Development of a tetracycline-inducible gene expression system for the study of Campylobacter jejuni pathogenesis

AcuteC. jejuniillness, which is characterized by the presence of blood and leukocytes in stool samples, is associated withC. jejuniinvasion and replication within intestinal epithelial cells. Colonic biopsy specimens from C. jejuni-infected humans and C. jejuni-infected animals have revealed invasion and intracellular C. jejuni. Compared to other gastrointestinal bacterial pathogens, little is known about C. jejuni intracellular replication. Specifically, it is not known how C. jejuni modifies normal cellular trafficking to support intracellular replication. The goal of this proposal is to determine if secreted bacterial proteins contribute to C. jejuni replication in a host.