Chlamydia LPS and MOMP seropositivity are associated with different cytokine profiles in patients with coronary heart disease

Hypothetical protein Cpn0423 triggers NOD2 activation and contributes to Chlamydia pneumoniae-mediated inflammation

BACKGROUND

Chlamydia pneumoniae (C. pneumoniae) is pathogenic to humans, by causing pulmonary inflammation or bronchitis in both adolescents and young adults. However, the molecular signals linking C. pneumoniae components to inflammation remain elusive. This study was to investigate the effect of Chlamydia-specific Cpn0423 of C. pneumoniae on C. pneumoniae-mediated inflammation.

RESULTS

Cpn0423 was detected outside of C. pneumoniae inclusions, which induced production of several cytokines including macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) and interleukins (ILs). Production of the Cpn0423-induced cytokines was markedly reduced in cells pretreated with NOD2-siRNA, but not with negative control oligonucleotides. Mice treated with Cpn0423 through intranasal administration exhibited pulmonary inflammation as evidenced by infiltration of inflammatory cells, increased inflammatory scores in the lung histology, recruitment of neutrophils and increased cytokines levels in the BALF.

CONCLUSION

Cpn0423 could be sensed by NOD2, which was identified as an essential element in a pathway contributing to the development of C. pneumoniae -mediated inflammation.

Chlamydia pneumoniae-Mediated Inflammation in Atherosclerosis: A Meta-Analysis

Several studies have attempted to relate the C. pneumoniae-mediated inflammatory state with atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases, providing inconsistent results. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to clarify whether C. pneumoniae may contribute to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis by enhancing inflammation. 12 case-control, 6 cross-sectional, and 7 prospective studies with a total of 10,176 patients have been included in this meta-analysis. Odds Ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval was used to assess the seroprevalence of C. pneumoniae and differences between levels of inflammatory markers were assessed by standard mean differences. Publication bias was performed to ensure the statistical power. hsCRP, fibrinogen, interleukin- (IL-) 6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ showed a significant increase in patients with atherosclerosis compared to healthy controls (P < 0.05), along with a higher seroprevalence of C. pneumoniae (OR of 3.11, 95% CI: 2.88–3.36, P < 0.001). More interestingly, hsCRP, IL-6, and fibrinogen levels were significantly higher in C. pneumoniae IgA seropositive compared to seronegative atherosclerotic patients (P < 0.0001). In conclusion, the present meta-analysis suggests that C. pneumoniae infection may contribute to atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases by enhancing the inflammatory state, and, in particular, seropositivity to C. pneumoniae IgA, together with hsCRP, fibrinogen, and IL-6, may be predictive of atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk.

Socioeconomic position and inflammatory and immune biomarkers of cardiovascular disease: applications to the Panel Study of Income Dynamics

Biomarkers are an important aspect of research linking psychosocial stress and health. This article aims to characterize the biological pathways that may mediate the relationship between socioeconomic position (SEP) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) and address opportunities for further research within the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID), with a focus on psychosocial stressors related to SEP. We review the literature on CVD biomarkers, including adhesion and proinflammatory molecules (interleukin-6, other cytokines, C-reactive proteins, fibrinogen, etc.) and microbial pathogens. The impact of socioeconomic determinants and related psychosocial stressors on CVD biomarkers mediated by behavioral and central nervous system pathways are described. We also address measurement and feasibility issues, including specimen collection methods, processing and storage procedures, laboratory error, and within-person variability. In conclusion, we suggest that PSID consider adding important assessments of specific CVD biomarkers and mediating behavioral measures, health, and medications that will ultimately address many of the gaps in the literature regarding the relationship between SEP and cardiovascular health.

Reactive arthritis: defined etiologies, emerging pathophysiology, and unresolved treatment

ReA is unique in that it is one of the few disease states of which there is a known trigger. This insight into disease initiation has led to great advances in the pathophysiology. Despite this detailed knowledge, the proper treatment remains elusive. In the years to come it is possible that the specific treatment will be dictated by the triggering microbe.

Interaction between Chlamydia pneumoniae seropositivity, inflammation and risk factors for atherosclerosis in patients with severe coronary stenosis

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cpn) seropositivity in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) (n = 81) is associated with increases in markers of inflammation, the severity of coronary atherosclerosis, and traditional risk factors for cardiovascular events.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The severity of coronary atherosclerosis was ranked by Gensini score. Inflammation and endothelial dysfunction were evaluated using white blood cell counts and levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), ferritin, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukins 1beta and 6 (IL-1beta, IL-6), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), E-selectin and oxidized LDL (oxLDL), and these were compared between Cpn-seropositive and seronegative individuals.

RESULTS

IgA and IgG Cpn seropositivity were significantly associated with the presence of CAD (p = 0.005) and were independent predictive factors for the severity of coronary atherosclerosis (p = 0.005). Elevated levels of IL-6 (p = 0.027) and triglyceride (p = 0.038) and low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (p = 0.038) were significantly predicted by Cpn IgA and IgG seropositivity.

CONCLUSIONS

Seropositivity for Cpn is a risk factor for patients with significant angiographically documented coronary stenosis. Additionally, Cpn seropositivity was significantly associated with dyslipidemia and elevated IL-6, known risk factors for CAD. These observations indicate that Cpn infection may be one entry point to the causal or contributory pathways that lead to atherosclerosis and its clinical manifestations.