Innate immune responses of mast cells during Salmonella and Escherichia infections

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Guntram Alexander Graßl
• Subject Area: Parasitology and Biology of Tropical Infectious Disease Pathogens
• Term: from 2005 to 2009
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5451543

Although much information exists about how Escherichia coli and Salmonella species exist in culture, much less is known about how these organisms actually cause disease. Specific bacterial virulence factors are needed for various stages of disease, and these virulence factors are capable of targeting specific host processes. The host response to these pathogens plays a critical part of the disease process. There is evidence emerging that mast cells, in addititon to their prominent role in allergy, play a critical role in innate immunity and host defense against pathogens. Upon infection with pathogens mast cells release mediators, such as TNFa and histamine, and they are capable of phagocytosis of the pathogen. This proposal focuses on characterizing the host response of mast cells to pathogenic E. coli and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, including specific responses to particular bacterial virulence factors. This proposal is divides into two related experimental apporaches: 1. to determine the mast cell activation in response to E. coli and Salmonella and to characterize which bacterial virulence factors mediate these effects using various mutant strains and 2. to determine the role of mast cells in relevant mouse infection models.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: Canada
• Cooperation Partner: Professor Dr. Brett Finlay