The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) awarded a $488,537 Project Grant (CFDA 93.855 - Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research) to Brigham & Women's Hospital Inc. to characterize the production of Staphylococcus aureus extracellular membrane vesicles (MVs) during infection and evaluate their biological effects on the host. The project aims to establish methodology for purifying and analyzing S. aureus MVs recovered from infected animal models, including murine air pouch and pneumonia models. Key activities include: 1) Characterizing the protein composition of S. aureus MVs generated in vitro versus in vivo to identify any differences, and correlating gene expression with MV protein cargo; and 2) Evaluating the cytotoxicity and host immune responses elicited by physiologically relevant numbers of MVs purified from infected tissues. This research is expected to deepen the understanding of the role MVs play in S. aureus pathogenesis, especially for Gram-positive pathogens. The project period runs from May 2024 to March 2026.
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