Jennifer L. Edwards, Ph.D.

Jennifer L. Edwards, Ph.D., is a Principal Investigator in the Center for Microbial Pathogenesis at the Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital. She is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. Dr. Edwards's NIH-funded research program focuses on the interaction of bacterial pathogens with host mucosal surfaces, with a specific interest in the molecular mechanisms contributing to asymptomatic disease and infectious disease disparity.

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Gender:

• Female

Languages Spoken:

• English

Research Center:

• Center for Microbial Pathogenesis

Areas of Interest:

• Children and young adults suffer a disproportionate burden of health complications associated with Neisseria spp. infection. There is no vaccine available to prevent Neisseria gonorrhoeae (the gonococcus) infection. Whereas, current vaccines do protect against some Neisseria meningitidis (the meningococcus) serotypes, no vaccine is available for serogroup B strains, which cause a significant proportion of disease in western countries. Although the gonococcus and the meningococcus share very high (=97%) genomic sequence identity, the diseases caused by these two organisms are markedly different. Diseases associated with these bacteria continue to be national and international public health problems. In the United States, N. gonorrhoeae infections remain prevalent (second only to Chlamydia in terms of reportable infections) with associated health costs exceeding one billion dollars each year. N. meningitidis exists as a transient, commensal bacterium in up to 20% of the general population. However, for reasons that have remained undefined, a small proportion of these individuals (primarily infants and youths) will develop invasive, often life-threatening, illness. The presence of N. gonorrhoeae within the male urogenital tract or the female upper reproductive tract typically results in an acute inflammatory response. However, by analogy to meningococcal carriage; asymptomatic cervical (lower reproductive tract) disease occurs in the majority of women with gonococcal infection, and it is the primary factor attributed to the chronic complications of disease (e.g. pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and adverse pregnancy outcomes) observed predominately among women. Additionally, as humans serve as the only reservoir for N. gonorrhoeae and N. meningitidis infections, the asymptomatic nature of transient meningococcal and of chronic cervical carriage contributes substantively to the continued prevalence of these organisms within the population.

  The focus of the Edwards laboratory is to elucidate the molecular/cellular mechanisms of neisserial pathogenesis, inclusive of those molecules contributing to colonization and disease progression. We are particularly interested in defining those host and bacterial factors that promote asymptomatic carriage/disease. In that N. gonorrhoeae and N. meningitidis infections are limited to humans, we strive to mirror physiological conditions in our experiments in which we routinely use primary human cells and clinically isolated bacteria. These investigative conditions most closely mimic the in vivo human environment and ensure that data generated are relevant to those host processes trigger during human disease. Although many of our queries are rooted in cellular microbiology, we use a wide variety of approaches to explore the numerous questions yet to be answered. By further elucidating at the molecular and cellular level the (host and bacterial) factors and responses that contribute to colonization and disease progression, it may be possible to identify new strategies for the detection (biomarkers and diagnostics), the intervention (new therapeutic agents), and the prevention (vaccine development) of infection that, in turn, will translate better disease management and, ultimately, in improved women’s and children’s health. Current areas of interest include the following:

  *How do cyclic levels of steroid hormones and of oxygen availability influence gonococcal infection of the lower female genital tract

  *What are the mechanisms used by the pathogenic Neisseria to avoid killing by innate immune effectors during mucosal infection

  *Further definition of the mechanism(s) by which meningococci associate with and invade the airway epithelium

  *Mechanism by which gonococci associate with fetal and maternal membranes during pregnancy & how this relates to infection-induced adverse pregnancy outcomes

  *What are the host and bacterial factors that contribute to ascending infection of the female reproductive tract

Post Doctoral

• The University of Iowa
  Date Completed: 06/30/2002

Fellowship

• University of Iowa
  Date Completed: 06/30/2004

2010–present

• Associate Professor of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University

2004–2010

• Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University

• Jennings, M.P., F. Jen, L. Roddam, M. A. Apicella, and J. L. Edwards. 2011. Pilin glycosylation modulates CR3- mediated Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection of primary, human, cervical epithelial cells.  Cell. Microbiol.. no. 13. : 885-896. (IF: 5.625)
• Butler, E. K. and J. L. Edwards. 2011. The pathobiology of Neisseria gonorrhoeae lower female genital tract infection.  Front in Cell Infect Microbiol.. no. Doi:10.3389/fmicb.2011.00102.
• Kidd, S. P., J. A. Franiek¬, A. J. Potter¬, K. Y. Djoko¬, J. L. Edwards, M. L. Falsetta, N. H. Chen¬, M. A. Apicella, M. P. Jennings, and A. G. McEwan. 2011. The copA gene of Neisseria gonorrhoeae is required for copper tolerance and survival of the gonococcus within cervical epithelial cells.  Infect Immun. no. doi:10.1128/IAI.06163-11. (IF: 4.098)
• Wu HJ; Seib KL; Srikhanta YN; Edwards J; Kidd SP; Maguire TL; Hamilton A; Pan KT; Hsiao HH; Yao CW; Grimmond SM; Apicella MA; McEwan AG; Wang AH; Jennings MP. 2010. Manganese regulation of virulence factors and oxidative stress resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae.  Journal Of Proteomics. Vol. 73, no. 5. (March 10): 899.
• Edwards JL. 2010. Neisseria gonorrhoeae survival during primary human cervical epithelial cell infection requires nitric oxide and is augmented by progesterone.  Infection And Immunity. Vol. 78, no. 3. (March 1): 1202.
• Achard, M.E., A. J. Hamilton, T. Dankowski, B. Heras, M. S. Schembri, J. L. Edwards, M. P. Jennings, and A. G. McEwan. 2009. A periplasmic thioredoxin-like protein plays a role in defense against oxidative stress in Neisseria gonorrhoeae.  Infect. Immun.. Vol. 77. (November): 4934-4939. (IF: 3.987)
• Potter AJ, Kidd SP, Edwards JL, Falsetta ML, Apicella MA, Jennings MP, McEwan AG. 2009. Thioredoxin Reductase Is Essential for Protection of Neisseria gonorrhoeaeagainst Killing by Nitric Oxide and for Bacterial Growth during Interaction with Cervical Epithelial Cells.  J Infect Dis. Vol. 199. (January 15): 227-235. (IF: 6.035)
• Potter, A. J., S. P. Kidd, J. L. Edwards, M. Falsetta, M. A. Apicella, M. P. Jennings and A. G. McEwan. 2009. Esterase D is essential for protection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae against nitrosative stress and for bacterial growth during interaction with cervical epithelial cells.  J. Infect. Dis.. no. 200. : 273-278. (IF: 6.035)
• Edwards, J. L. Neisseria gonorrhoeae Survival during Primary, Human, Cervical Epithelial Cell Infection Requires Nitric Oxide and is Augmented by Progesterone.  Infect. Immun., no. doi:10.1128/IAI.01085-09. (IF: 3.987) (In press)
• Srikhanta,Y.N., S.J. Dowideit, J.L. Edwards, M.L. Falsetta, O.B. Harrison, K.L. Fox, K.L. Seib, T.L. Maguire, M.C. Maiden, S.M. Grimmond, M.A. Apicella, and M.P. Jennings. 2009. Phasevarions mediate random switching of gene expression in pathogenic Neisseria.  PLOS Pathogens MS#08-PLPA-RA-1188.. Vol. 5, no. 4. : e1000400; doi:10.1371/journal.ppat.1000400. (IF: 9.336)
• Wu, H.-J., K. L. Seib, Y. N. Srikhanta, J. L. Edwards, S. P. Kidd, T. L. Maguire, A. Hamilton, K.-T. Pan, H.-H. Hsiao, C.-W. Yao, S. M. Grimmond, M. A. Apicella, A. G. McEwan, A. H-J. Wang, and M. P. Jennings. 2009. Manganese regulation of virulence factors and oxidative stress resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae.  J. Proteomics. no. doi:10.1016/j.jprot.2009.12.001. (IF: 5.074) (Formally Accepted)
• Edwards, JL. 2008. The role of complement in gonococcal infection of cervical epithelia.  Vaccine. Vol. S. (December): 156-161. (IF: 3.377)
• Lim KH, Jones CE, vanden Hoven RN, Edwards JL, Falsetta ML, Apicella MA,Jennings MP, McEwan AG. 2008. Metal binding specificity of the MntABC permease of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and its influence on bacterial growth and interaction with cervical epithelial cells.  Infect Immun. Vol. 76, no. 8. (August): 3569-3576. (IF: 3.996)
• Seib, K. L., H.-J.Wu, Y. Srikhanta, J. L. Edwards, M. L. Falsetta, A. J. Hamilton, T. L. Maguire, S. M. Grimmond, M. A. Apicella, A. G. McEwan, and M. P. Jennings. 2007. Characterization of the OxyR regulon of N. gonorrhoeae.  Mol. Microbiol.. Vol. 63. : 54-68. (IF: 5.462)
• Edwards JL. 2007. Gender Differences in Neisseria Gonorrhoeae Pathogenesis. In Virulence Mechanisms of Bacterial Pathogens, 4th Ed.. Edited by Brogden K. Washington DC: American Society for Microbiology Press.
• Wu, H.-J. , K. L. Seib, Y. N. Srikhanta, S. P. Kidd, J. L. Edwards, T. L. Maguire, S. M. Grimmond, M. A. Apicella, A. G. McEwan, and M. P. Jennings. 2006. The PerR regulon controls Mn-dependent resistance to oxidative stress in Neisseria gonorrhoeae.  Mol. Microbiol.. Vol. 60. : 401-416. (IF: 5.634)
• Edwards, J. L. and M. A. Apicella. 2006. Neisseria gonorrhoeae PLD directly interacts with Akt kinase upon infection of primary, human, cervical epithelial cells.  Cell. Microbiol.. Vol. 8. : 1253-1271. (IF: 5.37)
• Edwards, J. L. and M. A. Apicella. 2005. I-domain-containing integrins serve as pilus receptors for Neisseria gonorrhoeae adherence to human epithelial cells.  Cell. Microbiol.. Vol. 7. : 1197-1211. (IF: 6.333)
• L. L. Greiner, J. L. Edwards, C. A. Rabinak, J. Q. Shao, and M. A. Apicella. 2005. Biofilm formation by Neisseria gonorrhoeae.  Infect. Immun.. Vol. 73. : 1964-1970. (IF: 3.933)
• Wu, H.-J. , K. L. Seib, J. L. Edwards, M. A. Apicella, A. G. McEwan, and M. P. Jennings. 2005. Azurin of pathogenic Neisseria is involved in defense against hydrogen peroxide and survival within cervical epithelial cells.  Infect. Immun.. Vol. 73. : 8444-8448. (IF: 3.933)
• Edwards, J. L., H. A. Harvey, and M. A. Apicella. 2004. Neisseria gonorrhoeae: The varying mechanism of pathogenesis in males and females. In Bacterial Invasion of Host Cells. Edited by Richard Lamont. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. 203-238.
• Edwards, J. L. and M. A. Apicella. 2004. Neisseria gonorrhoeae: The molecular mechanisms that initiate infection differ between men and women.  Clin. Microbiol. Rev.. Vol. 17. : 965-981. (IF: 10.671)
• Edwards, J. L., D. D. Entz, and M. A. Apicella. 2003. Gonococcal phospholipase D modulates the expression and function of complement receptor 3 in primary cervical epithelial cells.  Infect. Immun.. Vol. 71. : 6381-6391. (IF: 3.875)
• Edwards, J. L., E. J. Brown, S. Uk-Nham, J. G. Cannon, M. S. Blake, and M. A. Apicella. 2002. A co-operative interaction between Neisseria gonorrhoeae and complement receptor 3 mediates infection of primary cervical epithelial cells.  Cell. Microbiol.. Vol. 4. : 571-584. (IF: 4.895)
• Edwards, J. L. and M. A. Apicella. 2002. The role of lipooligosaccharide in Neisseria gonorrhoeae pathogenesis of cervical epithelia: lipid A serves as a C3 acceptor molecule.  Cell. Microbiol.. Vol. 4. : 584-598. (IF: 4.895)
• Edwards, J. L., E. J. Brown, K. A. Ault, and M. A. Apicella. 2001. The role of complement receptor 3 (CR3) in Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection of human cervical epithelia.  Cell. Microbiol.. Vol. 3. : 611-622. (IF: 4.557)
• Edwards, J. L., J. Q. Shao, K. A. Ault, and M. A. Apicella. 2000. Neisseria gonorrhoeae elicits membrane ruffling and cytoskeletal rearrangements upon infection of primary human endocervical and ectocervical cells.  Infect. Immun.. Vol. 68. : 5354-5363. (IF: 4.204)
• Wen, K.-K., P. C. Giardina, M. S. Blake, J. L. Edwards, M. A. Apicella, and P. A. Rubenstein. 2000. Interaction of the gonococcal porin P.IB with G- and F-actin.  Biochem.. Vol. 39. : 8638-8647. (IF: 4.221)
• Edwards, J. L. and M. A. Apicella. 2000. Ruffles and ribbons: studies of gonococcal infection in a model of the lower female genital tract.. Edited by American Society for Microbiology. Washington DC. (Report No. Invited Press Release - 100th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, Los Angeles, CA.)
• Edwards JL. 2011. Insights into the gonococcal-cervical dynamic as determined using a primary human epithelial cell model of infection. to The Schools of Molecular & Microbial Sciences and Chemistry & Molecular Bioscience. The University of Queensland. Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. (December)
• Edwards, JL, Chair. 2009. Neisseria gonorrhoeae cervical infection and beyond. Presented at Center for Microbial Pathogenesis Work in progress, to Members of the Center for Microbial Pathogenesis. The Research Institute at Nationwide Children?s Hospital. Columbus, OH. (January)
• Edwards, JL. 2009. Cellular studies of primary cervical and placental epithelial cell infection by Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Presented at Center for Microbial Interface Biology Work in Progress, to Center for Microbial Pathogenesis WIP participants. Columbus, OH, USA. (April)
• Edwards, JL. 2011. The effect of steroid hormones and oxygen availability on complement-mediated infection of primary cervical cells. Presented at The 7th Immunology Congress Vaccines and Adjuvants Workshop dedicated to Neisseria Vaccines., to The 7th Immunology Congress Vaccines and Adjuvants Workshop dedicated to Neisseria Vaccines meeting participants. Havana, Cuba. (June)
• Edwards, JL. 2005. Gonococcal cervicitis: an intimate host-pathogen interplay. Presented at Center for Microbial Pathogenesis Work in Progress, to Members of the Center for Microbial Pathogenesis. The Research Institute at Nationwide Children?s Hospital. Columbus, OH. (November)
• Edwards, J. L., Lecturer. 2004. Gonococcal PLD and signaling events triggered by Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection of primary cervical epithelial cells. Presented at Fourteenth International Pathogenic Neisseria Conference. Milwaukee, WI, USA. (September)
• Edwards, JL. 2011. Complement receptor 3 activation during cervical infection requires an interaction with the Neisseria gonorrhoeae pilin glycan. Presented at 1st European Conference of Microbiology and Immunology, to 1st European Conference of Microbiology and Immunology meeting participants. Budapest, Hungary. (May)
• Edwards, J. L., Lecturer. 2007. Gonococcal nitric oxide respiratory and detoxification mechanisms contribute to infection of primary cervical epithelial cells. to The Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics. Michigan State University. East Lansing, MI. (October)
• Edwards, JL. 2011. Gonococcal infection of primary cervical epithelial cells: the complement system and beyond. to Cell and Molecular Biosciences Program, Queensland University of Technology. Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. (September)
• Edwards, J. L., Lecturer. 2000. Cellular studies on the invasion of primary cervical epithelial cells by Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Presented at Twelfth International Pathogenic Neisseria Conference. Galveston, TX, USA. (November)
• Edwards, J. L., Lecturer. 2002. Neisseria gonorrhoeae directly binds to the I-domain of complement receptor 3 on primary cervical epithelial cells. Presented at Thirteenth International Pathogenic Neisseria Conference. Oslo, Norway. (September)
• Edwards, J. L., Lecturer. 2003. Gonococcal PLD modulates CR3-dependent infection of cervical epithelia. to Wyeth Vaccines Research. Rochester, NY, USA. (July)
• Edwards, JL. 2011. Cellular analyses of gonococcal infection of primary human cervical epithelial cells under conditions reflective of the in vivo environment. Presented at BacPath 11: Molecular Analysis of Bacterial Pathogens, The Australian Society for Microbiology, to The Australian Society for Microbiology meeting participants. New South Wales, Australia. (September)
• Holland-Hall, C. and J. L. Edwards, Lecturer. 2008. Gonococcal infections in adolescent women. to The Bench to Outcomes Seminar Series (BOSS). Nationwide Children's Hospital. Columbus, OH, USA. (October) [Peer Reviewed]
• Edwards, J. L., Lecturer. 2009. The Glycan on Neisseria gonorrhoeae Pilin triggers CR3 activation during challenge of primary cervical epithelial cells. to Institute for Glycomics. Griffith University. Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. (October)
• Edwards, JL. 2009. Clap on, clap off: remote control of gonococcal pathogenicity of primary amniochorionic epithelial cells. Presented at Center for Microbial Pathogenesis Work in Progress Monthly Meeting, to members of the Center for Microbial Pathogenesis. The Research Institute at Nationwide Children?s Hospital. Columbus, OH, USA. (September)
• Edwards, J. L., Lecturer. 2009. Host-derived Nitric Oxide is required for Neisseria gonorrhoeae Survival during Cervical Infection. to the Molecular & Microbial Sciences School and the Chemistry & Molecular Bioscience School. The University of Queensland. Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. (October)
• Edwards, J. L., Lecturer. 1999. Studies of the interaction of Neisseria gonorrhoeae with primary human cervical epithelial cells. Presented at Iowa Microscopy Society Annual Meeting. Iowa City, IA, USA. (September)
• Edwards, J. L., Lecturer. 2007. Progesterone and nitric oxide augment gonococcal cervical infection. to Children?s Health Research Center Seminar Series. The Research Institute @ Nationwide Children's Hospital. Columbus, OH. (October)
• Edwards, JL. 2008. Pilus glycosylation modulates CR3-mediated Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection of cervical epithelial cells. Presented at Center for Microbial Pathogenesis Work in Progress, to Members of the Center for Microbial Pathogenesis. The Research Institute at Nationwide Children?s Hospital. Columbus, OH. (July)
• Edwards, J. L., Lecturer. 2005. Challenges associated with the study of gonococcal disease. to Student Fellow Research Training Seminar Series. The Research Institute @ Nationwide Children's Hospital. Columbus, OH, USA. (December)
• McEwan, A, Discussant. 2010. The NmlR regulon and stress defense in Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Presented at Seventeenth International Pathogenic Neisseria Conference. Alberta, Canada. Banff. [Peer Reviewed]
• Edwards, J. L., Lecturer. 2005. Estrogen and Akt kinase contribute to CR3-mediated Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection of primary, human, cervical epithelial cells. to Molecular Virology, Imunnology, and Medical Genetics Program Seminar. Ohio State University. Columbus, OH. (April) [Peer Reviewed]
• Edwards, JL, Lecturer. 2010. The gonococcal pilin glycan mediates primary cervical epithelial cell challenge. Presented at Seventeenth International Pathogenic Neisseria Conference. Alberta, Canada. Banff. [Peer Reviewed]
• Edwards, JL. 2011. Gonococcal challenge of primary human epithelial cells: steroid hormones and nitric oxide, friends or foes? Presented at 1st European Conference of Microbiology and Immunology., to 1st European Conference of Microbiology and Immunology meeting participants. Budapest, Hungary. (May)
• Edwards, J. L., Lecturer. 2008. The role of complement in gonococcal infection of cervical epithelia. Presented at Complement: The First Barrier of Innate Immunity Workshop. Siena, Italy. (September)
• Edwards, J. L., Lecturer. 2008. The role of Neisseria gonorrhoeae PLD in cervical cell infection. to Phospholipid metabolism: disease, signal transduction, and membrane dynamics. FASEB Summer Research Conference. New Haven, CT, USA. (July)
• Edwards, J. L., Lecturer. 2007. Progesterone and Nitric oxide promote Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection of primary cervical epithelial cells. Presented at 14th Annual Midwest Microbial Pathogenesis Meeting. Chicago, IL. (October)
• Edwards, JL, Lecturer. 2011. Biofilm develoment by Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Presented at Biofilms in Human Disease Group, The Center for Microbial Interface Biology, Ohio State University, to Biofilms in Human Disease Group, The Center for Microbial Interface Biology. Ohio State University. Columbus, OH.
• Edwards, JL, Lecturer. 2010. Neisseria gonorrhoeae phospholipases in chorioamniotic infection. Presented at FASEB Summer Research Conference: Phospholipid Metabolism: Disease, Signal Transduction, and Membrane Dynamics., to conference participants. Steamboat Springs, CO, USA. (June 27 - July 2)
• Edwards, J. L., Lecturer. 2003. Complement opsonization and direct adherence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae to complement receptor 3 mediate cervical cell invasion. to Wyeth Vaccines Research. Pearl River, NY, USA. (August)
• Edwards, JL. 2006. Hormonal modulation of CR3-mediated Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection of primary, human, cervical epithelial cells. Presented at Center for Microbial Interface Biology Work in Progress, to Center for Microbial Interface Biology WIP participants. The Ohio State University. Columbus, OH. (August)
• Edwards, JL, Lecturer. 2010. Gonococcal cervical and amniochorionic infections as potential factors contributing to adverse pregnancy outcomes. Presented at Seventeenth International Pathogenic Neisseria Conference, Banff, Alberta Canada. Alberta, Canada. Banff.
• Edwards, JL, Chair. 2011. Nitric oxide promotes Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection of primary cervical epithelial cells. Presented at 7th Immunology Congress Vaccines and Adjuvants Workshop dedicated to Neisseria Vaccines., to 7th Immunology Congress Vaccines and Adjuvants Workshop dedicated to Neisseria Vaccines meeting participants. Havana, Cuba. (June)
• Edwards, JL. 2005. Gonococcal PLD plays a direct role in pilfering signaling events triggered upon infection of primary cervical epithelial cells, in part, through a direct association with Akt kinase. Presented at Center for Microbial Interface Biology Work in Progress, to Center for Microbial Interface Biology WIP participants. The Ohio State University. Columbus, OH. (February)
• Edwards, J. L., Lecturer. 2005. Hormonal Aktions in gonococcal cervicitis. Presented at Children?s Research Institute Annual Retreat. Cherry Valley Lodge. Newark, OH.
• Edwards, J. L., Lecturer. 2006. Hormonal Modulation of CR3-mediated Neisseria gonorrhoeae Infection of Primary, Human, Cervical Epithelial Cells. Presented at Fifteenth International Pathogenic Neisseria Conference. Cairns, Queensland, Australia. (September)