# Mechanism of macrophages colonization in gonorrhea

> **NIH NIH R01** · LOUISIANA STATE UNIV HSC SHREVEPORT · 2024 · $365,000

## Abstract

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 cellular reservoir of bacteria during in vivo infections
has yet to be identified. Here we will uncover (1) the host receptors required for macrophages colonization by
Ng; (2) bacterial adhesins involved in macrophages colonization; and (3) the role of macrophages colonization
by Ng in the context of mucosal immunity in gonorrhea human samples.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10978405
- **Project number:** 1R01AI179608-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** LOUISIANA STATE UNIV HSC SHREVEPORT
- **Principal Investigator:** Ana-Maria Dragoi
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $365,000
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-05-16 → 2029-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10978405

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10978405, Mechanism of macrophages colonization in gonorrhea (1R01AI179608-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10978405. Licensed CC0.

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