How bacterial outer membrane vesicles enter immune cells
Identify new regulators of outer membrane vesicle entry into macrophages
Researchers are searching for cell factors that let tiny bacterial packets enter immune cells, to help people with Gram-negative bacterial infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11233281 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team uses genome-wide CRISPR screening in macrophage cells to find genes that control how outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) from Gram-negative bacteria get into immune cells. They will validate top candidate genes and study how these genes affect OMV uptake, endosomal escape, and triggering of inflammatory cell death (pyroptosis). Most experiments are done in lab-grown macrophage models to trace the steps by which OMV components reach the cell interior. The findings aim to map the early entry events that spark inflammation during bacterial infections.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project does not enroll patients; its results may later benefit people who suffer from Gram-negative bacterial infections such as sepsis or certain pneumonias.
Not a fit: People with infections not caused by Gram-negative bacteria or conditions unrelated to macrophage-driven inflammation are unlikely to benefit directly from these findings in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new targets to block harmful bacterial material from entering immune cells and reduce excessive inflammation during Gram-negative infections.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research has defined downstream pyroptosis signaling, but using unbiased genome-wide CRISPR screens to find upstream OMV entry regulators is a newer approach with promising preliminary candidate genes.
Where this research is happening
Aurora, UNITED STATES
- University of Colorado Denver — Aurora, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Suzhao — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Li, Suzhao
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.