Role of Neisseria gonorrhoeae secreted outer membrane vesicles in immune evasion

Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a bacterial pathogen that causes gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted infection. Infections can remain asymptomatic or lead to several inflammatory diseases. The thesis is focused on how our immune system senses and responds to pathogenic Neisseria. By using clinical isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the thesis identified extracellular vesicles released by the bacteria to affect the initial response of the immune system. These responses change depending on the bacterial strain used. This has improved our understanding how the immune system responds to pathogenic Neisseria and open up new avenues to dampen excessive inflammation.