Why gonorrhea can live quietly in the female reproductive tract
Cellular mechanisms by which Neisseria gonorrhoeae infects the female reproductive tract
This work looks at how gonorrhea bacteria hide in the cervix of women so we can better detect and stop silent infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Maryland, College Park NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Park, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11325471 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers use human cervical tissue donated by women to recreate the cervix in the lab and observe how Neisseria gonorrhoeae interacts with cervical cells. The team focuses on local immune signals, including the anti-inflammatory molecule IL-10, that may allow the bacteria to colonize without causing symptoms. By modeling real infections with human tissue explants, they aim to identify the steps gonorrhea uses to avoid immune detection and move upward in the reproductive tract. Findings could point to targets for new tests or treatments to prevent complications like pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be women who can donate cervical tissue or cervical samples, for example during routine gynecologic procedures or surgery, or women recently exposed to gonorrhea willing to provide samples.
Not a fit: People without a cervix and those needing immediate clinical treatment for symptoms are unlikely to get direct benefit from this lab-based research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to detect or prevent hidden cervical gonorrhea infections and reduce complications in women.
How similar studies have performed: Other lab and tissue-explant studies have revealed immune interactions in cervical infections, but turning those findings into clinical tests or treatments remains largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
College Park, United States
- Univ of Maryland, College Park — College Park, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Song, Wenxia — Univ of Maryland, College Park
- Study coordinator: Song, Wenxia
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.