It has become increasingly clear that the earliest phases of Mycobacterial infection, involving the innate immune response, set the stage for future progression or resolution of disease. The embryonic zebrafish provides a unique system in which to study innate immunity, as the cellular components of the immune system have yet to develop. Additionally, the optical transparency of the embryo allows for direct in vivo observation of pathogenesis. My project will take two approaches to further refine our understanding of innate pathogenesis of mycobacterial infection. A candidate gene approach will be used to investigate the role of Interferon Gamma (IFNg) in our system, an immune cytokine known to be important to the adaptive immune response to tuberculosis.
The second aim will be directed towards the identification of novel host genes important to the innate response to tuberculosis. This project will utilize a forward genetic screen previously conducted by our group, identification of mutant fish differentially susceptible to infection, and mapping of the causative lesion to a specific locus using next-generation DNA sequencing technology.

Public Health Relevance

Much more has to be learned before tuberculosis can be adequately controlled. The early interactions of tuberculosis infection with the innate immune system strongly influence later outcomes. This study will better our understanding of an immune signal, Interferon gamma, and seeks to discover new genes that affect the host's ability to resist infection.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Individual Predoctoral NRSA for M.D./Ph.D. Fellowships (ADAMHA) (F30)
Project #
1F30HL110455-01A1
Application #
8310590
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-F13-C (20))
Program Officer
Colombini-Hatch, Sandra
Project Start
2012-05-01
Project End
2016-04-30
Budget Start
2012-05-01
Budget End
2013-04-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$35,234
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Washington
Department
Microbiology/Immun/Virology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
605799469
City
Seattle
State
WA
Country
United States
Zip Code
98195
Levitte, Steven; Adams, Kristin N; Berg, Russell D et al. (2016) Mycobacterial Acid Tolerance Enables Phagolysosomal Survival and Establishment of Tuberculous Infection In Vivo. Cell Host Microbe 20:250-8
Berg, Russell D; Levitte, Steven; O'Sullivan, Mary P et al. (2016) Lysosomal Disorders Drive Susceptibility to Tuberculosis by Compromising Macrophage Migration. Cell 165:139-152
Berg, Russell D; Ramakrishnan, Lalita (2012) Insights into tuberculosis from the zebrafish model. Trends Mol Med 18:689-90