How Salmonella biofilms and the host protein ZBP1 may cause reactive arthritis
Official title: Role of ZBP1 in pathogenesis of Salmonella biofilms
Funded at Research Inst of Fox Chase Can Ctr · NIH-11325302 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work looks at how bacterial biofilms from Salmonella and a human protein called ZBP1 can spark immune reactions that sometimes cause long-lasting joint pain after a gut infection.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Research Inst of Fox Chase Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | May 11, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $834,784 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI171568-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11325302 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People who recently had a confirmed Salmonella (enteric) infection and who developed new, persistent joint pain or diagnosed reactive arthritis would be the most relevant candidates.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with arthritis unrelated to prior gut infections (for example primary osteoarthritis or seropositive rheumatoid arthritis without a recent enteric infection) are less likely to benefit directly from these findings.
What this research studies
If you've had a Salmonella gut infection that was followed by persistent joint pain, this research aims to find why that happens. Scientists found that Salmonella makes curli proteins that cling to bacterial DNA in biofilms, and that this curli:DNA mix includes unusual Z-DNA that may rile up the immune system. The team will use bacterial models, cells, and animal experiments to see how Z-DNA and the human sensor ZBP1 trigger interferons, IL-17, and autoantibodies linked to reactive arthritis. Their goal is to pinpoint the molecular trigger so new prevention or treatment strategies can be developed.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to new ways to prevent or treat reactive arthritis after Salmonella infection by targeting the curli:DNA trigger or the ZBP1 pathway.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies showed curli:DNA complexes can provoke immune responses and that Z-form nucleic acids are sensed by ZBP1 in viral infections, but applying this mechanism to Salmonella-triggered reactive arthritis is a novel direction.
Where this research is happening
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Research Inst of Fox Chase Can Ctr
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Balachandran, Siddharth — Research Inst of Fox Chase Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Balachandran, Siddharth
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.