Molecular mechanisms of immune evasion in Staphylococcus aureus

National Institute Of Allergy And Infectious Diseases

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

In FY 2021, we continued our investigation of virulence factors that contribute to Staphylococcus aureus pathogenesis and immune evasion. The focus is on understanding which factors define the virulence potential of highly virulent MSSA and MRSA clones, in particular of community-associated MRSA. Much of our work is currently still focussed on phenol-soluble modulins (PSMs), toxins that we discovered in 2007. We collaborate with a series of researchers in different fields, analyzing the contribution of PSMs to different phenotypes. Current efforts in our own lab are aimed at understanding the mechanism of the PSM exporter, the function of PSMs as signals of staphylococcal invasion, and the involvement of PSMs and quorum-sensing in staphylococcal sepsis. New directions of research included investigation of interactions of staphylococci with other bacteria, for example with bacilli during intestinal colonization and the general role of intestinal colonization by S. aureus. We are also collaborating with several institutions, including Shanghai Renji Hospital (Dr. Min Li's group) on bacterial interactions in the nose and on the skin, focusing on staphylococci.