In Vivo Imaging of Neutrophil Responses to Localized S. aureus Infection

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a highly virulent, multidrug –resistant pathogen responsible for the majority of soft tissue infections. The role of neutrophils in S. aureus soft tissue infections is currently unclear. The objective of this thesis was to characterize early neutrophil recruitment to a localized MRSA infection. Using spinning disk confocal microscopy, we developed a mouse model to visualize the behaviour of neutrophils in the skin following the introduction of an agarose bead embedded with GFP-expressing MRSA. We observed significant neutrophil recruitment not only in the venules but also in the capillaries, which we showed to be mediated by the β2 and α4 integrins. Blocking these integrins in mouse models increased capillary perfusion, reduced cell death at early time points, and altered lesion size during infection. Understanding the contribution of neutrophils in MRSA soft tissue infection will help to elucidate novel therapeutic targets in these infections.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MSc)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Immunology

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Graduate Studies

Year dc:date.issued

2013

Author dc:creator

• Harding, Mark

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Kubes, Paul
• Zhang, Kunyan

• Microbiology
• Immunology

Statement dc:rights

• University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.

Language dc:language.iso

eng

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/26670

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ucalgary.scholaris.ca:11023/1201