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Yang S, Zeng J, Yu J, Sun R, Tuo Y, Bai H. Insights into Chlamydia Development and Host Cells Response. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1302. [PMID: 39065071 PMCID: PMC11279054 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12071302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2024] [Revised: 06/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia infections commonly afflict both humans and animals, resulting in significant morbidity and imposing a substantial socioeconomic burden worldwide. As an obligate intracellular pathogen, Chlamydia interacts with other cell organelles to obtain necessary nutrients and establishes an intracellular niche for the development of a biphasic intracellular cycle. Eventually, the host cells undergo lysis or extrusion, releasing infectious elementary bodies and facilitating the spread of infection. This review provides insights into Chlamydia development and host cell responses, summarizing the latest research on the biphasic developmental cycle, nutrient acquisition, intracellular metabolism, host cell fates following Chlamydia invasion, prevalent diseases associated with Chlamydia infection, treatment options, and vaccine prevention strategies. A comprehensive understanding of these mechanisms will contribute to a deeper comprehension of the intricate equilibrium between Chlamydia within host cells and the progression of human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Hong Bai
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology (The Educational Ministry of China), Tianjin Institute of Immunology, Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China; (S.Y.); (J.Z.); (J.Y.); (R.S.); (Y.T.)
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2
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Hybiske K, Paktinat S, Newman K, Patton D, Khosropour C, Roxby AC, Mugo NR, Oluoch L, Ngure K, Suchland R, Hladik F, Vojtech L. Antibodies from chlamydia-infected individuals facilitate phagocytosis via Fc receptors. Infect Immun 2024; 92:e0050323. [PMID: 38451079 PMCID: PMC11003224 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00503-23] [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: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Non-neutralizing functions of antibodies, including phagocytosis, may play a role in Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection, but these functions have not been studied and assays are lacking. We utilized a flow-cytometry-based assay to determine whether serum samples from a well-characterized cohort of CT-infected and naïve control individuals enhanced phagocytosis via Fc-receptor-expressing THP-1 cells, and whether this activity correlated with antibody titers. Fc-receptor-mediated phagocytosis was detected only in CT+ donors. Phagocytosis generally did not correlate well with antibody titer. In addition, we found that complement from both CT+ and negative individuals enhanced phagocytosis of CT into primary neutrophils. These results suggest that anti-CT antibodies can have functions that are not reflected by titer. This method could be used to quantitively measure Fc-receptor-mediated function of anti-CT antibodies or complement activity and could reveal new immune correlates of protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Hybiske
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Shahrokh Paktinat
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Katherine Newman
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Dorothy Patton
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Alison C. Roxby
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Nelly R. Mugo
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Centre for Clinical Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Lynda Oluoch
- Centre for Clinical Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Kenneth Ngure
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- School of Public Health, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Robert Suchland
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Florian Hladik
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Lucia Vojtech
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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3
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Mercado MAB, Li Q, Quick CM, Kim Y, Palmer R, Huang L, Li LX. BHLHE40 drives protective polyfunctional CD4 T cell differentiation in the female reproductive tract against Chlamydia. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1011983. [PMID: 38271477 PMCID: PMC10846703 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The protein basic helix-loop-helix family member e40 (BHLHE40) is a transcription factor recently emerged as a key regulator of host immunity to infections, autoimmune diseases and cancer. In this study, we investigated the role of Bhlhe40 in protective T cell responses to the intracellular bacterium Chlamydia in the female reproductive tract (FRT). Mice deficient in Bhlhe40 exhibited severe defects in their ability to control Chlamydia muridarum shedding from the FRT. The heightened bacterial burdens in Bhlhe40-/- mice correlated with a marked increase in IL-10-producing T regulatory type 1 (Tr1) cells and decreased polyfunctional CD4 T cells co-producing IFN-γ, IL-17A and GM-CSF. Genetic ablation of IL-10 or functional blockade of IL-10R increased CD4 T cell polyfunctionality and partially rescued the defects in bacterial control in Bhlhe40-/- mice. Using single-cell RNA sequencing coupled with TCR profiling, we detected a significant enrichment of stem-like T cell signatures in Bhlhe40-deficient CD4 T cells, whereas WT CD4 T cells were further down on the differentiation trajectory with distinct effector functions beyond IFN-γ production by Th1 cells. Altogether, we identified Bhlhe40 as a key molecular driver of CD4 T cell differentiation and polyfunctional responses in the FRT against Chlamydia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A. B. Mercado
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, United States of America
| | - Qiang Li
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, United States of America
| | - Charles M. Quick
- Department of Pathology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, United States of America
| | - Yejin Kim
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, United States of America
| | - Rachel Palmer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, United States of America
| | - Lu Huang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, United States of America
| | - Lin-Xi Li
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, United States of America
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4
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Rixon JA, Fong KD, Morris C, Nguyen AT, Depew CE, McSorley SJ. Elimination of Chlamydia muridarum from the female reproductive tract is IL-12p40 dependent, but independent of Th1 and Th2 cells. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1011914. [PMID: 38166152 PMCID: PMC10786385 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia vaccine approaches aspire to induce Th1 cells for optimal protection, despite the fact that there is no direct evidence demonstrating Th1-mediated Chlamydia clearance from the female reproductive tract (FRT). We recently reported that T-bet-deficient mice can resolve primary Chlamydia infection normally, undermining the potentially protective role of Th1 cells in Chlamydia immunity. Here, we show that T-bet-deficient mice develop robust Th17 responses and that mice deficient in Th17 cells exhibit delayed bacterial clearance, demonstrating that Chlamydia-specific Th17 cells represent an underappreciated protective population. Additionally, Th2-deficient mice competently clear cervicovaginal infection. Furthermore, we show that sensing of IFN-γ by non-hematopoietic cells is essential for Chlamydia immunity, yet bacterial clearance in the FRT does not require IFN-γ secretion by CD4 T cells. Despite the fact that Th1 cells are not necessary for Chlamydia clearance, protective immunity to Chlamydia is still dependent on MHC class-II-restricted CD4 T cells and IL-12p40. Together, these data point to IL-12p40-dependent CD4 effector maturation as essential for Chlamydia immunity, and Th17 cells to a lesser extent, yet neither Th1 nor Th2 cell development is critical. Future Chlamydia vaccination efforts will be more effective if they focus on induction of this protective CD4 T cell population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan A. Rixon
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Kevin D. Fong
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Claire Morris
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Alana T. Nguyen
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Claire E. Depew
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Stephen J. McSorley
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
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5
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Mercado MAB, Li Q, Quick CM, Kim Y, Palmer R, Huang L, Li LX. BHLHE40 drives protective polyfunctional CD4 T cell differentiation in the female reproductive tract against Chlamydia. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.02.565369. [PMID: 37961221 PMCID: PMC10635079 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.02.565369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
The protein basic helix-loop-helix family member e40 (BHLHE40) is a transcription factor recently emerged as a key regulator of host immunity to infections, autoimmune diseases and cancer. In this study, we investigated the role of Bhlhe40 in protective T cell responses to the intracellular bacterium Chlamydia in the female reproductive tract (FRT). Mice deficient in Bhlhe40 exhibited severe defects in their ability to control Chlamydia muridarum shedding from the FRT. The heightened bacterial burdens in Bhlhe40-/- mice correlated with a marked increase in IL-10-producing T regulatory type 1 (Tr1) cells and decreased polyfunctional CD4 T cells co-producing IFN-γ, IL-17A and GM-CSF. Genetic ablation of IL-10 or functional blockade of IL-10R increased CD4 T cell polyfunctionality and partially rescued the defects in bacterial control in Bhlhe40-/- mice. Using single-cell RNA sequencing coupled with TCR profiling, we detected a significant enrichment of stem-like T cell signatures in Bhlhe40-deficient CD4 T cells, whereas WT CD4 T cells were further down on the differentiation trajectory with distinct effector functions beyond IFN-γ production by Th1 cells. Altogether, we identified Bhlhe40 as a key molecular driver of CD4 T cell differentiation and polyfunctional responses in the FRT against Chlamydia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A. B. Mercado
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205
| | - Qiang Li
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205
| | - Charles M. Quick
- Department of Pathology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205
| | - Yejin Kim
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205
| | - Rachel Palmer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205
| | - Lu Huang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205
| | - Lin-Xi Li
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205
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6
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Walsh SC, Reitano JR, Dickinson MS, Kutsch M, Hernandez D, Barnes AB, Schott BH, Wang L, Ko DC, Kim SY, Valdivia RH, Bastidas RJ, Coers J. The bacterial effector GarD shields Chlamydia trachomatis inclusions from RNF213-mediated ubiquitylation and destruction. Cell Host Microbe 2022; 30:1671-1684.e9. [PMID: 36084633 PMCID: PMC9772000 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2022.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is the leading cause of sexually transmitted bacterial infections and a major threat to women's reproductive health in particular. This obligate intracellular pathogen resides and replicates within a cellular compartment termed an inclusion, where it is sheltered by unknown mechanisms from gamma-interferon (IFNγ)-induced cell-autonomous host immunity. Through a genetic screen, we uncovered the Chlamydia inclusion membrane protein gamma resistance determinant (GarD) as a bacterial factor protecting inclusions from cell-autonomous immunity. In IFNγ-primed human cells, inclusions formed by garD loss-of-function mutants become decorated with linear ubiquitin and are eliminated. Leveraging cellular genome-wide association data, we identified the ubiquitin E3 ligase RNF213 as a candidate anti-Chlamydia protein. We demonstrate that IFNγ-inducible RNF213 facilitates the ubiquitylation and destruction of GarD-deficient inclusions. Furthermore, we show that GarD operates as a cis-acting stealth factor barring RNF213 from targeting inclusions, thus functionally defining GarD as an RNF213 antagonist essential for chlamydial growth during IFNγ-stimulated immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen C. Walsh
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey R. Reitano
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America.,Department of Immunology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Mary S. Dickinson
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Miriam Kutsch
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Dulcemaria Hernandez
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Alyson B. Barnes
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Benjamin H. Schott
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Liuyang Wang
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Dennis C. Ko
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - So Young Kim
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Raphael H. Valdivia
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Robert J. Bastidas
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Jörn Coers
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America.,Department of Immunology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America.,corresponding author and lead contact:
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7
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Th1 cells are dispensable for primary clearance of Chlamydia from the female reproductive tract of mice. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010333. [PMID: 35196366 PMCID: PMC8901068 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Protective immune responses to Chlamydia infection within the female reproductive tract (FRT) are incompletely understood. MHC class II-restricted CD4 Th1 responses are believed to be vital for bacterial clearance due to their capacity to secrete IFN-γ, but an essential requirement for T-bet-expressing Th1 cells has yet to be demonstrated in the mouse model of Chlamydia infection. Here, we investigated the role of T-bet and IFN-γ in primary clearance of Chlamydia after FRT infection. Surprisingly, IFN-γ producing CD4 T cells from the FRT expressed low levels of T-bet throughout infection, suggesting that classical T-bet-expressing Th1 cells are inefficiently generated and therefore unlikely to participate in bacteria clearance. Furthermore, mice deficient in T-bet expression or with a CD4-specific T-bet deficiency cleared FRT infection similarly to wild-type controls. T-bet-deficient mice displayed significant skewing of FRT CD4 T cells towards Th17 responses, demonstrating that compensatory effector pathways are generated in the absence of Th1 cells. In marked contrast, IFN-γ-, and IFN-γR-deficient mice were able to reduce FRT bacterial burdens, but suffered systemic bacterial dissemination and 100% mortality. Together, these data demonstrate that IFN-γ signaling is essential to protect mice from fatal systemic disease, but that classical T-bet-expressing Th1 cells are non-essential for primary clearance within the FRT. Exploring the protective contribution of Th1 cells versus other CD4 effector lineages could provide important information for the generation of new Chlamydia vaccines. The production of IFN-γ by CD4 Th1 cells is thought to be critical for the clearance of Chlamydia from the female reproductive tract (FRT), but this has not been formally tested. Here we demonstrate that T-bet+ Th1 cells are not essential for effective Chlamydia clearance. Furthermore, the impact of IFN-γ deficiency or depletion is largely observed as a failure to control bacterial dissemination, rather than clearance from the FRT. Together, these data suggest that different immunological mechanisms are responsible for restraining systemic spread of bacteria versus FRT control. Defining alternative non-Th1 CD4 effector mechanisms that are responsible for controlling Chlamydia replication within the FRT could be foundational for future vaccine development.
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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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de la Maza LM, Darville TL, Pal S. Chlamydia trachomatis vaccines for genital infections: where are we and how far is there to go? Expert Rev Vaccines 2021; 20:421-435. [PMID: 33682583 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2021.1899817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common sexually transmitted bacterial pathogen in the world. Antibiotic treatment does not prevent against reinfection and a vaccine is not yet available. AREAS COVERED We focus the review on the progress made of our understanding of the immunological responses required for a vaccine to elicit protection, and on the antigens, adjuvants, routes of immunization and delivery systems that have been tested in animal models. PubMed and Google Scholar were used to search publication on these topics for the last 5 years and recent Reviews were examined. EXPERT OPINION The first Phase 1 clinical trial of a C. trachomatis vaccine to protect against genital infections was successfully completed. We expect that, in the next five years, additional vaccine clinical trials will be implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis M de la Maza
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Medical Sciences, I, Room D440 University of California, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Toni L Darville
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Sukumar Pal
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Medical Sciences, I, Room D440 University of California, Irvine, California, USA
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10
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Murray SM, McKay PF. Chlamydia trachomatis: Cell biology, immunology and vaccination. Vaccine 2021; 39:2965-2975. [PMID: 33771390 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.03.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is the causative agent of a highly prevalent sexually transmitted bacterial disease and is associated with a number of severe disease complications. Current therapy options are successful at treating disease, but patients are left without protective immunity and do not benefit the majority asymptomatic patients who do not seek treatment. As such, there is a clear need for a broad acting, protective vaccine that can prevent transmission and protect against symptomatic disease presentation. There are three key elements that underlie successful vaccine development: 1) Chlamydia biology and immune-evasion adaptations, 2) the correlates of protection that prevent disease in natural and experimental infection, 3) reflection upon the evidence provided by previous vaccine attempts. In this review, we give an overview of the unique intra-cellular biology of C. trachomatis and give insight into the dynamic combination of adaptations that allow Chlamydia to subvert host immunity and survive within the cell. We explore the current understanding of chlamydial immunity in animal models and in humans and characterise the key immune correlates of protection against infection. We discuss in detail the specific immune interactions involved in protection, with relevance placed on the CD4+ T lymphocyte and B lymphocyte responses that are key to pathogen clearance. Finally, we provide a timeline of C. trachomatis vaccine research to date and evaluate the successes and failures in development so far. With insight from these three key elements of research, we suggest potential solutions for chlamydial vaccine development and promising avenues for further exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam M Murray
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London W2 1PG, UK.
| | - Paul F McKay
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London W2 1PG, UK.
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11
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Innate IFN-γ Is Essential for Systemic Chlamydia muridarum Control in Mice, While CD4 T Cell-Dependent IFN-γ Production Is Highly Redundant in the Female Reproductive Tract. Infect Immun 2021; 89:IAI.00541-20. [PMID: 33257535 PMCID: PMC8097277 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00541-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Protective immunity against the obligate intracellular bacterium Chlamydia has long been thought to rely on CD4 T cell-dependent gamma interferon (IFN-γ) production. Nevertheless, whether IFN-γ is produced by other cellular sources during Chlamydia infection and how CD4 T cell-dependent and -independent IFN-γ contribute differently to host resistance have not been carefully evaluated. In this study, we dissected the requirements of IFN-γ produced by innate immune cells and CD4 T cells for resolution of Chlamydia muridarum female reproductive tract (FRT) infection. After C. muridarum intravaginal infection, IFN-γ-deficient and T cell-deficient mice exhibited opposite phenotypes for survival and bacterial shedding at the FRT mucosa, demonstrating the distinct requirements for IFN-γ and CD4 T cells in host defense against Chlamydia In Rag1-deficient mice, IFN-γ produced by innate lymphocytes (ILCs) accounted for early bacterial control and prolonged survival in the absence of adaptive immunity. Although type I ILCs are potent IFN-γ producers, we found that mature NK cells and ILC1s were not the sole sources of innate IFN-γ in response to Chlamydia By conducting T cell adoptive transfer, we showed definitively that IFN-γ-deficient CD4 T cells were sufficient for effective bacterial killing in the FRT during the first 21 days of infection and reduced bacterial burden more than 1,000-fold, although mice receiving IFN-γ-deficient CD4 T cells failed to completely eradicate the bacteria from the FRT like their counterparts receiving wild-type (WT) CD4 T cells. Together, our results revealed that innate IFN-γ is essential for preventing systemic Chlamydia dissemination, whereas IFN-γ produced by CD4 T cells is largely redundant at the FRT mucosa.
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12
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Malaviarachchi PA, Mercado MAB, McSorley SJ, Li LX. Antibody, but not B-cell-dependent antigen presentation, plays an essential role in preventing Chlamydia systemic dissemination in mice. Eur J Immunol 2020; 50:676-684. [PMID: 32026472 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201948391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The obligate intracellular bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis causes the most prevalent bacterial sexually transmitted infection worldwide. CD4 T cells play a central role in the protective immunity against Chlamydia female reproductive tract (FRT) infection, while B cells are thought to be dispensable for resolution of primary Chlamydia infection in mouse models. We recently reported an unexpected requirement of B cells in local Chlamydia-specific CD4 T-cell priming and bacterial containment within the FRT. Here, we sought to tackle the precise effector function of B cells during Chlamydia primary infection. Using mixed bone marrow chimeras that lack B-cell-dependent Ag presentation (MHCIIB - / - ) or devoid of circulating antibodies (AID-/- × μS-/- ), we show that Chlamydia-specific CD4 T-cell expansion does not rely on Ag presentation by B cells. Importantly, we demonstrate that antibody, but not B-cell-dependent Ag presentation, is required for preventing systemic bacterial dissemination following Chlamydia FRT infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyangi A Malaviarachchi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Miguel A B Mercado
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Stephen J McSorley
- Center for Comparative Medicine, Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Lin-Xi Li
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
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