Infection with the bacterial pathogen Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Tm) results in acute inflammatory diarrhea. S. Tm invades the intestinal epithelium and replicates in the tissue phagocytes, triggering a potent mucosal inflammatory response aimed at clearing the invading bacteria. Intriguingly, intestinal inflammation results in an expansion of the S. Tm population in the gut lumen. The molecular mechanisms underlying the outgrowth of S. Tm over the indigenous microbiota remains largely unknown. Our central hypothesis is that the inflamed gut constitutes a peculiar nutritional environment that enables S. Tm to outgrow competing commensal microbes. We will test key aspects of our hypothesis by pursuing the following specific aims: 1.) Determine the contribution of the electron donor formate to growth of S. Tm in the inflamed gut lumen and test the working hypothesis that inflammation perturbs syntrophic relationships between formate-producing and -consuming microbes, allowing S. Tm to access the formate pool during growth in the inflamed gut. 2.) Determine how host-derived electron acceptors alter regulation of the TCA cycle and explore potential consequences. Successful completion has a strong potential to have a high impact on gastroenteritis research by providing a novel concept, i.e. that an enteric pathogen exploits metabolites from both, the host (electron acceptors) and the microbiota (fermentation end products). We envision that a better understanding of the mechanisms by which S. Tm outgrows competing microbes during inflammation will aid the development of new and innovative approaches for treatment.

Public Health Relevance

Salmonella serotypes are the most common cause of death and hospitalization from diarrheal disease and the leading cause of food-borne disease outbreaks in the United States, generating between $0.5 billion to $2.3 billion in costs for medical care and lost productivity annually in the US. Research proposed in this application will support pioneering studies on molecular mechanisms that control bacterial colonization and host transmission. The proposed studies will drive knowledge about Salmonella gastroenteritis to a higher level by providing new mechanistic insights into pathogenesis and by facilitating the development of new intervention strategies through science.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AI118807-05
Application #
9674384
Study Section
Bacterial Pathogenesis Study Section (BACP)
Program Officer
Alexander, William A
Project Start
2015-05-01
Project End
2019-12-17
Budget Start
2019-05-01
Budget End
2019-12-17
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2019
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Texas Sw Medical Center Dallas
Department
Microbiology/Immun/Virology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
800771545
City
Dallas
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
75390
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