Tissue Models for Neisseria gonorrhoeae Research-From 2D to 3D.

Motaharehsadat Heydarian,Eva Rühl,Vera Kozjak-Pavlovic,Ravisha Rawal

doi:10.3389/fcimb.2022.840122

Motaharehsadat Heydarian, Eva Rühl + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2022.840122

Copy DOI

Abstract

Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a human-specific pathogen that causes gonorrhea, the second most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide. Disease progression, drug discovery, and basic host-pathogen interactions are studied using different approaches, which rely on models ranging from 2D cell culture to complex 3D tissues and animals. In this review, we discuss the models used in N. gonorrhoeae research. We address both in vivo (animal) and in vitro cell culture models, discussing the pros and cons of each and outlining the recent advancements in the field of three-dimensional tissue models. From simple 2D monoculture to complex advanced 3D tissue models, we provide an overview of the relevant methodology and its application. Finally, we discuss future directions in the exciting field of 3D tissue models and how they can be applied for studying the interaction of N. gonorrhoeae with host cells under conditions closely resembling those found at the native sites of infection.

Highlights

The sexually transmitted disease (STD) gonorrhea caused by N. gonorrhoeae is the second most common STD which causes around 86.9 million new infections annually around the world, as estimated for 2016 (Rowley et al, 2019)
The present review focuses on the established in vivo and in vitro tissue models used in investigations of the infection caused by gonococci
We discuss the main challenges and obstacles, followed by future perspectives in the field of models used for studying gonococcal infection

Summary

INTRODUCTION

The sexually transmitted disease (STD) gonorrhea caused by N. gonorrhoeae is the second most common STD which causes around 86.9 million new infections annually around the world, as estimated for 2016 (Rowley et al, 2019). The infection is performed by intravaginal inoculation (Johnson et al, 1989; Taylor-Robinson et al, 1990; Jerse, 1999), or, for the modeling of the upper reproductive tract infection, by transcervical inoculation (Corbeil et al, 1978; Connolly et al, 2021) These mouse models have contributed to the better understanding of the immune response to gonococci (Song et al, 2008; Feinen et al, 2010), and the role of the MtrC–MtrD–MtrE efflux pump system in infection (Jerse et al, 2003; Warner et al, 2007) to name the few examples. The vaginal flora in mice and humans are dissimilar (Noguchi et al, 2003) Another reason that the mouse model fails to appropriately represent human physiology is the lack of certain host-specific receptors, which are the binding target of different virulence factors of N. gonorrhoeae (Jerse et al, 2011; Quillin and Seifert, 2018)

Key findings

Key Findings