NIH R01 · 2025
Mechanism of macrophages colonization in gonorrhea
ABSTRACT The work proposed in this study seeks to investigate the role of macrophages colonization by Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng) during infection and the impact on gonorrhea development. Because Ng is a highly human- adapted pathogen, it has developed numerous mechanisms to avoid and actively suppress innate and adaptive immune responses. We uncovered that Ng colonizes and establishes topologically distinct colonies in macrophages. During colonization, Ng manipulates the actin cytoskeleton to invade and create an intracellular niche supportive of bacterial replication. This new model of Ng persistence in macrophages is significant for gonorrhea symptomatology and outcome since the relevant…
From the public funding record at NIH RePORTER. Describes the funded project, not the reviews below.