How the bladder's protective sugar coating affects catheter-related urinary infections
The urothelial glycosaminoglycan layer: composition and contribution to pathogen fitness during catheter-associated urinary tract infection
Looking at how the bladder's sugar-rich coating and bacterial enzymes influence infections in people who use urinary catheters.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University of New York at Buffalo NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Amherst, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11386558 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will examine the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) layer that coats the bladder surface and how its composition changes when bacteria colonize catheters. The team will study common catheter-associated bacteria such as Proteus mirabilis and Enterococcus faecalis and the enzymes those microbes use to break down the GAG layer. Work will combine lab-grown bladder cell and 3-D tissue models with experimental infection models and analysis of clinical samples to see how GAG changes help bacteria stick, grow, and spread to the kidneys. The goal is to connect these laboratory findings to real-world catheter-associated urinary tract infections to point toward new prevention or treatment approaches.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people who use an indwelling urinary catheter, especially older adults or those with repeated catheter-associated UTIs, who can provide urine or clinical samples if asked.
Not a fit: People without urinary catheters or those with non-bacterial bladder conditions would be unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new ways to prevent or limit catheter-associated urinary infections and reduce severe outcomes like kidney infection and urosepsis.
How similar studies have performed: Prior lab and animal studies suggest the bladder GAG layer affects bacterial attachment and that blocking bacterial GAG-degrading enzymes can reduce infection in models, but translating these findings to human care is still limited.
Where this research is happening
Amherst, United States
- State University of New York at Buffalo — Amherst, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Armbruster, Chelsie Elizabeth — State University of New York at Buffalo
- Study coordinator: Armbruster, Chelsie Elizabeth
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.