Natural histone proteins and immune peptides to fight wound bacteria
Synergistic killing of bacterial pathogens by histones
This project explores whether combining natural proteins called histones with an immune peptide can kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria that cause chronic skin and wound infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11372660 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many chronic wounds, especially in people with diabetes, are infected by antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The researchers are learning from a natural defense called neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), which use histones and a peptide called LL-37 to stop microbes. In the lab they will combine histones and LL-37 with bacteria to see how the peptide helps histones enter bacteria, disrupt gene activity, and cause bacterial death. The goal is to turn that mechanism into new antibiotics or wound treatments when current drugs fail.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This work is most relevant to people with chronic, non-healing skin or wound infections—especially diabetic foot ulcers—caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Not a fit: People with viral or fungal skin conditions or non-infectious skin problems are unlikely to benefit from this specific antibacterial work, and immediate clinical treatments are not yet available because the work is preclinical.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that kill resistant bacteria in chronic skin and wound infections, offering options when standard antibiotics no longer work.
How similar studies have performed: Early laboratory work from the investigators showed that pairing histones with the AMP LL-37 produces strong bactericidal synergy, but translating that into a safe, effective therapy is still new and under development.
Where this research is happening
Irvine, United States
- University of California-Irvine — Irvine, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Siryaporn, Albert — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Siryaporn, Albert
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.