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Mucus Is a Key Factor in Neisseria meningitidis Commensalism

Melanie M Callaghan1, Joseph P Dillard2

  • 1University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.

Msphere
|December 6, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Neisseria meningitidis is protected from drying by mucus in the human nasopharynx and does not invade cells. Interactions with Streptococcus mitis influence its growth and immune response.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions

Background:

  • Neisseria meningitidis is a common nasopharyngeal colonizer.
  • Understanding its interaction with the human nasopharynx is crucial for public health.
  • Previous models have limitations in replicating the in vivo environment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the interaction of Neisseria meningitidis with a human nasopharyngeal epithelial model.
  • To determine the role of mucus in N. meningitidis colonization.
  • To assess the impact of co-colonization with Streptococcus mitis.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized an air interface tissue culture model of a polarized, mucus-secreting epithelium.
  • Observed N. meningitidis behavior within the mucus layer and epithelial cells.
  • Evaluated immune response and bacterial growth in the presence of S. mitis.

Main Results:

  • Neisseria meningitidis primarily resides within the mucus layer, not invading epithelial cells.
  • Mucus protects N. meningitidis from desiccation.
  • N. meningitidis did not elicit a pro-inflammatory response and its growth was affected by S. mitis.

Conclusions:

  • Mucus plays a critical protective role for N. meningitidis in the nasopharynx.
  • N. meningitidis may act as a pathobiont, with its behavior modulated by other microbes.
  • This model provides new insights into bacterium-host interactions and infection dynamics.
Keywords:
Neisseria meningitidiscommensalmucus

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