{
  "abstract": "IntroductionSemen-derived enhancer of viral infection (SEVI) is an amyloid fibril formed from PAP248-286, a fragment of prostatic acid phosphatase naturally occuring in seminal plasma. Beyond its role in HIV transmission, SEVI may contribute to innate immunity. Since many amyloids display antimicrobial effects, we investigated its antibacterial activity against ESKAPE pathogens and urogenital bacteria.MethodsWe evaluated SEVI’s antibacterial activity in radial diffusion and survival assays against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella quasipneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Acinetobacter baumannii, Streptococcus agalactiae, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterococcus faecium. The role of fibril structure was examined using epigallocatechin gallate, while lipopolysaccharide and lipoteichoic acid induced fibril formation was evaluated kinetically. Mechanisms were investigated through electron microscopy, membrane-disruption assays, and analysis of intracellular polyphosphate granules.ResultsSEVI exhibited direct, dose-dependent antibacterial activity against most ESKAPE pathogens, at concentrations estimated to occur in seminal plasma. Lipopolysaccharides and lipoteichoic acid induced SEVI fibril formation, whereas epigallocatechin gallate abolished antibacterial activity, indicating that fibrils are required. Electron microscopy showed limited membrane disruption and intracellular polyphosphate granule accumulation in some P. aeruginosa cells, suggesting bacterial stress.DiscussionSEVI may have a physiological antimicrobial function in addition to its role in HIV transmission. Its activity against urogenital pathogens suggests a potential contribution to vaginal mucosal innate immunity. The dependence on fibril structure and induction by bacterial surface molecules imply that bacteria may promote formation of an antimicrobial SEVI conformation. Limited membrane damage and polyphosphate granule accumulation suggest that SEVI acts partly through intracellular stress responses rather than extensive membrane lysis. Further studies should clarify its molecular mechanism and in vivo relevance.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [],
  "article_type": "Original Research",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 18,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "Verena Vogel"
    },
    {
      "name": "Lia-Raluca Olari"
    },
    {
      "name": "Richard Bauer"
    },
    {
      "name": "Sandra Burczyk"
    },
    {
      "name": "Fiona Witz"
    },
    {
      "name": "Emely Walker"
    },
    {
      "name": "Nourice Jaber"
    },
    {
      "name": "Stefanie Mauerer"
    },
    {
      "name": "Ulrich Rupp"
    },
    {
      "name": "Ulrich Stifel"
    },
    {
      "name": "Annalena Kuhn"
    },
    {
      "name": "Julia Zinngrebe"
    },
    {
      "name": "Clarissa Read"
    },
    {
      "name": "Pamela Fischer-Posovszky"
    },
    {
      "name": "Thunchanok Thummaraj"
    },
    {
      "name": "Jasmina Gačanin"
    },
    {
      "name": "Jan Münch"
    },
    {
      "name": "Barbara Spellerberg"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/3p7nc48qvnxs4.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.3389/fimmu.2026.1906582",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "3p7nc48qvnxs4",
  "issns": [
    "1664-3224"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1906582",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "feed-journal",
      "biology/immunology"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": null,
  "pdf_url": null,
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-11-06",
  "publisher": "Frontiers Media SA",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/3p7nc48qvnxs4.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-06T06:20:04Z",
      "native_id": "10.3389/fimmu.2026.1906582",
      "source": "feed-frontiers",
      "url": "https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1906582"
    },
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-06T12:21:13Z",
      "native_id": "10.3389/fimmu.2026.1906582",
      "source": "crossref",
      "url": "https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1906582/full"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "feed-journal:biology/immunology",
      "subfield": "immunology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "SEVI fibrils are induced by bacterial surface molecules and exert antimicrobial activity against ESKAPE pathogens",
  "title_text": "SEVI fibrils are induced by bacterial surface molecules and exert antimicrobial activity against ESKAPE pathogens",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-08T00:22:43Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/3p7nc48qvnxs4",
  "venue": "Frontiers in Immunology",
  "versions": []
}