-regulation of 12(S)-lipoxygenase induces a migratory phenotype in colorectal cancer cells

    Klampfl T, Bogner E, Bednar W, Mager L, Massudom D, Kalny I, Heinzle C, Berger W, Stättner S, Karner J, Klimpfinger M, Fürstenberger G, Krieg P, Marian B. Up-regulation of 12(S)-lipoxygenase induces a migratory phenotype in colorectal cancer cells. Exp Cell Res. 2012 Apr 1;318(6):768-78. doi: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2011.12.017. Epub 2011 Dec 29. PMID: 22237009; PMCID: PMC3314953. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yexcr.2011.12.017