Resolving bacterial infections
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating whether resolution pathways become disrupted in bacterial infections
IRAS ID
292075
Contact name
Jesmond Dalli
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Queen Mary University of London
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Vertebrates, including humans, co-exists with a whole host of microbes that are by and large either uninfluential to our daily functions or even beneficial. In some instances, these microbes may become detrimental. This occurs when the body’s immune system, and in particular white blood cells, is no longer able to contain the invading microbe leading to malaise and in some cases even death.
The front-line medicines utilized in the treatment of bacterial infections are antibiotics, however due to many factors, including overuse and misuse, these are becoming increasing less effective since many bacterial strains, such as Staphylococcus aureus, have developed mechanisms to circumvent their actions. Thus, there is an urgent need for the identification of new approaches in the prevention and treatment of bacterial infections.
Studies exploring the defence mechanisms that are used by the body’s immune system to successfully keep microbes under control uncovered a role for essential fatty acid-derived molecules termed as specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPM) in white blood cells to ward off bacteria. Consequently, we propose that disruptions in the production of these molecules or their ability to exert their protective activities may lead to bacterial infections. Furthermore, these SPM may provide useful targets to develop new drugs that can rectify the ability of white blood cells to contain and kill bacteria and limit inflammation. To test this hypothesis, we will investigate whether the SPM levels are altered in patients with bacterial infections and how these changes correlate with altered white blood cell biology. We will also determine whether SPM can rectify white blood cell biology. Collectively these results will establish the utility of targeting SPM pathways in the treatment of bacterial infections and identify the mechanisms elicited by mediators on white blood cells to facilitate the clearance of these bacteria and the termination of inflammation.
REC name
London - Bromley Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/PR/1226
Date of REC Opinion
25 Oct 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion