# Immunization against Pf bacteriophage in Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection

> **NIH NIH K08** · STANFORD UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $161,792

## Abstract

Project Summary
Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) is a deadly bacteria that is strongly associated with wound infections, particularly
in the setting of immunocompromised hosts such as diabetics and hospitalized patients. Due to worsening
antibiotic resistance, it has become increasingly difficult to treat Pa infections.
I recently described a novel vaccine that may protect against Pa infections. The antigenic target of this vaccine
is a bacteriophage – a virus that is produced by Pa. Unlike lytic phages that lyse their bacterial hosts and can
be used in phage therapy, Pf phage is a temperate phage that contributes to Pa fitness and virulence. In
particular, Pf phage act as structural elements that promote the formation of biofilms and promote the
establishment of Pa infections. Building on this insight, we showed that vaccinating mice with a peptide sequence
from the major coat protein (CoaB) of Pf phage as well as passive immunization with anti-Pf phage monoclonal
antibodies prevents Pa wound infections. However, much work remains before this vaccine can be used to
prevent Pa wound infections in humans.
My hypothesis is that humoral immunity against Pf promotes phagocytosis of Pa and is protective against Pa
wound infections in humans. In Aim 1, I will use a mouse Pa wound infection model to evaluate the effect of
anti-Pf antibodies on phagocytosis, opsonization, and clearance of Pa. In Aim 2, I will determine the
effectiveness of anti-Pf antibodies against multiple clinical strains of Pa. In Aim 3, I will examine the presence
of anti-Pf phage antibodies in human patients with Pa wound infections.
I am currently a fellow in Dr. Paul Bollyky’s laboratory in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Stanford University.
Stanford University offers an exceptional scientific environment where I have all the resources that will be
essential to the success of this project. My long-term goal is to become an independent physician-scientist with
a research focus on development of vaccines and immune therapeutics to target resistant microorganisms.
To achieve this goal, I have developed a customized career development plan that incorporates both formal and
informal training. This training plan draws upon my existing expertise in immunology, and will enhance my
expertise in vaccine immunology, bacteriophage microbiology, and epidemiology. The planned didactics and
technical training included here will provide the foundation necessary to become a successful independent
researcher.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10126737
- **Project number:** 1K08AI151089-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** STANFORD UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Christiaan Robert de Vries
- **Activity code:** K08 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $161,792
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-02-01 → 2021-07-18

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10126737

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10126737, Immunization against Pf bacteriophage in Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection (1K08AI151089-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10126737. Licensed CC0.

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