# Contribution of macrophages to Neisseria gonorrhoeae pathogenesis

> **NIH NIH P20** · LOUISIANA STATE UNIV HSC SHREVEPORT · 2022 · $253,176

## Abstract

Project 2 - ABSTRACT
 The work proposed in this study seeks to investigate the role of macrophages colonization by Neisseria
gonorrhoeae (N.g) during infection and the impact on gonorrhea development. Because N.g is a highly human
adapted pathogen, it has developed numerous mechanisms to avoid and actively suppress innate and adaptive
immune responses. Macrophages are present in significant numbers throughout the genitourinary mucosae and
represent about 10% of total number of leukocytes recovered from these tissues. Thus, it’s likely that N.g
encounters these cells during infection and that macrophages play an important role in N.g pathogenesis. We
uncovered that N.g colonizes and establishes topologically distinct colonies in macrophages. During colonization
N.g manipulates the actin cytoskeleton to create an intracellular niche supportive of bacterial replication. This
new model of N.g persistence in macrophages is significant for gonorrhea symptomatology and outcome, since
the relevant cellular reservoir of bacteria during in vivo infections has yet to be identified. Therefore, we
hypothesize that N.g colonizes and alters the macrophages immune response in order to establish persistent
growth within its host. In the first aim of this proposal we will investigate the transcriptional changes that occur in
the infected cell and the bacterium during N.g colonization of macrophages. In the second aim we will assess
the presence and the function of macrophages in a mouse model of N.g infection.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10360463
- **Project number:** 5P20GM134974-02
- **Recipient organization:** LOUISIANA STATE UNIV HSC SHREVEPORT
- **Principal Investigator:** Ana-Maria Dragoi
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $253,176
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-03-01 → 2026-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10360463

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10360463, Contribution of macrophages to Neisseria gonorrhoeae pathogenesis (5P20GM134974-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10360463. Licensed CC0.

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