title: Control of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection utilizing a novel immunostimulatory peptide.
abstract: The emergence of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) is a serious health concern worldwide that requires new therapeutic approaches that extend beyond the development and use of new antibiotics. In this study, a conformationally biased, response-selective agonist of human C5a, known as EP67, was used to induce host innate immunity as a therapeutic method of reducing CA-MRSA infections. Using a murine model of dermonecrosis we show that EP67 treatment effectively limits CA-MRSA infection by promoting cytokine synthesis and neutrophil influx. In contrast, EP67 was ineffective in reducing lesion formation in C5a receptor (CD88(-/-)) knockout mice, indicating that EP67 activates host innate immunity by engagement of CD88 bearing cells. These results suggest that EP67 may serve as a novel immunotherapeutic for prevention and treatment of CA-MRSA dermal infection.
authors: Department of Biology, Center for Microbial Sciences, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182, USA.
authors: Tamsin R
authors: TR
authors: Sheen
authors: Courtney K
authors: CK
authors: Cavaco
authors: Celia M
authors: CM
authors: Ebrahimi
authors: Marilyn L
authors: ML
authors: Thoman
authors: Sam D
authors: SD
authors: Sanderson
authors: Edward L
authors: EL
authors: Morgan
authors: Kelly S
authors: KS
authors: Doran
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015936:Complement C5a / Q000819:agonists; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D010455:Peptides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013207:Staphylococcal Skin Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007155:Immunologic Factors; D010455:Peptides; D015936:Complement C5a