Quorum signal eavesdropping by Moraxella catarrhalis

描述（由申请人提供）：本项目旨在定义卡他莫拉菌（Mcat）如何感知其他生物产生的群体信号。Mcat是引起中耳炎和其他机会性气道感染的主要病原体之一，我们的数据显示Mcat可以感知流感嗜血杆菌产生的二羟基戊二酮（DPD）群体信号。我们假设Mcat“窃听”了其他病原体产生的群体信号分子，导致Hag粘附素的产生增加，并伴随生物膜抗性特性的增加。为了解决这一假设，我们将完成以下具体目标：具体目标1：确定Mcat摄取DPD的决定因素。具体目标2。定义Mcat患者DPD反应的决定因素。具体目标3。目的探讨群体信号窃听在实验性中耳炎Mcat持续性和毒性中的重要性。中耳炎是最常见的儿科传染病之一，影响着大多数儿童，在总健康中占数十亿美元

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This project aims to define how Moraxella catarrhalis (Mcat) senses quorum signals produced by other organisms. Mcat is among are the predominant agents causing otitis media and other opportunistic airway infections, and our data show that Mcat can sense dihydroxypentanedione (DPD) quorum signals produced by Haemophilus influenzae. We hypothesize that Mcat "eavesdrops" on quorum signal molecules produced by other pathogens, resulting in increased production of the Hag adhesin and concomitant increases in biofilm resistance properties. In order to address this hypothesis we will complete the following Specific Aims: Specific Aim 1: To identify determinants of DPD uptake by Mcat. Specific Aim 2. To define the determinants of DPD response in Mcat. Specific Aim 3. To define importance of quorum signal eavesdropping in Mcat persistence and virulence during experimental otitis media. Otitis media is among the most common pediatric infectious diseases, affecting the majority of children and accounting for billions of dollars in total health care costs per year. It is clear that a significant proportion of these infections are caused by Mcat, for which there is no currently licensed vaccine. Unfortunately, our ability to treat these infections is increasingly limited by the continued emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains. The results of these studies will provide significant insight into mechanisms for the persistence of Mcat in the polymicrobial infections that represent the majority of cases. Such insights could be pivotal advances in the design of new means for treatment of chronic Mcat infections.