The genetic basis of meningococcal carriage
Research archive
- Imperial College Centre for Molecular Microbiology and Infection, London, UK
- Researchers:
Dr Chistoph Tang
- Project Number: 0017.0
- Category: Prevention
- Duration: 36 months
- Start Date: 01 January 2000
- Type: Scientific
The human nasopharynx is the primary site of residence of the important human pathogen, N. meningitidis. Studies on N. meningitidis colonisation of the human host have largely examined the interaction of the bacterium with isolated epithelial cells. As the epithelial cells are only one component of the nasopharyngeal mucosa, such studies only provide a limited understanding of the process of colonisation.
We intend to examine the genetic basis of N. meningitidis colonisation by combining state-of-the-art molecular genetics with biologically relevant assays. Signature tagged mutagenesis will be used to identify bacterial factors required for successful colonisation of the organ culture explant model, which reflects the complex environment of the human nasopharynx. Detailed characterisation of the colonisation-defective mutants should provide insights into the basis of carriage, and may suggest ways to interrupt this essential step in meningococcol pathogenesis.
Results from this study have been published in scientific journals as follows:
Tang CM, Stroud D, Mackinnon F, Makepeace K, Plested J, Moxon ER, Chalmers R.
Genetic linkage analysis to identify a gene required for the addition of phosphoethanolamine to meningococcal lipopolysaccharide.
Gene 2002 Feb 6;284(1-2):133-40.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=MImg&_imagekey=B6T39-44YWTH0-2-9&_cdi=4941&_user=10&_orig=search&_coverDate=02%2F06%2F2002&_qd=1&_sk=997159998&view=c&wchp=dGLbVlb-zSkzV&md5=b7362009ba30dd854f349f837547f6e6&ie=/sdarticle.pdf
Winzer K, Sun YH, Green A, Delory M, Blackley D, Hardie KR, Baldwin TJ, Tang CM.
Role of Neisseria meningitidis luxS in cell-to-cell signaling and bacteremic infection.
Infect Immun 2002 Apr;70(4):2245-8.
http://iai.asm.org/cgi/reprint/70/4/2245.pdf
Li Y, Sun YH, Ison C, Levine MM, Tang CM.
Vaccination with attenuated Neisseria meningitidis strains protects against challenge with live Meningococci.
Infect Immun 2004 Jan;72(1):345-51.
http://iai.asm.org/cgi/reprint/72/1/345.pdf
Corbett A, Exley R, Bourdoulous S, Tang CM,
Interactions between Neisseria meningitidis and human cells that promote colonisation and disease.
Expert Rev Mol Med 2004 Jul 9;6(14):1-14.
http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=232439
Vendeville A, Winzer K, Heurlier K, Tang CM, Hardie KR.
Making 'sense' of metabolism: autoinducer-2, LuxS and pathogenic bacteria.
Nat Rev Microbiol 2005 May;3(5):383-96. http://www.nature.com/nrmicro/journal/v3/n5/abs/nrmicro1146_fs.html;jsessionid=8A1C4C8EDD4EBE0D8DB376E5F92C8491
Exley RM, Goodwin L, Mowe E, Shaw J, Smith H, Read RC, Tang CM.
Neisseria meningitidis lactate permease is required for nasopharyngeal colonization.
Infect Immun 2005 Sep;73(9):5762-6.
http://iai.asm.org/cgi/reprint/73/9/5762.pdf
Greiner O, Berger C, Day PJ, Meier G, Tang CM, Nadal D,
Rates of detection of Neisseria meningitidis in tonsils differ in relation to local incidence of invasive disease.
J Clin Microbiol 2002 Nov;40(11):3917-21.
http://jcm.asm.org/cgi/reprint/40/11/3917