Virulence and Immunomodulatory Roles of Bacterial Outer Membrane Vesicles

Outer membrane (OM) vesicles are ubiquitously produced by Gram-negative bacteria during all stages of bacterial growth. OM vesicles are naturally secreted by both pathogenic and nonpathogenic bacteria. Strong experimental evidence exists to categorize OM vesicle production as a type of Gram-negative bacterial virulence factor. A growing body of data demonstrates an association of active virulence factors and toxins with vesicles, suggesting that they play a role in pathogenesis. One of the most popular and best-studied pathogenic functions for membrane vesicles is to serve as natural vehicles for the intercellular transport of virulence factors and other materials directly into host cells. The production of OM…

• HF
  Hartwell Foundation
• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Award: R01AI079068
• DO
  Department of Biology, Duke University
• NI
  National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases