Honors Theses

Advisor

Yvonne Sun

Department

Biology

Publication Date

5-1-2021

Document Type

Honors Thesis

Abstract

Listeria monocytogenes is an opportunistic and intracellular foodborne pathogen that can be deadly in high risk populations. During infection in the human body, L. monocytogenes may encounter macrophages, a type of white blood cell that is critical in innate immune response both by directly targeting invading pathogens and by eliciting adaptive immune responses. During intestinal as well as peripheral infections, both L. monocytogenes and macrophages may encounter propionate, a common gut microbiome metabolite. Although propionate is shown to have various regulatory and nutritional functions, its effects on infection outcome is not well understood. Therefore, the goal of this research is to determine how the exposure to propionate by L. monocytogenes and macrophages may affect subsequent infection outcomes. Specifically, the effects of propionate on phagocytic activity of macrophages will be quantified by measuring macrophage uptake of fluorescently labeled L. monocytogenes after exposure to different propionate concentrations. Additionally, the effects of propionate on the bactericidal activities inside macrophage phagosomes will be determined by quantifying the number of intracellular L. monocytogenes mutant deficient in listeriolysin O which remains inside phagosomes instead of escaping into the cytoplasm. The findings of this research will provide more information on how the immune r ate and offer a mechanistic insight into the vast role of the gut microbiome.

Permission Statement

This item is protected by copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code) and may only be used for noncommercial, educational, and scholarly purposes.

Keywords

Undergraduate research

Disciplines

Biology

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