Characterization of "serosal bridges": routes for antigen and pathogen transport from the female reproductive tract to the intestines.

项目总结/摘要 在这项应用中，研究人员提出：1）表征“Serbian桥”（SB），这是一种以前未知的 促进抗原和细胞在雌性生殖道（FRT）和生殖道之间转运的内部途径。 胃肠道（GI）; 2）评估SB和细胞迁移对衣原体转运的重要性 spp.从FRT到胃肠道。研究小组表明，用卵清蛋白结合的20 纳米颗粒（NPs）诱导血清IgG并引发肠粘膜分泌伊加。令人惊讶的是， 发现阴道滴注的可溶性抗原和NP被“递送”到下胃， 十二指肠。此外，阴道滴注衣原体属。基本体（300-450 nm）到达SB， 肠浆膜内1-3小时。在人类和动物中，衣原体属。从FRT传播并持续 在胃肠道，它是耐阿奇霉素治疗。在小鼠中，衣原体在体内传播 然而，它如何从FRT转移到胃肠道仍然是未知的。完成拟议工作将 对于了解衣原体从FRT到胃肠道的传播以及发展 针对这种病原体的疫苗接种策略。

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT In this application the researchers propose to 1) characterize “serosal bridges” (SBs), a previously unknown internal route that facilitates antigen and cell transport between the female reproductive tract (FRT) and the gastro-intestinal (GI) tract; and 2) assess the essentiality of SBs and cell migration for transport of Chlamydia spp. from the FRT to the GI tract. The team showed that vaginal immunization with ovalbumin-conjugated 20 nm nanoparticles (NPs) induces serum IgG and primes the intestinal mucosa for secretion of IgA. Surprisingly, it was found that vaginally-instilled soluble antigens and NPs are “delivered” to the lower stomach and duodenum. Moreover, vaginally-instilled Chlamydia spp. elementary bodies (300-450 nm) reach SBs and intestinal serosa within 1-3 hours. In humans and animals Chlamydia spp. spreads from the FRT and persists in the GI tract, where it is resistant to azithromycin treatment. In mice, Chlamydia disseminates internally however, how it transits from the FRT to the GI tract remains unknown. Completion of the proposed work will be critical for understanding dissemination of Chlamydia from the FRT to the GI tract, as well as for developing vaccination strategies to target this pathogen.