Neisseria infection activates cytoprotective pathways in human epithelial cells

Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the pathogen causing gonorrhea, establishes asymptomatic infections by modulating host immune responses. This study demonstrates that N. gonorrhoeae represses pro-inflammatory cytokine production through upregulation of the host transcriptional regulator ATF3, a process enhanced by Type IV pilus retraction. The commensal Neisseria elongata also induces ATF3 but at lower levels, correlating with reduced cytokine suppression. These findings suggest ATF3 plays a key role in immune modulation by pathogenic and commensal Neisseria, facilitating persistence and asymptomatic infection.