How ADAM10 changes white blood cell and blood vessel interactions during Staph aureus infections
Modulation of neutrophil-endothelial interactions by ADAM10
Researchers are looking at whether a protein called ADAM10 changes how white blood cells and blood vessels react during Staphylococcus aureus infections in children and adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11262882 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have a Staph aureus infection, the team is studying how the bacterial toxin alpha-toxin (Hla) uses a human protein called ADAM10 to damage blood vessel cells and cause neutrophil-platelet clumping. They will use lab-grown endothelial cells, blood cell models, and animal models to see how changing ADAM10 levels or activity alters that damage and immune cell behavior. The goal is to identify host factors that make infections worse so future therapies might block that pathway and protect the vasculature. This project builds on prior work linking Hla and ADAM10 to vascular injury and explores the detailed mechanisms behind those effects.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People (children and adults) with current, recurrent, or high-risk Staphylococcus aureus infections would be the most relevant candidates for future trials based on this work.
Not a fit: Patients whose infections are caused by other bacteria or whose illness does not involve blood-vessel injury are unlikely to benefit directly from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new ways to protect blood vessels and reduce severe complications from Staphylococcus aureus infections.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies, including the investigators' work, show that S. aureus alpha-toxin targets ADAM10 and causes endothelial injury, so this project extends established findings into new mechanistic details.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bubeck Wardenburg, Juliane — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Bubeck Wardenburg, Juliane
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.