How past Staph exposure can weaken vaccine protection
Mechanisms of vaccine interference by S. aureus-induced imprints
This project looks at how prior Staphylococcus aureus exposure changes immune responses and may make vaccines less protective for people who have been exposed.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11257326 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my point of view as a patient, researchers are using mouse models that mimic repeated human Staph exposure and examining blood and immune cells to see how the bacteria drives IL-10 production and changes antibody sugar patterns (Fc sialylation). They will measure how those changes blunt protective B and T cell responses and recall non-protective antibodies after vaccination. The team will test whether blocking IL-10 or altering antibody glycosylation can restore vaccine effectiveness in their models. The goal is to explain why past Staph vaccines failed and guide new approaches that work in people with prior exposure.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be people with prior Staphylococcus aureus colonization or recurrent Staph infections, or those with frequent occupational exposure to Staph.
Not a fit: People without prior Staph exposure or whose infections are caused by other pathogens are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to ways to design vaccines or treatments that overcome Staph-induced immune changes and improve protection against S. aureus infections.
How similar studies have performed: Prior preclinical work from this group explained past Staph vaccine failures and identified IL-10 and antibody sialylation as likely mechanisms, but direct clinical solutions have not yet been proven.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- University of California, San Diego — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liu, George Y — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Liu, George Y
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.