Tissue Models for Neisseria gonorrhoeae Research—From 2D to 3D

Abstract

Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a human-specific pathogen that causes gonorrhea, the second most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide. Disease progression, drug discovery, and basic host-pathogen interactions are studied using different approaches, which rely on models ranging from 2D cell culture to complex 3D tissues and animals. In this review, we discuss the models used in N. gonorrhoeae research. We address both in vivo (animal) and in vitro cell culture models, discussing the pros and cons of each and outlining the recent advancements in the field of three-dimensional tissue models. From simple 2D monoculture to complex advanced 3D tissue models, we provide an overview of the relevant methodology and its application. Finally, we discuss future directions in the exciting field of 3D tissue models and how they can be applied for studying the interaction of N. gonorrhoeae with host cells under conditions closely resembling those found at the native sites of infection.

Vertebrate and Invertebrate Animal and New In Vitro Models for Studying Neisseria Biology

“…Over the past fifty years, most research studying Neisseria colonization and invasion has been carried out using simple monolayer cultures of primary cells and immortalized cells and using explants of primary tissues. These are reviewed extensively by Heydarian et al [ 305 ], and not all of these cell lines have come from relevant tissue; this raises questions about the validity of extrapolating from in vitro data to in vivo biology. The numbers of papers using cell culture models to study Neisseria –host cell interactions are too numerous to detail.…”