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Jury B, Fleming C, Huston WM, Luu LDW. Molecular pathogenesis of Chlamydia trachomatis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1281823. [PMID: 37920447 PMCID: PMC10619736 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1281823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is a strict intracellular human pathogen. It is the main bacterial cause of sexually transmitted infections and the etiologic agent of trachoma, which is the leading cause of preventable blindness. Despite over 100 years since C. trachomatis was first identified, there is still no vaccine. However in recent years, the advancement of genetic manipulation approaches for C. trachomatis has increased our understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of C. trachomatis and progress towards a vaccine. In this mini-review, we aimed to outline the factors related to the developmental cycle phase and specific pathogenesis activity of C. trachomatis in order to focus priorities for future genetic approaches. We highlight the factors known to be critical for developmental cycle stages, gene expression regulatory factors, type III secretion system and their effectors, and individual virulence factors with known impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany Jury
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Charlotte Fleming
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Laurence Don Wai Luu
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
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2
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Koca Ö. The Laboratory Diagnosis of Chlamydia Infections. Infect Dis (Lond) 2023. [DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.110464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteria of the genus Chlamydia belong to the order Chlamydiales, within the family Chlamydiaceae. These intracellular parasites have a different biphasic reproductive cycle than other bacteria. The important Chlamydiaceae are Chlamydia trachomatis, Chlamydophila pneumoniae and Chlamydophila psittaci. Chlamydia trachomatis and Clamydophila pneumoniae are primary human pathogens. Chlamydia trachomatis is transmitted by sexual contact. It is the causative agent of LGV (lymphogranuloma venoreum) and ocular trachoma in humans. Chlamydophila pneumoniae causes bronchitis, atypical pneumonia, sinusitis, pharyngitis, and inflammatory atherosclerosis. Chlamydia psittaci is the causative agent of psittacosis (pneumonia). It primarily causes infection in birds and domestic animals, and sometimes in humans. Chlamydia trachomatis laboratory diagnosis is based on cytological examination (Giemsa), antigen detection (with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and direct immunofluorescence staining), nucleic acid-based tests (nucleic acid probe tests and nucleic acid amplification tests—NAAT), cell culture (in vivo and in vitro), and detection of antibodies (especially microimmunofluorescence—MIF and enzyme immunoassay—EIA, for the diagnosis of LGV). The most specific test in diagnosis is cell culture, and the most sensitive is nucleic acid-based test. NAAT and MIF tests are successful in the diagnosis of C. pneumoniae infections. The diagnosis of psittacosis is usually made by serological testing, and species-specific MIF testing should be performed to confirm.
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3
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Zhang C, Liao W, Li W, Li M, Xu X, Sun H, Xue Y, Liu L, Qiu J, Zhang C, Zhang X, Ye J, Du J, Deng DYB, Deng W, Li T. Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells derived extracellular vesicles alleviate salpingitis by promoting M1-to-M2 transformation. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1131701. [PMID: 36875046 PMCID: PMC9977816 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1131701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: With an increasing number of patients experiencing infertility due to chronic salpingitis after Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection, there is an unmet need for tissue repair or regeneration therapies. Treatment with human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (hucMSC-EV) provides an attractive cell-free therapeutic approach. Methods: In this study, we investigated the alleviating effect of hucMSC-EV on tubal inflammatory infertility caused by CT using in vivo animal experiments. Furthermore, we examined the effect of hucMSC-EV on inducing macrophage polarization to explore the molecular mechanism. Results: Our results showed that tubal inflammatory infertility caused by Chlamydia infection was significantly alleviated in the hucMSC-EV treatment group compared with the control group. Further mechanistic experiments showed that the application of hucMSC-EV induced macrophage polarization from the M1 to the M2 type via the NF-κB signaling pathway, improved the local inflammatory microenvironment of fallopian tubes and inhibited tube inflammation. Conclusion: We conclude that this approach represents a promising cell-free avenue to ameliorate infertility due to chronic salpingitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changlin Zhang
- Pelvic Floor Disorders Center, Scientific Research Center, Department of Gynecology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wei Liao
- Pelvic Floor Disorders Center, Scientific Research Center, Department of Gynecology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Weizhao Li
- Pelvic Floor Disorders Center, Scientific Research Center, Department of Gynecology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Mengxiong Li
- Pelvic Floor Disorders Center, Scientific Research Center, Department of Gynecology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaoyu Xu
- Pelvic Floor Disorders Center, Scientific Research Center, Department of Gynecology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Haohui Sun
- Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yaohua Xue
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lixiang Liu
- Pelvic Floor Disorders Center, Scientific Research Center, Department of Gynecology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jiehong Qiu
- Pelvic Floor Disorders Center, Scientific Research Center, Department of Gynecology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chi Zhang
- Pelvic Floor Disorders Center, Scientific Research Center, Department of Gynecology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xunzhi Zhang
- College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Juntong Ye
- Pelvic Floor Disorders Center, Scientific Research Center, Department of Gynecology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jingran Du
- Pelvic Floor Disorders Center, Scientific Research Center, Department of Gynecology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - David Y B Deng
- Pelvic Floor Disorders Center, Scientific Research Center, Department of Gynecology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wuguo Deng
- Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tian Li
- Pelvic Floor Disorders Center, Scientific Research Center, Department of Gynecology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
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4
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Fields KA, Bodero MD, Scanlon KR, Jewett TJ, Wolf K. A Minimal Replicon Enables Efficacious, Species-Specific Gene Deletion in Chlamydia and Extension of Gene Knockout Studies to the Animal Model of Infection Using Chlamydia muridarum. Infect Immun 2022; 90:e0045322. [PMID: 36350146 PMCID: PMC9753632 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00453-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The genus Chlamydia consists of diverse, obligate intracellular bacteria that infect various animals, including humans. Although chlamydial species share many aspects of the typical intracellular lifestyle, such as the biphasic developmental cycle and the preference for invasion of epithelial cells, each chlamydial strain also employs sophisticated species-specific strategies that contribute to an extraordinary diversity in organ and/or tissue tropism and disease manifestation. In order to discover and understand the mechanisms underlying how these pathogens infect particular hosts and cause specific diseases, it is imperative to develop a mutagenesis approach that would be applicable to every chlamydial species. We present functional evidence that the region between Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydia muridarum pgp6 and pgp7, containing four 22-bp tandem repeats that are present in all chlamydial endogenous plasmids, represents the plasmid origin of replication. Furthermore, by introducing species-specific ori regions into an engineered 5.45-kb pUC19-based plasmid, we generated vectors that can be successfully transformed into and propagated under selective pressure by C. trachomatis serovars L2 and D, as well as C. muridarum. Conversely, these vectors were rapidly lost upon removal of the selective antibiotic. This conditionally replicating system was used to generate a tarP deletion mutant by fluorescence-reported allelic exchange mutagenesis in both C. trachomatis serovar D and C. muridarum. The strains were analyzed using in vitro invasion and fitness assays. The virulence of the C. muridarum strains was then assessed in a murine infection model. Our approach represents a novel and efficient strategy for targeted genetic manipulation in Chlamydia beyond C. trachomatis L2. This advance will support comparative studies of species-specific infection biology and enable studies in a well-established murine model of chlamydial pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth A. Fields
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Maria D. Bodero
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Kaylyn R. Scanlon
- Division of Immunity and Pathogenesis, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Travis J. Jewett
- Division of Immunity and Pathogenesis, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Katerina Wolf
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
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5
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Abisoye-Ogunniyan A, Carrano IM, Weilhammer DR, Gilmore SF, Fischer NO, Pal S, de la Maza LM, Coleman MA, Rasley A. A Survey of Preclinical Studies Evaluating Nanoparticle-Based Vaccines Against Non-Viral Sexually Transmitted Infections. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:768461. [PMID: 34899322 PMCID: PMC8662999 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.768461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A worldwide estimate of over one million STIs are acquired daily and there is a desperate need for effective preventive as well as therapeutic measures to curtail this global health burden. Vaccines have been the most effective means for the control and potential eradication of infectious diseases; however, the development of vaccines against STIs has been a daunting task requiring extensive research for the development of safe and efficacious formulations. Nanoparticle-based vaccines represent a promising platform as they offer benefits such as targeted antigen presentation and delivery, co-localized antigen-adjuvant combinations for enhanced immunogenicity, and can be designed to be biologically inert. Here we discuss promising types of nanoparticles along with outcomes from nanoparticle-based vaccine preclinical studies against non-viral STIs including chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea, and recommendations for future nanoparticle-based vaccines against STIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abisola Abisoye-Ogunniyan
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
| | - Isabella M Carrano
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, Rausser College of Natural Resources, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Dina R Weilhammer
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
| | - Sean F Gilmore
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
| | - Nicholas O Fischer
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
| | - Sukumar Pal
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Luis M de la Maza
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Matthew A Coleman
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
| | - Amy Rasley
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
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6
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Wang S, Zhang K, Yao Y, Li J, Deng S. Bacterial Infections Affect Male Fertility: A Focus on the Oxidative Stress-Autophagy Axis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:727812. [PMID: 34746124 PMCID: PMC8566953 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.727812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous factors trigger male infertility, including lifestyle, the environment, health, medical resources and pathogenic microorganism infections. Bacterial infections of the male reproductive system can cause various reproductive diseases. Several male reproductive organs, such as the testicles, have unique immune functions that protect the germ cells from damage. In the reproductive system, immune cells can recognize the pathogen-associated molecular patterns carried by pathogenic microorganisms and activate the host's innate immune response. Furthermore, bacterial infections can lead to oxidative stress through multiple signaling pathways. Many studies have revealed that oxidative stress serves dual functions: moderate oxidative stress can help clear the invaders and maintain sperm motility, but excessive oxidative stress will induce host damage. Additionally, oxidative stress is always accompanied by autophagy which can also help maintain host homeostasis. Male reproductive system homeostasis disequilibrium can cause inflammation of the genitourinary system, influence spermatogenesis, and even lead to infertility. Here, we focus on the effect of oxidative stress and autophagy on bacterial infection in the male reproductive system, and we also explore the crosslink between oxidative stress and autophagy during this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sutian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Breeding, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Institute of Animal Science, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kunli Zhang
- Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuchang Yao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Jianhao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Breeding, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Institute of Animal Science, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Maoming, China
| | - Shoulong Deng
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Comparative Medicine Center, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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7
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The Reaction of Innate Lymphoid Cells in the Mouse Female Genital Tract to Chlamydial Infection. Infect Immun 2021; 89:e0080020. [PMID: 34424753 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00800-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) comprise five distinct subsets. ILCs are found at mucosal barriers and may fight invading pathogens. Chlamydia is an intracellular bacterium that infects the mucosa of the genital tract and can cause severe tissue damage. Here, we used a mouse infection model with Chlamydia muridarum to measure the reaction of genital tract ILCs to the infection. Tissue-resident natural killer (NK) cells were the largest group in the uninfected female genital tract, and their number did not substantially change. Conventional NK cells were present in the greatest numbers during acute infection, while ILC1s continuously increased to high numbers. ILC2 and ILC3s were found at lower numbers that oscillated by a factor of 2 to 4. The majority of ILC3s transdifferentiated into ILC1s. NK cells and ILC1s produced gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and, rarely, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), but only early in the infection. Lack of B and T cells increased ILC numbers, while the loss of myeloid cells decreased them. ILCs accumulated to a high density in the oviduct, a main site of tissue destruction. ILC subsets are part of the inflammatory and immune reaction during infection with C. muridarum and may contribute to tissue damage during chlamydial infection.
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8
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Yang X, Siddique A, Khan AA, Wang Q, Malik A, Jan AT, Rudayni HA, Chaudhary AA, Khan S. Chlamydia Trachomatis Infection: Their potential implication in the Etiology of Cervical Cancer. J Cancer 2021; 12:4891-4900. [PMID: 34234859 PMCID: PMC8247366 DOI: 10.7150/jca.58582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic bacterial strains can alter the normal function of cells and induce different levels of inflammatory responses that are connected to the development of different diseases, such as tuberculosis, diarrhea, cancer etc. Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) is an intracellular obligate gram-negative bacterium which has been connected with the cervical cancer etiology. Nevertheless, establishment of causality and the underlying mechanisms of carcinogenesis of cervical cancer associated with C. trachomatis remain unclear. Studies reveal the existence of C. trachomatis in cervical cancer patients. The DNA repair pathways including mismatch repair, nucleotide excision, and base excision are vital in the abatement of accumulated mutations that can direct to the process of carcinogenesis. C. trachomatis recruits DDR proteins away from sites of DNA damage and, in this way, impedes the DDR. Therefore, by disturbing host cell-cycle control, chromatin and DDR repair, C. trachomatis makes a situation favorable for malignant transformation. Inflammation originated due to infection directs over production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and consequent oxidative DNA damage. This review may aid our current understanding of the etiology of cervical cancer in C. trachomatis-infected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingju Yang
- Department of Nursing, Jinan People's Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong 271199, China
| | - Anam Siddique
- Department of Biosciences, Shri Ram Group of College (SRGC), Muzaffarnagar 251001, India
| | - Abdul Arif Khan
- Division of Microbiology, Indian Council of Medical Research-National AIDS Research Institute, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Qian Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jinan Fifth People's Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, 250022, China
| | - Abdul Malik
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, P.O. Box 2457, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Arif Tasleem Jan
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Rajouri 185236, India
| | - Hassan Ahmed Rudayni
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh 11623, Saudi Arabia
| | - Anis Ahmad Chaudhary
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh 11623, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shahanavaj Khan
- Department of Biosciences, Shri Ram Group of College (SRGC), Muzaffarnagar 251001, India
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, P.O. Box 2457, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Health Sciences, Novel Global Community Educational Foundation, Australia
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9
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Banerjee A, Nelson DE. The growing repertoire of genetic tools for dissecting chlamydial pathogenesis. Pathog Dis 2021; 79:ftab025. [PMID: 33930127 PMCID: PMC8112481 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftab025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple species of obligate intracellular bacteria in the genus Chlamydia are important veterinary and/or human pathogens. These pathogens all share similar biphasic developmental cycles and transition between intracellular vegetative reticulate bodies and infectious elementary forms, but vary substantially in their host preferences and pathogenic potential. A lack of tools for genetic engineering of these organisms has long been an impediment to the study of their biology and pathogenesis. However, the refinement of approaches developed in C. trachomatis over the last 10 years, and adaptation of some of these approaches to other Chlamydia spp. in just the last few years, has opened exciting new possibilities for studying this ubiquitous group of important pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arkaprabha Banerjee
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - David E Nelson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
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10
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Ahmadi SJ, Farhadifar F, Sharami SRY, Zare S, Rezaei M, Soofizadeh N, Babaei E, Moradi G, Ahmadi A. The role of Chlamydia trachomatis in preterm delivery: a case-control study in Besat Hospital, Sanandaj, Iran (2018-2019). IRANIAN JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY 2020; 12:325-330. [PMID: 32994904 PMCID: PMC7502151 DOI: 10.18502/ijm.v12i4.3936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Preterm delivery is an important subject in gynecology, obstetrics and pediatrics. It is defined as regular uterine contractions every five to eight minutes or less, lasting for 30 seconds. It is associated with progressive changes in the cervix, resulting in delivery after 22 weeks and before 37 weeks of gestation. This study aimed to evaluate the role of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in women with preterm delivery. Materials and Methods: This case-control study was performed on 75 women with preterm delivery (case group) and 75 women with term delivery (control group). The research tools included a questionnaire, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay of cervical swab samples and ELISA assay of umbilical cord blood samples. Fisher’s exact test and t test were also performed to compare qualitative variables between the two groups. Results: In this study, the mean age of subjects was 26.55 ± 0.53 years in the control group and 26.76 ± 0.56 years in the case group. The prevalence of C. trachomatis in the cervical swab samples was 7 (9.33%) in the control group and 2 (2.67%) in the case group. There was no C. trachomatis IgM antibody in either of the groups, while there was 1 (1.33%) C. trachomatis IgG antibody in both groups. Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that there was no significant relationship between C. trachomatis infection and preterm delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyedeh Jahan Ahmadi
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, School of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Fariba Farhadifar
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, School of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran.,Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | | | - Shamsi Zare
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, School of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Masomeh Rezaei
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, School of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Nasrin Soofizadeh
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, School of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Erfan Babaei
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Ghobad Moradi
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Amjad Ahmadi
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran.,Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
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11
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Robbins A, Hanger J, Jelocnik M, Quigley BL, Timms P. Koala immunogenetics and chlamydial strain type are more directly involved in chlamydial disease progression in koalas from two south east Queensland koala populations than koala retrovirus subtypes. Sci Rep 2020; 10:15013. [PMID: 32929174 PMCID: PMC7490398 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-72050-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydial disease control is increasingly utilised as a management tool to stabilise declining koala populations, and yet we have a limited understanding of the factors that contribute to disease progression. To examine the impact of host and pathogen genetics, we selected two geographically separated south east Queensland koala populations, differentially affected by chlamydial disease, and analysed koala major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes, circulating strains of Chlamydia pecorum and koala retrovirus (KoRV) subtypes in longitudinally sampled, well-defined clinical groups. We found that koala immunogenetics and chlamydial genotypes differed between the populations. Disease progression was associated with specific MHC alleles, and we identified two putative susceptibility (DCb 03, DBb 04) and protective (DAb 10, UC 01:01) variants. Chlamydial genotypes belonging to both Multi-Locus Sequence Typing sequence type (ST) 69 and ompA genotype F were associated with disease progression, whereas ST 281 was associated with the absence of disease. We also detected different ompA genotypes, but not different STs, when long-term infections were monitored over time. By comparison, KoRV profiles were not significantly associated with disease progression. These findings suggest that chlamydial genotypes vary in pathogenicity and that koala immunogenetics and chlamydial strains are more directly involved in disease progression than KoRV subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Robbins
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs, QLD, 4556, Australia.,Endeavour Veterinary Ecology Pty Ltd, 1695 Pumicestone Road, Toorbul, QLD, 4510, Australia
| | - Jonathan Hanger
- Endeavour Veterinary Ecology Pty Ltd, 1695 Pumicestone Road, Toorbul, QLD, 4510, Australia
| | - Martina Jelocnik
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs, QLD, 4556, Australia
| | - Bonnie L Quigley
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs, QLD, 4556, Australia
| | - Peter Timms
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs, QLD, 4556, Australia.
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Duncan SA, Sahu R, Dixit S, Singh SR, Dennis VA. Suppressors of Cytokine Signaling (SOCS)1 and SOCS3 Proteins Are Mediators of Interleukin-10 Modulation of Inflammatory Responses Induced by Chlamydia muridarum and Its Major Outer Membrane Protein (MOMP) in Mouse J774 Macrophages. Mediators Inflamm 2020; 2020:7461742. [PMID: 32684836 PMCID: PMC7333066 DOI: 10.1155/2020/7461742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The immunopathology of chlamydial diseases is exacerbated by a broad-spectrum of inflammatory mediators, which we reported are inhibited by IL-10 in macrophages. However, the chlamydial protein moiety that induces the inflammatory mediators and the mechanisms by which IL-10 inhibits them are unknown. We hypothesized that Chlamydia major outer membrane protein (MOMP) mediates its disease pathogenesis, and the suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS)1 and SOCS3 proteins are mediators of the IL-10 inhibitory actions. Our hypothesis was tested by exposing mouse J774 macrophages to chlamydial stimulants (live Chlamydia muridarum and MOMP) with and without IL-10. MOMP significantly induced several inflammatory mediators (IL-6, IL-12p40, CCL5, CXCL10), which were dose-dependently inhibited by IL-10. Chlamydial stimulants induced the mRNA gene transcripts and protein expression of SOCS1 and SOCS3, with more SOCS3 expression. Notably, IL-10 reciprocally regulated their expression by reducing SOCS1 and increasing SOCS3. Specific inhibitions of MAPK pathways revealed that p38, JNK, and MEK1/2 are required for inducing inflammatory mediators as well as SOCS1 and SOCS3. Chlamydial stimulants triggered an M1 pro-inflammatory phenotype evidently by an enhanced nos2 (M1 marker) expression, which was skewed by IL-10 towards a more M2 anti-inflammatory phenotype by the increased expression of mrc1 and arg1 (M2 markers) and the reduced SOCS1/SOCS3 ratios. Neutralization of endogenously produced IL-10 augmented the secretion of inflammatory mediators, reduced SOCS3 expression, and skewed the chlamydial M1 to an M2 phenotype. Inhibition of proteasome degradation increased TNF but decreased IL-10, CCL5, and CXCL10 secretion by suppressing SOCS1 and SOCS3 expressions and dysregulating their STAT1 and STAT3 transcription factors. Our data show that SOCS1 and SOCS3 are regulators of IL-10 inhibitory actions, and underscore SOCS proteins as therapeutic targets for IL-10 control of inflammation for Chlamydia and other bacterial inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Skyla A. Duncan
- Center for NanoBiotechnology Research (CNBR), Department of Biological Sciences, Alabama State University, 1627 Harris Way, Montgomery, AL 36104, USA
| | - Rajnish Sahu
- Center for NanoBiotechnology Research (CNBR), Department of Biological Sciences, Alabama State University, 1627 Harris Way, Montgomery, AL 36104, USA
| | - Saurabh Dixit
- Center for NanoBiotechnology Research (CNBR), Department of Biological Sciences, Alabama State University, 1627 Harris Way, Montgomery, AL 36104, USA
| | - Shree R. Singh
- Center for NanoBiotechnology Research (CNBR), Department of Biological Sciences, Alabama State University, 1627 Harris Way, Montgomery, AL 36104, USA
| | - Vida A. Dennis
- Center for NanoBiotechnology Research (CNBR), Department of Biological Sciences, Alabama State University, 1627 Harris Way, Montgomery, AL 36104, USA
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Zafiratos MT, Cottrell JT, Manam S, Henderson KK, Ramsey KH, Murthy AK. Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily members 1a and 1b contribute to exacerbation of atherosclerosis by Chlamydia pneumoniae in mice. Microbes Infect 2018; 21:104-108. [PMID: 30292879 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2018.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Revised: 09/13/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The host immune responses that mediate Chlamydia-induced chronic disease sequelae are incompletely understood. The role of TNF-α, TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1), and TNF receptor 2 (TNFR2), in Chlamydia pneumoniae (CPN)-induced atherosclerosis was studied using the high-fat diet-fed male C57BL/6J mouse model. Following intranasal CPN infection, TNF-α knockout (KO), TNFR1 KO, TNFR2 KO, and TNFR 1/2 double-knockout, displayed comparable serum anti-chlamydial antibody response, splenic antigen-specific cytokine response, and serum cholesterol profiles compared to wild type (WT) animals. However, atherosclerotic pathology in each CPN-infected KO mouse group was reduced significantly compared to WT mice, suggesting that both TNFR1 and TNFR2 promote CPN-induced atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark T Zafiratos
- College of Health Sciences, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, 60515, USA
| | - Jonathan T Cottrell
- Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, 60515, USA
| | - Srikanth Manam
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, 85308, USA
| | - Kyle K Henderson
- Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, 60515, USA
| | - Kyle H Ramsey
- Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, 60515, USA; College of Veterinary Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, 85308, USA
| | - Ashlesh K Murthy
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, 85308, USA.
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14
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Li W, Gudipaty P, Li C, Henderson KK, Ramsey KH, Murthy AK. Intranasal immunization with recombinant chlamydial protease-like activity factor attenuates atherosclerotic pathology following Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in mice. Immunol Cell Biol 2018; 97:85-91. [PMID: 30051926 DOI: 10.1111/imcb.12192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2018] [Revised: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
We have shown previously that intranasal vaccination with recombinant chlamydial protease-like activity factor (rCPAF: antigen) and interleukin-12 (IL-12) as an adjuvant induces robust protection against pathological consequences of female genital tract infection with Chlamydia muridarum, a closely related species and a rodent model for the human pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis. Another related species Chlamydia pneumoniae, a human respiratory pathogen, has been associated with exacerbation of atherosclerotic pathology. CPAF is highly conserved among Chlamydia spp. leading us to hypothesize that immunization with rCPAF with IL-12 will protect against high-fat diet (HFD) and C. pneumoniae-induced acceleration of atherosclerosis. rCPAF ± IL-12 immunization induced robust splenic antigen (Ag)-specific IFN-γ and TNF-α production and significantly elevated serum total anti-CPAF Ab, IgG2c, and IgG1 antibody levels compared to mock or IL-12 alone groups. The addition of IL-12 to rCPAF significantly elevated splenic Ag-specific IFN-γ production and IgG2c/IgG1 anti-CPAF antibody ratio. Following intranasal C. pneumoniae challenge and HFD feeding, rCPAF ± IL-12-immunized mice displayed significantly enhanced splenic IFN-γ, not TNF-α, response on days 6 and 9 after challenge, and significantly reduced lung chlamydial burden on day 9 post-challenge compared to mock- or IL-12-immunized mice. Importantly, rCPAF ± IL-12-immunized mice displayed significantly reduced atherosclerotic pathology in the aortas after C. pneumoniae challenge. Serum cholesterol levels were comparable between the groups suggesting that the observed differences in pathology were due to protective immunity against the infection. Together, these results confirm and extend our previous observations that CPAF is a promising candidate antigen for a multisubunit vaccine regimen to protect against Chlamydia-induced pathologies, including atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weidang Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, CA, USA
| | - Pareesha Gudipaty
- College of Health Sciences, Midwestern University, Glendale, CA, USA
| | - Chuxi Li
- Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL, USA.,College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Kyle K Henderson
- Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL, USA
| | - Kyle H Ramsey
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, CA, USA.,Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL, USA
| | - Ashlesh K Murthy
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, CA, USA
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