Project description:We aimed to delineate mechanisms of T. vaginalis resistance using transcriptome profiling of metronidazole (MTZ)-resistant and sensitive T. vaginalis clinical isolates.
Project description:In this study, we investigated genome-wide transcriptional and epigenetic responses of T. vaginalis to histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors.
Project description:Trichomonas vaginalis, a common sexually transmitted parasite that colonizes the human urogenital tract, secretes extracellular vesicles (TvEVs) that are taken up by human cells and are speculated to be taken up by parasites as well. While the crosstalk between TvEVs and human cells has led to insight into host:parasite interactions, the role of TvEVs in infection have largely been one-sided, with little known about the effect of TvEV uptake by T. vaginalis. Approximately 11% of infections are found to be co-infections of multiple T. vaginalis strains. Clinical isolates often differ in their adherence to and cytolysis of host cells, underscoring the importance of understanding the effects of TvEV uptake within the parasite population. To address this question our lab observed the effects of EV uptake by T. vaginalis on parasite gene expression. Using RNA-seq, we showed that TvEVs upregulate expression of predicted parasite membrane proteins and identified a novel adherence factor, heteropolysaccharide binding protein (HPB2).
Project description:Recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTI) are a costly clinical problem affecting millions of women worldwide each year. The majority of rUTI cases are caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC). Data from humans and mouse models indicate that some instances of rUTI are caused by UPEC emerging from latent reservoirs in the bladder. Some studies have reported that women with vaginal dysbiosis, typically characterized by high levels of Gardnerella vaginalis and other anaerobes, are at increased risk of UTI. Multiple studies have detected G. vaginalis in urine collected by transurethral catheterization (to limit vaginal contamination), suggesting that some women experience routine urinary tract exposures. We recently reported that inoculation of G. vaginalis into the bladder triggers rUTI from UPEC bladder reservoirs in a mouse model. Here we performed whole bladder RNAseq to identify host pathways involved in G. vaginalis-induced rUTI. We identified multiple host pathways differentially expressed following G. vaginalis exposure. At the gene and transcript level, we identified upregulation of the orphan nuclear receptor Nur77 (aka Nr4a1) and Nur77-regulated genes. Pilot data from Nur77 knockout mice suggests that Nur77 is necessary for G. vaganalis exposure to trigger rUTI.
