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Bacteriophages as Immune Modulators: Current Insights and Future Directions
Kollawat Somsri1,2,3, Nuttawut Sutnu2,3, Sirikan Montathip2,3
1Chulalongkorn University International Medical Program (CU-MEDi), Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
PHAGE (New Rochelle, N.Y.)
|May 18, 2026
Summary
Bacteriophages, viruses targeting bacteria, offer a promising alternative to antibiotics for treating infections. Research explores their infection cycles, immune modulation, and potential in combating antimicrobial resistance.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Bacteriophages are the most abundant biological entities on Earth.
- Phage therapy, using bacteriophages to treat bacterial infections, has a long history but declined with antibiotic development.
- Rising antimicrobial resistance necessitates exploring alternative treatments like phage therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine bacteriophage-host cell interactions.
- To explore bacteriophage infection cycles and their role in personalized phage therapy.
- To review current research on bacteriophages, including their impact on inflammation and immunity.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on bacteriophage infection cycles.
- Analysis of bacteriophage mechanisms in modulating host cell responses.
- Examination of research on bacteriophage-induced inflammation and immune modulation.
Main Results:
- Bacteriophages utilize lytic and lysogenic cycles to infect bacteria.
- Phage therapy is a principal mechanism for treating bacterial infections.
- Bacteriophages can modulate inflammatory responses and impact host health.
Conclusions:
- Bacteriophage-based applications are gaining renewed interest due to antimicrobial resistance.
- Phages show potential as standalone or adjuvant immunological agents.
- Further research is needed to fully understand and utilize bacteriophages in medicine.
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