A Staph aureus protein that blocks neutrophil movement
How S. aureus protein SSL11 inhibits neutrophil migration
This research is testing whether a protein made by Staphylococcus aureus keeps neutrophils (a type of immune cell) from moving during lung infections and how that affects pneumonia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Louisiana State Univ A&m Col Baton Rouge NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baton Rouge, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11115630 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are looking at a Staph aureus protein called SSL11 to understand how it makes neutrophils stick and stop moving by binding to integrins. In the lab they will use human neutrophils and biochemical tests to see how SSL11 causes cells to adhere. They will also use a mouse model of pneumonia to see whether SSL11 limits neutrophil migration in the lungs and whether that changes disease severity. The goal is to learn if blocking this interaction could prevent the bacteria from hiding and causing worse infection.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who have had Staphylococcus aureus lung infections or those at high risk for ventilator-associated staph pneumonia, as well as healthy volunteers who can donate blood for neutrophil samples, would be most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: Patients with lung disease caused by non-Staphylococcus pathogens or conditions unrelated to neutrophil function are unlikely to get direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to protect immune cells from Staph aureus tactics and lead to treatments that reduce the severity of staph pneumonia.
How similar studies have performed: Other research shows some bacterial toxins change immune-cell behavior, but the specific role of SSL11 and its integrin interaction is a relatively new finding.
Where this research is happening
Baton Rouge, United States
- Louisiana State Univ A&m Col Baton Rouge — Baton Rouge, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Chen — Louisiana State Univ A&m Col Baton Rouge
- Study coordinator: Chen, Chen
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.