Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 6, 2026

Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA
12:18

Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA

Published on: February 10, 2011

22.2K

Olfm4 deletion enhances defense against Staphylococcus aureus in chronic granulomatous disease

Wenli Liu1, Ming Yan, Janyce A Sugui

  • 1Molecular and Clinical Hematology Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.

The Journal of Clinical Investigation
|August 3, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Deleting Olfactomedin 4 (OLFM4) enhances immune defense against Staphylococcus aureus infections in a mouse model of chronic granulomatous disease (CGD). However, it did not improve defense against Aspergillus fumigatus.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Microbiology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is characterized by recurrent, life-threatening bacterial and fungal infections.
  • Olfactomedin 4 (OLFM4), a neutrophil granule protein, is known to negatively regulate host defense against bacterial infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of Olfm4 deletion on host defense against Staphylococcus aureus and Aspergillus fumigatus in a murine X-linked gp91phox-deficiency CGD model.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a murine X-linked gp91phox-deficiency CGD model.
  • Assessed host defense mechanisms, including intracellular killing, in vivo clearance, and sepsis resistance against S. aureus.
  • Evaluated immune responses by measuring protease activities and serum cytokine levels.
  • Used a lung infection model to test defense against Aspergillus fumigatus.

Main Results:

  • Mice deficient in both gp91phox and Olfm4 showed significantly enhanced intracellular killing and in vivo clearance of S. aureus compared to CGD mice.
  • Resistance to S. aureus sepsis was also significantly increased in double-deficient mice.
  • Activities of cathepsin C and downstream proteases, along with serum levels of various cytokines and chemokines, were elevated in Olfm4-deficient mice after S. aureus challenge.
  • No enhanced defense against A. fumigatus was observed in Olfm4-deficient mice.

Conclusions:

  • Olfactomedin 4 (OLFM4) deletion enhances immune defense against Staphylococcus aureus in a CGD mouse model.
  • OLFM4 deletion does not improve defense against Aspergillus fumigatus in this model.
  • OLFM4 represents a potential therapeutic target for augmenting bacterial infection defense in CGD patients.

More Related Videos

Assessing Anti-fungal Activity of Isolated Alveolar Macrophages by Confocal Microscopy09:04

Assessing Anti-fungal Activity of Isolated Alveolar Macrophages by Confocal Microscopy

Published on: July 10, 2014

10.7K
Effect of Anti-c-fms Antibody on Osteoclast Formation and Proliferation of Osteoclast Precursor In Vitro07:51

Effect of Anti-c-fms Antibody on Osteoclast Formation and Proliferation of Osteoclast Precursor In Vitro

Published on: March 18, 2019

5.3K

Related Concept Videos

Defense Mechanism Against Infection01:26

Defense Mechanism Against Infection

Natural flora, body system defenses, and inflammation are natural barriers of the body against infectious agents regardless of previous exposure. Normal floras of the human body refer to the microbial population that colonizes the skin and mucous membranes.
In addition, many body organ systems have unique defenses against infection. The skin is an intact, multilayered surface preventing invasion by microorganisms unless impaired. Mucous membranes lining the mouth, nose, and eyelids are barriers...
9.7K
Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure01:03

Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure

The process of olfaction, also known as the sense of smell, is a sophisticated chemical response system. The specialized sensory neurons that facilitate this process, known as olfactory receptor neurons, are situated in an upper segment of the nasal cavity, known as the olfactory epithelium. Olfactory sensory neurons are bipolar, with their dendrites extending from the epithelium's apex into the mucus that lines the nasal cavity. Airborne molecules, when inhaled, traverse the olfactory...
10.6K
Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens01:31

Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens

The human immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against bacterial infections. It consists of various immune cells, each playing a specific role in the defense mechanism.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
3.1K
Cystic Fibrosis: Pathogenesis01:23

Cystic Fibrosis: Pathogenesis

Cystic fibrosis (CF), an autosomal recessive disorder, significantly affects the function of exocrine glands. This genetically inherited disease is characterized by the production of thick and sticky mucus, which can severely affect various organs and systems in the body.
CF is primarily caused by a genetic mutation in a chromosome 7 gene coding for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. The most common gene mutation leading to CF is the ΔF508 mutation,...
1.1K
Staphylococcal Skin Infections01:29

Staphylococcal Skin Infections

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive coccus that resides harmlessly on the skin and mucous membranes of healthy individuals. When the skin barrier is breached, it can shift from a commensal to an opportunistic pathogen. This transition is facilitated by surface adhesins, such as clumping factor B and S. aureus surface protein G (SasG), which bind to structural proteins, including loricrin and cytokeratin, in the damaged epidermis. Protein A, another key factor, binds the Fc region of...
150
Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance01:25

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within...
106