Effect of phage immune properties on phage therapy

Using the know immunological properties of phage an in silico mathematical model was developed to the outcome of a phage therapeutic intervention. Initial models would predict a failure of the therapeutic intervention when only the negative effect of the immune response towards the phage is taking into account. This is contradicting the fact that phage therapy works in a clinical setting.

The phage-immunity model predicts successful therapeutic interventions when the anti-inflammatory property of the phage is included. This shows the importance of phage anti-inflammatory properties to successfully remove a bacterial infection, although it is important to note that although the phage induce some anti-inflammatory pathways, they do not completely suppress the immune response.

This model hypothesizes that phage suppress those parts of the immune response that have a direct effect on the survival or removal of the phage particle. This is in line with our later observations in filamentous phage.