Extracellular fibrinogen-binding protein (Efb), a key immune evasion protein of Staphylococcus aureus and a potential therapeutic target.

Marco Palma

Due to the continued growth of antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains, it is necessary to explore alternative targets for future therapeutic applications. For this reason, is important to understand the staphylococcal immune evasion mechanisms with a special focus on extracellular fibrinogen-binding protein (Efb) and Efb related proteins. Therefore, it was conducted a literature review to compile relevant information on this protein. It was found that Efb has three binding sites with biological relevance that could be used as therapeutic targets with specificity for fibrinogen, platelets, and complements. First, the fibrinogen-binding motifs also found in coagulase block neutrophil αMβ2 adherence to fibrinogen and attract fibrinogen to the bacterial surface, forming capsule-like structures that block phagocytosis…

Gene expression in Staphylococcus aureus skin infection

Marco Palma

To find new strategies, it is important to understand the mechanisms that Staphylococcus aureus uses to adapt to its host and how the host responds to the presence of staphylococcal cells. We have reviewed two studies of gene expression in Staphylococcus aureus during skin infections, one study using a rabbit skin infection model and ….

Phage display strategy against outbreaks of unknown pathogens: learning from the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Marco Palma

The experience with SARS-CoV-2 that spread rapidly throughout the world makes us realize we need protocols to act quickly against emerging pathogens. The immune system of recovering patients provided protection against any pathogen by producing antibodies against immunogenic epitopes…