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

项目摘要/摘要 在这项应用中，研究人员提议1)描述一种以前未知的“浆膜桥”(SBS) 促进抗原和细胞在女性生殖道(FRT)和 胃肠道(GI)；和2)评估SBS和细胞迁移对衣原体运输的重要性 SPP.从FRT到胃肠道。研究小组发现，用卵清蛋白偶联的20%的人进行阴道免疫 纳米粒(NPs)可诱导血清中的免疫球蛋白G，并启动肠粘膜中IgA的分泌。令人惊讶的是， 研究发现，经阴道注入的可溶性抗原和NPs被“输送”到下胃和 十二指肠。此外，经阴道注入衣原体。基本体(300-450 nm)达到SBS和 肠道浆膜在1-3小时内。在人和动物中，衣原体属。从FRT传播并持续 在胃肠道，在那里它对阿奇霉素治疗耐药。在小鼠体内，衣原体在体内传播 然而，它是如何从FRT转运到胃肠道的，目前尚不清楚。拟议工作完成后， 对了解衣原体从FRT向胃肠道的传播以及发展至关重要 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.