Date of Award
2023
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Biological and Environmental Sciences
Specialization
Cell & Molecular Biology
Department
Cell & Molecular Biology
First Advisor
Matthew M. Ramsey
Abstract
Haemophilus parainfluenzae (Hp), a Gram-negative bacterium is found in different niches of the mouth, and it is very abundant in the supragingival plaque. While considered a commensal in the mouth, Hp is also a HACEK microorganism associated with endocarditis and considered an opportunistic pathogenic species. However, Hp remains a subject of limited investigation. Specifically, the genes necessary for Hp's survival and those that are conditionally essential for thriving under various environmental conditions are yet to be identified. This research addresses those questions using transposon sequencing (TnSeq) to identify the essential genome and the core essential genome in two strains of Hp (a type strain and an oral isolate). It shows that the core essential genome (essential genes conserved in others Hp strains) is composed by genes involved in genetic information processing, carbohydrate, protein, and energy metabolism. This study also uncovers aerobic and anaerobic conditionally essential genes showing that many genes essential anaerobically are also essential for aerobic biofilm growth. Analysis of transcriptomes further revealed Hp's ability to adapt to varying oxygen levels.
This study also investigates which genes and mechanisms Hp uses to evade the innate immune system allowing its survival in the bloodstream when transitioning from the mouth to other parts of the body where it can then cause diseases. Results confirm that Hp is very resistant to the killing effect of human serum and show that LPS and O-antigen aids Hp in evading the complement system and surviving in human serum. It was also observed that Hp can evade phagocytosis and stimulates the production of critical cytokines, leading to neutrophil-driven NET production. Finally, in coculture, Hp imparts opsonophagocytosis resistance to Streptococcus mitis, which is found close to Hp in the mouth. Collectively, these results indicate that Hp is resistant both to phagocytosis and the complement system and can seemingly provide or induce immune resistance in its close neighbor S. mitis.
Recommended Citation
Harder de Palma, Thaís, "DEFINING THE ESSENTIAL GENOME OF HAEMOPHILUS PARAINFLUENZAE AND CONDITIONALLY ESSENTIAL GENES REQUIRED FOR ITS SURVIVAL IN BIOFILMS AND SERUM COMPLEMENT" (2023). Open Access Dissertations. Paper 1593.
https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/oa_diss/1593
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