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Investigation of Alpha-Toxin Secretions in Biofilm Conditioned Medium as a Potential Pro-Inflammatory Disruptor to Macrophages

Rogers, Tara Marie
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4391-4999
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ksuhonors1557145132511741

Abstract Details

2019, BS, Kent State University, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Biological Sciences.
S. aureus biofilm infections, common in patients with chronic wounds or artificial implants, are clinically significant due to their ability to subvert the human innate immune response and to result in persistent illness. Previous investigations suggest that S. aureus biofilms attenuate macrophage-mediated antimicrobial function by disrupting NF-κB-coordinated transcription of pro-inflammatory intermediates. However, the identity of one or more bacterial molecules responsible for this dysfunction remains unknown. This study investigates the S. aureus-produced protein alpha-toxin as a potential effector molecule that acts on macrophages to impair their antibacterial response. In this study, agonists for pattern recognition receptors including TLR2, TLR9, and NOD2 are used to stimulate RAW 264.7 macrophages toward an M1 pro-inflammatory phenotype while they are co-cultured in conditioned medium from cultured wild-type or alpha-toxin-mutant S. aureus biofilms. Using qPCR analysis and an antibiotic protection assay, the pro-inflammatory response of macrophages in either environment can be quantified and compared to assess the effect of alpha-toxin on one or more receptor-mediated pathways. Characterization of this host-microbe interaction can lead to a better understanding of the innate immune response, as well as to the development of targeted therapies to improve healthcare outcomes for patients with S. aureus biofilm infections.
Min-Ho Kim, Ph.D. (Advisor)
Alexander Seed, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Gary Koski, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Songping Huang, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
83 p.
Biology; Biomedical Research; Cellular Biology; Immunology; Microbiology; Molecular Biology
Staphylococcus aureus; Biofilm; Staphylococcus aureus biofilm; Alpha-toxin; Macrophage; Inflammation

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Rogers, T. M. (2019). Investigation of Alpha-Toxin Secretions in Biofilm Conditioned Medium as a Potential Pro-Inflammatory Disruptor to Macrophages [Undergraduate thesis, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ksuhonors1557145132511741

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Rogers, Tara. Investigation of Alpha-Toxin Secretions in Biofilm Conditioned Medium as a Potential Pro-Inflammatory Disruptor to Macrophages . 2019. Kent State University, Undergraduate thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ksuhonors1557145132511741.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Rogers, Tara. "Investigation of Alpha-Toxin Secretions in Biofilm Conditioned Medium as a Potential Pro-Inflammatory Disruptor to Macrophages ." Undergraduate thesis, Kent State University, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ksuhonors1557145132511741

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ksuhonors1557145132511741
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© 2019, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Kent State University Honors College and OhioLINK.