Award
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases 1F31AI197797-01
Enterococcal Stimulation of the Mucosal IgA Response
Recipient
University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO
Award Amount
$42,995.00
Ceiling
$42,995.00
Awarded
April 08, 2026
Identifier
1F31AI197797-01
This award funds research on how Enterococcus faecalis interacts with the mucosal immune system, specifically the IgA antibody, to understand its role in colonization and infection, potentially informing prevention strategies.
Description
Enterococcus faecalis is a Gram-positive bacterium found in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of healthy humans. Disruption of gut-immune homeostasis can lead to overgrowth of E. faecalis, translocation across the intestinal epithelium, and serious conditions such as infective endocarditis. The bacterium's virulence factor, EPA, is a cell wall glycan essential for colonization. Mutations impairing EPA biosynthesis reduce GI colonization. The study aims to evaluate the interaction between EPA and IgA, the dominant secretory antibody, to understand EPA's role during host-pathogen interactions and the transition of commensal enterococci to opportunistic pathogens.