Role of Innate Immunity in Pulmonary Burkholderia Infection
Institution: Colorado State University (CSU), Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Fort Collins, Colorado
Principal Investigators: Steven Dow, DVM, Ph.D.
Co-Principal Investigator: John Belisle, Ph.D. - CSU
Collaborators and Core Labs:
Herbert Schweizer, Ph.D. - CSU
Animal Models Core - CSUExpected Product: Development of novel immunotherapeutics candidates effective against Burkholderia mallei and B. pseudomallei
Introduction:
Burkholderia mallei and others in the genus have significant potential for use as bioweapons, yet little is known about the pathogenesis of pneumonic Burkholderia infection. For example, the key effector cells or cytokines regulating innate immunity to Burkholderia have not been previously investigated. Therefore, we will develop a pulmonary infection model that will allow us to assess innate immune responses to B. mallei. Aim 1, we will assess the early pulmonary innate immune response to infection with Burkholderia. In Aim 2, we will determine the role of key cytokines and signalling molecules of the innate immune system in controlling Burkholeria infection in the lungs. In Aim 3, we will assess the ability of immunotherapy with novel liposome-TLR agonist complexes to elicit protective immunity against pneumonic Burkholderia infection. These studies will provide important new information critical to the design of new prophylactic or therapeutic interventions against this emerging bioweapon agent.