SSLs: How Staph bacteria dodge our lungs and a potential therapy for pneumonia
Official title: SSLs immune manipulation in S aureus colonization, infection, and a potential therapy against pneumonia
Funded at Louisiana State Univ A&m Col Baton Rouge · NIH-11378779 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how Staphylococcus aureus uses SSLs to avoid our immune system in lung infections and explores a possible treatment to prevent pneumonia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Louisiana State Univ A&m Col Baton Rouge NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baton Rouge, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $425,321 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI192403-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11378779 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients at risk for or suffering from Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia, including ICU patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia, may benefit from advances arising from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without S. aureus infection or pneumonia may not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
Staphylococcus aureus can cause deadly pneumonia, especially in hospital and ICU settings, and antibiotic resistance makes this a big challenge. The research focuses on SSL proteins that help the bacteria evade neutrophils in the lungs and aims to understand how this balance affects infection and inflammation. By studying how SSLs alter neutrophil movement and function, the team hopes to uncover new ways to block infection and reduce tissue damage. The project will use human-relevant samples and models to link bacterial tactics with patient outcomes and potential therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new therapies that prevent or treat S. aureus pneumonia and reduce deaths from this infection.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that targeting bacterial immune evasion can improve infection outcomes, but SSL-specific strategies in pneumonia are still emerging.
Where this research is happening
-
Louisiana State Univ A&m Col Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Chen — Louisiana State Univ A&m Col Baton Rouge
- Study coordinator: Chen, Chen
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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.