(519.1) The Effect of Antibiotics on Outer Membrane Vesicle Production

Poster Board Number: A436

Milena Dinu (Rochester Institute of Technology), Lea Michel (Rochester Institute of Technology), Thomas Gaborski (Rochester Institute of Technology), Janai Perdue (Rochester Institute of Technology), Anna Kasper (Rochester Institute of Technology), Ryan Morehouse (Rochester Institute of Technology)

Sepsis is a condition in which the body’s inflammatory response to an infection is overwhelming and unregulated. Sepsis-related inflammation can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and even death. Once diagnosed, most sepsis patients are put on a regimen of antibiotics, especially if a bacterial infection is the suspected cause of sepsis. We proposed that at least some antibiotics may enhance the release of potentially toxic and inflammatory molecules from bacteria. Specifically, we considered several clinically relevant antibiotics and their effect on the release of outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) from Gram-negative Escherichia coli. We employed ultracentrifugation to purify the OMVs and Western blotting to quantify the OMVs released from E. coli. Preliminary results suggest that, using our methods, some antibiotics enhance the production of OMVs from E. coli.

Support or Funding Information

Part of the research reported in this presentation was supported by NIAID of the National Institutes of Health under award number R21AI163782 (to LVM)