Abstract: The present invention provides a method of identifying agents that enhance innate immunity in a subject. The invention further provides a method of selectively supresses sepsis by suppressing expression of a proinflammatory gene while maintaining expression of an anti-inflammatory gene. Also provided are methods of identifying a polynucleotide or pattern of polynucleotides regulated by one or more sepsis or inflammatory inducing agents and inhibited by a peptide is described, methods of identifying a pattern of polynucleotide expression for inhibition of an inflammatory or septic response, and compounds and agents identified by the methods of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of identifying agents that enhance innate immunity in a subject. The invention further provides a method of selectively supressing sepsis by suppressing expression of a proinflammatory gene while maintaining expression of an anti-inflammatory gene. Also provided are methods of identifying a polynucleotide or pattern of polynucleotides regulated by one or more sepsis or inflammatory inducing agents and inhibited by a peptide is described, methods of identifying a pattern of polynucleotide expression for inhibition of an inflammatory or septic response, and compounds and agents identified by the methods of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polypeptide, called EspA, which is secreted by pathogenic E. coli, such as the enteropathogenic (SPEC) and enterohemorrhagic (EHEC) E. coli. The invention also provides isolated nucleic acid sequences encoding EspA polypeptide, EspA peptides, a recombinant method for producing recombinant EspA, antibodies which bind to EspA, and a kit for the detection of EspA-producing E. coli.