Identifying the effects of anaerobic exposure on Listeria monocytogenes infection of the central nervous system

Title

Identifying the effects of anaerobic exposure on Listeria monocytogenes infection of the central nervous system

Authors

Presenter(s)

Rebecca Marie Rudd

Comments

Presentation: 11:40 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Kennedy Union 311

Files

Description

The foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes is capable of crossing the gastrointestinal epithelium and invading macrophages and non-phagocytic cells. As an intracellular pathogen, L. monocytogenes replicates inside the host cell cytosol to be transported throughout the bloodstream and avoid any extracellular immune defenses. In this mechanism, the bacteria can reach and cross the blood brain barrier, resulting in bacterial meningitis that can be severe in immunocompromised patients. In this project, the goal of the research is to determine how anaerobic exposure, a typical process during the intestinal phase of infection, affects L. monocytogenes invasion of the central nervous system. Neuro-2A cells, acting as the model host cell for neuronal cells, are grown and infected with L. monocytogenes pre-exposed to anaerobic or aerobic conditions for different lengths of time. The 10403s strain, a neurotropic strain, and a cardiotropic strain are used to identify strain-dependent variations. Intracellular growth is measured to determine whether bacteria anaerobic adaptations alter the infection outcome. From these results, we will identify intestinal conditions that can potentially influence L. monocytogenes neural invasion to better understand this particular pathogenic process.

Publication Date

4-20-2022

Project Designation

Independent Research

Primary Advisor

Yvonne Y. Sun

Primary Advisor's Department

Biology

Keywords

Stander Symposium project, College of Arts and Sciences

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

Good Health and Well-Being

Identifying the effects of anaerobic exposure on Listeria monocytogenes infection of the central nervous system

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