Investigating bacterial virulence of aquatic pathogens using multiple host-pathogen models

使用多种宿主-病原体模型研究水生病原体的细菌毒力

• 批准号: RGPIN-2019-04444
• 负责人: Charette, Steve
• 金额: $ 3.06万
• 依托单位: Université Laval
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2022-01-01 至 2023-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=744408
• 关键词: Investigating; bacterial; virulence; aquatic; pathogens

Virulence is defined as the ability of a bacterial pathogen to injure a host by producing factors that are essential for the pathogen to invade, multiply and thrive in the host. There is an ongoing research effort to identify and functionally describe these factors in order to understand the behavior of bacterial pathogens. This research is also crucial for the development of judicious treatments that can be used as alternatives to antibiotics which are less and less effective against a wide variety of pathogens infecting humans, but also animals. For example, the aquaculture is afflicted worldwide by the emergence of antibiotic multi-resistant pathogens. The long-term objective of my research program is to identify the molecular basis of the virulence factors produced by aquatic pathogens as well as ways to inhibit or modulate them in order to prevent or treat bacterial infections. Over the next five years, my research program will continue to concentrate on the study of Aeromonas salmonicida, a major fish pathogen. We will continue to explore the involvement of the numerous mobile genetic elements in the instability of its genome leading to loss of virulence factors in response to stressful conditions. We will also initiate research on the interaction of A. salmonicida with protozoa and fish in a new AQuatic Containment level 2 (AQC2) in vivo facilities, opening the door to experiments not feasible in the past. My proposed research program will provide a better understanding of the virulence of A. salmonicida and of pathogens in general including its interactions with multiple hosts. Based on our ongoing effort to understand the pathogenic basis of A. salmonicida and the objectives set out in this proposal, we are confident that concrete treatments against this bacterium will be possible on a relative short term.

毒力被定义为细菌病原体通过产生病原体侵入、繁殖和在宿主体内生长所必需的因子来伤害宿主的能力。目前正在进行研究工作来识别和功能描述这些因素，以了解细菌病原体的行为。这项研究对于开发明智的治疗方法也至关重要，这些治疗方法可以用作抗生素的替代品，而抗生素对感染人类和动物的多种病原体的效果越来越差。例如，世界范围内的水产养殖业因抗生素多重耐药病原体的出现而受到困扰。我的研究计划的长期目标是确定水生病原体产生的毒力因子的分子基础以及抑制或调节它们以预防或治疗细菌感染的方法。 在接下来的五年中，我的研究计划将继续集中于杀鲑气单胞菌（一种主要的鱼类病原体）的研究。我们将继续探索众多可移动遗传元件参与其基因组的不稳定性，从而导致在应对应激条件时毒力因子的丧失。我们还将在新的 2 级水生生物遏制 (AQC2) 体内设施中启动杀鲑鱼与原生动物和鱼类相互作用的研究，为过去不可行的实验打开大门。我提出的研究计划将有助于更好地了解杀鲑鱼和一般病原体的毒力，包括其与多个宿主的相互作用。基于我们对杀鲑鱼致​​病基础的持续努力以及本提案中提出的目标，我们相信在相对短期内可以针对这种细菌进行具体治疗。