Common airway bacteria Prevotella that boost lung defenses against infection
Airway Prevotella enhance innate immune-mediated protection against lung infection
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER · NIH-11321594
This work looks at whether a common airway bacterium, Prevotella melaninogenica, can strengthen lung immune defenses to help prevent or clear bacterial pneumonia.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11321594 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You will hear about research showing certain bacteria that normally live in the airway may help protect against pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. The team uses genetic sequencing of airway microbes and an animal model that mimics the human lung to study how Prevotella melaninogenica improves early bacterial clearance. Early findings show exposure to Prevotella makes neutrophils produce TNFα through the TLR2 pathway and kill pneumococcus better, and that digesting Prevotella lipoproteins removes this benefit. Learning these steps could point to ways to boost natural lung defenses or design new preventive treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would include people at risk for bacterial pneumonia or those willing to provide airway samples for microbiome and immune studies.
Not a fit: People with non-bacterial lung infections or those with severely weakened immune systems may not benefit from approaches based on boosting neutrophil-mediated antibacterial responses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new ways to prevent or lessen bacterial pneumonia by harnessing or mimicking beneficial airway bacteria.
How similar studies have performed: Previous microbiome and preclinical studies have linked certain airway bacteria with lower pneumococcal levels, but using Prevotella to actively boost lung immunity is a relatively new, preclinical approach.
Where this research is happening
Aurora, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER — Aurora, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: CLARK, SARAH E — UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER
- Study coordinator: CLARK, SARAH E
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.