Dr. Quincy Moore
Assistant Professor
Biology
qcmoore@pvamu.edu
Microscopic and Immunological Characterization of Bacterial Ocular Infections
Background and Objectives
Streptococcus pneumoniae is known for its role in causing bacterial pneumonia,
meningitis, and otitis media and is an important human pathogen associated with
morbidity and mortality (McDaniel and Swiatlo 2004). Studies have also shown that S.
pneumoniae is a major ocular pathogen that causes bacterial keratitis (Parmar et al.
2003). Studies have further demonstrated the role of pneumolysin, the cytolytic toxin of
S. pneumoniae, in ocular infections (Johnson et al. 1992). Interestingly, mouse models of
Staphylococcus aureus keratitis have been established and have proven useful for the
study of the host response to infection (Girgis et al., 2003; Hume et al., 2005; Sun et al.,
2006). However, mouse models of pneumococcal keratitis have not been previously
demonstrated. Our laboratory recently developed the mouse model of pneumococcal
keratitis which will allow the elucidation of the host factors directly involved in the host
response, especially with regard to innate immunity (Moore et al., 2009). The use of
Streptococcus pneumoniae as a model organism allows the examination of the
mechanisms of pathogenesis during ocular and systemic pneumococcal disease. The
study will examine host immune factors involved in bacterial ocular virulence. Utilizing
human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs), we will examine the role of various
pneumococcal proteins in pneumococcal keratitis and the differences as it relates to
pathogenesis. The study will examine microscopically the changes occurring on the
HCECs and examine binding and localization. The objectives of the study are to
identify mechanisms involved in bacterial and host factors that are elicited in
response to pneumococcal ocular infections, develop new therapies that specifically
target the host signaling cascades involved in pneumococcal Keratitis and potential
determine key events through microscopy that lead to a pronounced infection. The
study will also evaluate the use of pneumococcal proteins in hydrogels as therapy
and evaluation of biosensors for disease progression.
Summer Research Tasks
1. Utilize the advance microscopy to study morphological changes on the surface of
corneal epithelial of the HCEC
2. Utilize the microscope to observe the effects of morphological changes and the release
of fluorescence tagged proteins from the hydrogel.