Growth of Yersinia enterocolitica and interaction with mammalian cells in three-dimensional (3D) extracellular matrix

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The pathogenicity of Yersinia enterocolitica is controlled by the virulence plasmid pYV and several chromosomally located determinants which provide this pathogen with the armament to resist phagocytosis and to multiply extracellularly in host tissue. To study the dynamics of the infection process under in vivo-like conditions, we established the 3D-Collagen Gel (3DCoG) infection model. This proposal comprises two major aims: (i) molecular characterization of the life style of yersiniae in 3D-CoG including interbacterial interaction (e.g. cluster and capsule formation and dispersal) and interaction with ECM and (ii) analysis of the interaction of yersiniae with phagocytic cells by focusing on cell migration, adherence, phagocytosis, oxidative burst, release of proteases and cell death due to type 3-secretion system (T3SS) mediated translocation of Yersinia anti-host effector proteins (Yops). These goals will be accomplished by using selected yersinae mutants and diverse T3SS-injected reporter proteins and by functional analysis of Yersinia-contacted host cells.