# Modeling Shigella Interaction with Innate Cells in Enteroid Co-Cultures to Inform Vaccine Development

> **NIH NIH P01** · UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE · 2021 · $377,115

## Abstract

Project 2: Modeling Shigella Interaction with Innate Cells in Enteroid Co-Cultures to Inform Vaccine
Development
Shigella is responsible for a significant burden of disease in multiple populations within the US and worldwide
causing an estimated 163 million cases and >74,000 deaths per year. The greatest impact is in children
under 5 years of age in developing countries where Shigella was identified as the most important pathogen
causing diarrhea in 12-59 month old children. The widespread isolation of multiple drug resistant isolates
limiting therapeutic interventions and the continued high levels of endemic disease underscore the
significance of Shigella as a global health priority and reinforce the need for preventative interventions and
vaccine development. Infection with Shigella results in diarrhea and dysentery following transcytosis of the
epithelial barrier, invasion of gastrointestinal cells, intracellular replication and induction of a severe
inflammatory response. Interaction with host innate immune cells including macrophages (MΦ), dendritic
cells (DCs) and intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) are critical events in progression of disease symptoms as
well as in initiation of a protective immune response. The human enteroid model provides a highly human
relevant multicellular system that recapitulates important aspects of gastrointestinal physiology. Advances
during the first P01 funding cycle included the addition of M cells and immune cell co-culture in enteroids.
This complex model provides a system in which critical features of Shigella uptake, transcytosis, and
engagement with immune cells can be identified which may serve as targets for interventional strategies.
Using a series of isogenic Shigella strains with mutations in key virulence factors, we aim to define bacterial
requirements for each stage of host engagement. Furthermore, the evaluation of a series of live attenuated
vaccine strains that have been studied clinically will serve as tools to further understand bacterial
requirements for the pathogenic process and allow determination of the utility of this model to distinguish
promising vaccine candidates. Building on our current capability of M cell incorporation, we will use the M
cell enteroid model to characterize sequential stages of Shigella-host interactions including the process of
uptake and transcytosis, and subsequent interaction with critical innate immune cells. These studies will
reveal novel aspects of host-pathogen interactions and ensuing innate immune responses to this pathogen
that better reflect what occurs in humans; new insights will be provided that will guide intervention strategies.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10190303
- **Project number:** 2P01AI125181-06
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE
- **Principal Investigator:** Eileen M. Barry
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $377,115
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2016-07-01 → 2026-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10190303

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10190303, Modeling Shigella Interaction with Innate Cells in Enteroid Co-Cultures to Inform Vaccine Development (2P01AI125181-06). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10190303. Licensed CC0.

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