Abstract: The present invention provides a polypeptide, called EspA, which is secreted by pathogenic E. coli, such as the enteropathogenic (EPEC) 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.

Abstract: A method 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. A method of identifying a pattern of polynucleotide expression for inhibition of an inflammatory or septic response. The method includes contacting cells with LPS, LTA, CpG DNA and/or intact microbe or microbial components in the presence or absence of a cationic peptide; detecting a pattern of polynucleotide expression for the cells in the presence and absence of the peptide, wherein the pattern in the presence of the peptide represents inhibition of an inflammatory or septic response. Also included are compounds and agents identified by the methods of the invention. In another aspect, the invention provides methods and compounds for enhancing innate immunity in a subject.

Abstract: A method 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. A method of identifying a pattern of polynucleotide expression for inhibition of an inflammatory or septic response. The method includes contacting cells with LPS, LTA, CpG DNA and/or intact microbe or microbial components in the presence or absence of a cationic peptide; detecting a pattern of polynucleotide expression for the cells in the presence and absence of the peptide, wherein the pattern in the presence of the peptide represents inhibition of an inflammatory or septic response. Also included are compounds and agents identified by the methods of the invention. In another aspect, the invention provides methods and compounds for enhancing innate immunity in a subject.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for stimulating an immune response against a secreted enterohemorragic Escherichia coli (EHEC) antigen are disclosed. The compositions comprise EHEC cell culture supernatants.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polypeptide, called EspA, which is secreted by pathogenic E. coli, such as the enteropathogenic (EPEC) 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.

Abstract: The present invention provides the EspA polypeptide, which is secreted by pathogenic E coli, such as the enteropathogenic (EPEC) and enterohemorrhagic (EHEC) E coli. Diagnosis of disease caused by such pathogenic E coli can be performed by standard techniques, such as those based upon the use of antibodies which bind to EspA to detect the protein, as well as those based on the use of nucleic acid probes for detection of nucleic acids encoding EspA protein. The invention also provides isolated nucleic acid sequences encoding EspA, EspA polypeptide, EspA peptides, a method for producing recombinant EspA, antibodies which bind to EspA, and a kit for the detection of EspA-producing E coli. The invention also provides a method of immunizing a host with EspA to induce a protective immune response to EspA.