Degree Name
MS (Master of Science)
Program
Biology
Date of Award
12-2018
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Robert Schoborg
Committee Members
Jennifer Hall, Jonathan Peterson
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatiscauses a bacterial sexually transmitted infection, Chlamydia, that is often chronic and casues reproductive complications in women. We hypothesized that Chlamydia infection increases local acetylcholine (ACh) production, which regulates the host’s inflammatory response to the infection. Female mice infected with C. muridarumwere sacrificed at days 3, 9, 15, and 21 post-infection, genital tract tissues harvested, and immunohistochemistry performed to enumerate ACh-producing cells. Infection increased the number of ACh-producing cells in cervical tissue at days 3,15, and 21 post-infection (pi), uterine tissue at day 3 and 9 pi, and ovarian tissue day 3, 15, and 21 pi. These findings suggest that C. trachomatis increases ACh production, which may suppress the host’s immunity and aid in establishing chronic infection.
Document Type
Thesis - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Lockhart, Jessica R., "The Role of Non-Neuronal Acetylcholine in Urogenital Chlamydial Infection" (2018). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 3522. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/3522
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.
Included in
Bacteria Commons, Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications Commons, Microbiology Commons, Obstetrics and Gynecology Commons, Reproductive and Urinary Physiology Commons, Women's Health Commons