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Poston TB, Girardi J, Polson AG, Bhardwaj A, Yount KS, Jaras Salas I, Trim LK, Li Y, O'Connell CM, Leahy D, Harris JM, Beagley KW, Goonetilleke N, Darville T. Viral-vectored boosting of OmcB- or CPAF-specific T-cell responses fail to enhance protection from Chlamydia muridarum in infection-immune mice and elicits a non-protective CD8-dominant response in naïve mice. Mucosal Immunol 2024:S1933-0219(24)00066-7. [PMID: 38969067 DOI: 10.1016/j.mucimm.2024.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
Abstract
A vaccine is needed to combat the Chlamydia epidemic. Replication-deficient viral vectors are safe and induce antigen-specific T-cell memory. We tested the ability of intramuscular immunization with modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) virus or chimpanzee adenovirus (ChAd) expressing chlamydial outer membrane protein (OmcB) or the secreted protein, chlamydial protease-like activating factor (CPAF), to enhance T-cell immunity and protection in mice previously infected with plasmid-deficient Chlamydia muridarum CM972 and elicit protection in naïve mice. MVA.OmcB or MVA.CPAF increased antigen-specific T cells in CM972-immune mice ∼150 and 50-fold, respectively, but failed to improve bacterial clearance. ChAd.OmcB/MVA.OmcB prime-boost immunization of naïve mice elicited a cluster of differentiation (CD) 8-dominant T-cell response dominated by cluster of differentiation (CD)8 T cells that failed to protect. ChAd.CPAF/ChAd.CPAF prime-boost also induced a CD8-dominant response with a marginal reduction in burden. Challenge of ChAd.CPAF-immunized mice genetically deficient in CD4 or CD8 T cells showed that protection was entirely CD4-dependent. CD4-deficient mice had prolonged infection, whereas CD8-deficient mice had higher frequencies of CPAF-specific CD4 T cells, earlier clearance, and reduced burden than wild-type controls. These data reinforce the essential nature of the CD4 T-cell response in protection from chlamydial genital infection in mice and the need for vaccine platforms that drive CD4-dominant responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor B Poston
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | - Jenna Girardi
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - A Grace Polson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Aakash Bhardwaj
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Kacy S Yount
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Ian Jaras Salas
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Logan K Trim
- Center for Immunology and Infection Control and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Yanli Li
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Catherine M O'Connell
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Darren Leahy
- Center for Immunology and Infection Control and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jonathan M Harris
- Center for Immunology and Infection Control and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kenneth W Beagley
- Center for Immunology and Infection Control and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nilu Goonetilleke
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Toni Darville
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Pagliarani S, Johnston SD, Beagley KW, Palmieri C. Immunohistochemical characterization of the immune cell response during chlamydial infection in the male and female koala ( Phascolarctos cinereus) reproductive tract. Vet Pathol 2024; 61:621-632. [PMID: 38240274 PMCID: PMC11264539 DOI: 10.1177/03009858231225499] [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] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Chlamydiosis is one of the main causes of the progressive decline of koala populations in eastern Australia. While histologic, immunologic, and molecular studies have provided insights into the basic function of the koala immune system, the in situ immune cell signatures during chlamydial infection of the reproductive tract in koalas have not been investigated. Thirty-two female koalas and 47 males presented to wildlife hospitals with clinical signs suggestive of Chlamydia infection were euthanized with the entire reproductive tract collected for histology; immunohistochemistry (IHC) for T-cell (CD3ε, CD4, and CD8α), B-cell (CD79b), and human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR markers; and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (rtPCR) for Chlamydia pecorum. T-cells, B-cells, and HLA-DR-positive cells were observed in both the lower and upper reproductive tracts of male and female koalas with a statistically significant associations between the degree of the inflammatory reaction; the number of CD3, CD4, CD79b, and HLA-DR positive cells; and the PCR load. CD4-positive cells were negatively associated with the severity of the gross lesions. The distribution of immune cells was also variable according to the location within the genital tract in both male and female koalas. These preliminary results represent a step forward towards further exploring mechanisms behind chlamydial infection immunopathogenesis, thus providing valuable information about the immune response and infectious diseases in free-ranging koalas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Pagliarani
- The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD, Australia
- University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
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Tian Q, Zhang T, Shu C, Han Z, Huang Y, Wan J, Wang L, Sun X. Diverse animal models for Chlamydia infections: unraveling pathogenesis through the genital and gastrointestinal tracts. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1386343. [PMID: 38605708 PMCID: PMC11007077 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1386343] [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: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is responsible for infections in various mucosal tissues, including the eyes, urogenital, respiratory, and gastrointestinal tracts. Chronic infections can result in severe consequences such as blindness, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility. The underlying mechanisms leading to these diseases involve sustained inflammatory responses, yet thorough comprehension of the underlying mechanisms remains elusive. Chlamydial biologists employ in multiple methods, integrating biochemistry, cell biology, and genetic tools to identify bacterial factors crucial for host cell interactions. While numerous animal models exist to study chlamydial pathogenesis and assess vaccine efficacy, selecting appropriate models for biologically and clinically relevant insights remains a challenge. Genital infection models in animals have been pivotal in unraveling host-microbe dynamics, identifying potential chlamydial virulence factors influencing genital pathogenicity. However, the transferability of this knowledge to human pathogenic mechanisms remains uncertain. Many putative virulence factors lack assessment in optimal animal tissue microenvironments, despite the diverse chlamydial infection models available. Given the propensity of genital Chlamydia to spread to the gastrointestinal tract, investigations into the pathogenicity and immunological impact of gut Chlamydia become imperative. Notably, the gut emerges as a promising site for both chlamydial infection vaccination and pathogenesis. This review elucidates the pathogenesis of Chlamydia infections and delineates unique features of prevalent animal model systems. The primary focus of this review is to consolidate and summarize current animal models utilized in Chlamydia researches, presenting findings, discussions on their contributions, and suggesting potential directions for further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Tian
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory for Birth Defect Research and Prevention, Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Tianyuan Zhang
- Key Lab of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Shanghai Institute of Immunity and Infection, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Chuqiang Shu
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory for Birth Defect Research and Prevention, Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zixuan Han
- Key Laboratory of Multi-Cell Systems, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Youyou Huang
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jiao Wan
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Luying Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 3rd Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xin Sun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 3rd Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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Murthy AK, Wright-McAfee E, Warda K, Moy LN, Bui N, Musunuri T, Manam S, Chako CZ, Ramsey KH, Li W. Protective anti-chlamydial vaccine regimen-induced CD4+ T cell response mediates early inhibition of pathogenic CD8+ T cell response following genital challenge. Pathog Dis 2024; 82:ftae008. [PMID: 38684476 PMCID: PMC11149721 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftae008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
We have demonstrated previously that TNF-α-producing CD8+ T cells mediate chlamydial pathogenesis, likely in an antigen (Ag)-specific fashion. Here we hypothesize that inhibition of Ag-specific CD8+ T cell response after immunization and/or challenge would correlate with protection against oviduct pathology induced by a protective vaccine regimen. Intranasal (i.n.) live chlamydial elementary body (EB), intramuscular (i.m.) live EB, or i.n. irrelevant antigen, bovine serum albumin (BSA), immunized animals induced near-total protection, 50% protection, or no protection, respectively against oviduct pathology following i.vag. C. muridarum challenge. In these models, we evaluated Ag-specific CD8+ T cell cytokine response at various time-periods after immunization or challenge. The results show protective efficacy of vaccine regimens correlated with reduction of Ag-specific CD8+ T cell TNF-α responses following i.vag. chlamydial challenge, not after immunization. Depletion of CD4+ T cells abrogated, whereas adoptive transfer of Ag-specific CD4+ T cells induced the significant reduction of Ag-specific CD8+ T cell TNF-α response after chlamydial challenge. In conclusion, protective anti-chlamydial vaccine regimens induce Ag-specific CD4+ T cell response that mediate early inhibition of pathogenic CD8+ T cell response following challenge and may serve as a predictive biomarker of protection against Chlamydia -induced chronic pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashlesh K Murthy
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
| | - Erika Wright-McAfee
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
| | - Katerina Warda
- Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
| | - Lindsay N Moy
- Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
| | - Nhi Bui
- Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
| | - Tarakarama Musunuri
- Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
| | - Srikanth Manam
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
| | - Clemence Z Chako
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
| | - Kyle H Ramsey
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
- College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
| | - Weidang Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
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Wang X, Wu H, Fang C, Li Z. Insights into innate immune cell evasion by Chlamydia trachomatis. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1289644. [PMID: 38333214 PMCID: PMC10850350 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1289644] [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: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis, is a kind of obligate intracellular pathogen. The removal of C. trachomatis relies primarily on specific cellular immunity. It is currently considered that CD4+ Th1 cytokine responses are the major protective immunity against C. trachomatis infection and reinfection rather than CD8+ T cells. The non-specific immunity (innate immunity) also plays an important role in the infection process. To survive inside the cells, the first process that C. trachomatis faces is the innate immune response. As the "sentry" of the body, mast cells attempt to engulf and remove C. trachomatis. Dendritic cells present antigen of C. trachomatis to the "commanders" (T cells) through MHC-I and MHC-II. IFN-γ produced by activated T cells and natural killer cells (NK) further activates macrophages. They form the body's "combat troops" and produce immunity against C. trachomatis in the tissues and blood. In addition, the role of eosinophils, basophils, innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), natural killer T (NKT) cells, γδT cells and B-1 cells should not be underestimated in the infection of C. trachomatis. The protective role of innate immunity is insufficient, and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) caused by C. trachomatis infections tend to be insidious and recalcitrant. As a consequence, C. trachomatis has developed a unique evasion mechanism that triggers inflammatory immunopathology and acts as a bridge to protective to pathological adaptive immunity. This review focuses on the recent advances in how C. trachomatis evades various innate immune cells, which contributes to vaccine development and our understanding of the pathophysiologic consequences of C. trachomatis infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Zhongyu Li
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, School of Nursing, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, China
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Armitage CW, O'Meara CP, Bryan ER, Kollipara A, Trim LK, Hickey D, Carey AJ, Huston WM, Donnelly G, Yazdani A, Blumberg RS, Beagley KW. IgG exacerbates genital chlamydial pathology in females by enhancing pathogenic CD8 + T cell responses. Scand J Immunol 2024; 99:e13331. [PMID: 38441219 PMCID: PMC10909563 DOI: 10.1111/sji.13331] [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: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis infections are an important sexually transmitted infection that can lead to inflammation, scarring and hydrosalpinx/infertility. However, infections are commonly clinically asymptomatic and do not receive treatment. The underlying cause of asymptomatic immunopathology remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate that IgG produced during male infection enhanced the incidence of immunopathology and infertility in females. Human endocervical cells expressing the neonatal Fc Receptor (FcRn) increased translocation of human IgG-opsonized C. trachomatis. Using total IgG purified from infected male mice, we opsonized C. muridarum and then infected female mice, mimicking sexual transmission. Following infection, IgG-opsonized Chlamydia was found to transcytose the epithelial barrier in the uterus, where it was phagocytosed by antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and trafficked to the draining lymph nodes. APCs then expanded both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell populations and caused significantly more infertility in female mice infected with non-opsonized Chlamydia. Enhanced phagocytosis of IgG-opsonized Chlamydia significantly increased pro-inflammatory signalling and T cell proliferation. As IgG is transcytosed by FcRn, we utilized FcRn-/- mice and observed that shedding kinetics of Chlamydia were only affected in FcRn-/- mice infected with IgG-opsonized Chlamydia. Depletion of CD8+ T cells in FcRn-/- mice lead to a significant reduction in the incidence of infertility. Taken together, these data demonstrate that IgG seroconversion during male infection can amplify female immunopathology, dependent on FcRn transcytosis, APC differentiation and enhanced CD8 T cell responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles W. Armitage
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control and School of Biomedical SciencesQueensland University of Technology (QUT)BrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Connor P. O'Meara
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control and School of Biomedical SciencesQueensland University of Technology (QUT)BrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
- Drop Bio Ltd, School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences (BABS)University of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Emily R. Bryan
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control and School of Biomedical SciencesQueensland University of Technology (QUT)BrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Avinash Kollipara
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control and School of Biomedical SciencesQueensland University of Technology (QUT)BrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Logan K. Trim
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control and School of Biomedical SciencesQueensland University of Technology (QUT)BrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Danica Hickey
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control and School of Biomedical SciencesQueensland University of Technology (QUT)BrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Alison J. Carey
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control and School of Biomedical SciencesQueensland University of Technology (QUT)BrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Wilhelmina M. Huston
- School of Life SciencesUniversity of Technology (UTS) SydneyUltimoNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Gavin Donnelly
- Queensland Fertility Group (QFG)BrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Anusch Yazdani
- Queensland Fertility Group (QFG)BrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Richard S. Blumberg
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of MedicineBrigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Kenneth W. Beagley
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control and School of Biomedical SciencesQueensland University of Technology (QUT)BrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
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Barton A, Faal N, Ramadhani A, Derrick T, Mafuru E, Mtuy T, Massae P, Malissa A, Joof H, Makalo P, Sillah A, Harte A, Pickering H, Bailey R, Mabey DCW, Burton MJ, Holland MJ. Longitudinal changes in tear cytokines and antimicrobial proteins in trachomatous disease. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011689. [PMID: 37862368 PMCID: PMC10619880 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trachoma is a neglected tropical disease caused by ocular infection with Chlamydia trachomatis, where repeated infections and chronic inflammation can ultimately result in scarring, trichiasis and blindness. While scarring is thought to be mediated by a dysregulated immune response, the kinetics of cytokines and antimicrobial proteins in the tear film have not yet been characterised. METHODOLOGY Pooled tears from a Gambian cohort and Tanzanian cohort were semi-quantitatively screened using a Proteome Profiler Array to identify cytokines differentially regulated in disease. Based on this screen and previous literature, ten cytokines (CXCL1, IP-10, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12 p40, IL-1RA, IL-1α and PDGF), lysozyme and lactoferrin were assayed in the Tanzanian cohort by multiplex cytokine assay and ELISA. Finally, CXCL1, IP-10, IL-8, lysozyme and lactoferrin were longitudinally profiled in the Gambian cohort by multiplex cytokine assay and ELISA. RESULTS In the Tanzanian cohort, IL-8 was significantly increased in those with clinically inapparent infection (p = 0.0086). Lysozyme, IL-10 and chemokines CXCL1 and IL-8 were increased in scarring (p = 0.016, 0.046, 0.016, and 0.037). CXCL1, IP-10, IL-8, lysozyme and lactoferrin were longitudinally profiled over the course of infection in a Gambian cohort study, with evidence of an inflammatory response both before, during and after detectable infection. CXCL1, IL-8 and IP-10 were higher in the second infection episode relative to the first (p = 0.0012, 0.044, and 0.04). CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that the ocular immune system responds prior to and continues to respond after detectable C. trachomatis infection, possibly due to a positive feedback loop inducing immune activation. Levels of CXC chemokines in successive infection episodes were increased, which may offer an explanation as to why repeated infections are a risk factor for scarring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber Barton
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nkoyo Faal
- Medical Research Council Gambia at LSHTM, Atlantic Boulevard, Fajara, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Athumani Ramadhani
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Tamsyn Derrick
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom
| | - Elias Mafuru
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Tara Mtuy
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Patrick Massae
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Aiweda Malissa
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Hassan Joof
- Medical Research Council Gambia at LSHTM, Atlantic Boulevard, Fajara, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Pateh Makalo
- Medical Research Council Gambia at LSHTM, Atlantic Boulevard, Fajara, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Ansumana Sillah
- National Eye Health Programme, Ministry of Health, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Anna Harte
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom
| | - Harry Pickering
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robin Bailey
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom
| | - David CW Mabey
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew J. Burton
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom
| | - Martin J. Holland
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom
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8
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Turman BJ, Darville T, O'Connell CM. Plasmid-mediated virulence in Chlamydia. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1251135. [PMID: 37662000 PMCID: PMC10469868 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1251135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis infection of ocular conjunctiva can lead to blindness, while infection of the female genital tract can lead to chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, and/or infertility. Conjunctival and fallopian tube inflammation and the resulting disease sequelae are attributed to immune responses induced by chlamydial infection at these mucosal sites. The conserved chlamydial plasmid has been implicated in enhancing infection, via improved host cell entry and exit, and accelerating innate inflammatory responses that lead to tissue damage. The chlamydial plasmid encodes eight open reading frames, three of which have been associated with virulence: a secreted protein, Pgp3, and putative transcriptional regulators, Pgp4 and Pgp5. Although Pgp3 is an important plasmid-encoded virulence factor, recent studies suggest that chlamydial plasmid-mediated virulence extends beyond the expression of Pgp3. In this review, we discuss studies of genital, ocular, and gastrointestinal infection with C. trachomatis or C. muridarum that shed light on the role of the plasmid in disease development, and the potential for tissue and species-specific differences in plasmid-mediated pathogenesis. We also review evidence that plasmid-associated inflammation can be independent of bacterial burden. The functions of each of the plasmid-encoded proteins and potential molecular mechanisms for their role(s) in chlamydial virulence are discussed. Although the understanding of plasmid-associated virulence has expanded within the last decade, many questions related to how and to what extent the plasmid influences chlamydial infectivity and inflammation remain unknown, particularly with respect to human infections. Elucidating the answers to these questions could improve our understanding of how chlamydia augment infection and inflammation to cause disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Breanna J. Turman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Toni Darville
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
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9
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Hu HB, Shang XP, Wu JG, Cai YL. The Immunologic Profiles of Kawasaki Disease Triggered by Mycoplasma pneumoniae Infection. Fetal Pediatr Pathol 2023; 42:376-384. [PMID: 36484731 DOI: 10.1080/15513815.2022.2154133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We compared the immunologic characteristics of mycoplasma pneumoniae-triggered Kawasaki disease (MP-KD) with Kawasaki disease (KD) not associated with mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP), with mycoplasma pneumoniae-triggered Henoch-Schönlein purpura (MP-HSP), and with healthy controls. METHODS Complement levels, cellular and humoral immunity were assessed in KD, in MP-KD, in MP-HSP, and in healthy children. RESULTS Of 622 children with KD, 74 had MP-KD. Complement C3 and CD4/CD8 ratio were significantly increased in MP-KD compared to KD. C3, C4, and the ratio of CD4/CD8 in the MP-KD group were higher than those in the MP-HSP group. IgA and CD56 were lower in the MP-KD group than the MP-HSP group. CONCLUSIONS Both C3 and polyclonal CD4+ T lymphocytes may be activated in the patients with MP-KD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Bo Hu
- Department of Laboratory, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiao-Peng Shang
- Department of Infectious Disease, The First People's Hospital of Guangshui, Guangshui, China
| | - Jian-Gang Wu
- Department of Laboratory, The First People's Hospital of Guangshui, Guangshui, China
| | - Ya-Ling Cai
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The First People's Hospital of Guangshui, Guangshui, China
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10
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Tian Q, Zhang T, Wang L, Ma J, Sun X. Gut dysbiosis contributes to chlamydial induction of hydrosalpinx in the upper genital tract. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1142283. [PMID: 37125189 PMCID: PMC10133527 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1142283] [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: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is one of the most common sexually infections that cause infertility, and its genital infection induces tubal adhesion and hydrosalpinx. Intravaginal Chlamydia muridarum infection in mice can induce hydrosalpinx in the upper genital tract and it has been used for studying C. trachomatis pathogenicity. DBA2/J strain mice were known to be resistant to the chlamydial induction of hydrosalpinx. In this study, we took advantage of this feature of DBA2/J mice to evaluate the role of antibiotic induced dysbiosis in chlamydial pathogenicity. Antibiotics (vancomycin and gentamicin) were orally administrated to induce dysbiosis in the gut of DBA2/J mice. The mice with or without antibiotic treatment were evaluated for gut and genital dysbiosis and then intravaginally challenged by C. muridarum. Chlamydial burden was tested and genital pathologies were evaluated. We found that oral antibiotics significantly enhanced chlamydial induction of genital hydrosalpinx. And the antibiotic treatment induced severe dysbiosis in the GI tract, including significantly reduced fecal DNA and increased ratios of firmicutes over bacteroidetes. The oral antibiotic did not alter chlamydial infection or microbiota in the mouse genital tracts. Our study showed that the oral antibiotics-enhanced hydrosalpinx correlated with dysbiosis in gut, providing the evidence for associating gut microbiome with chlamydial genital pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Tian
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory for Birth Defect Research and Prevention, Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
- *Correspondence: Qi Tian,
| | - Tianyuan Zhang
- Key Lab of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institute Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Tianyuan Zhang,
| | - Luying Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jingyue Ma
- Department of Dermatovenereology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xin Sun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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Shu M, Zhao L, Shi K, Lei W, Yang Y, Li Z. Chitosan particle stabilized Pickering emulsion/interleukin-12 adjuvant system for Pgp3 subunit vaccine elicits immune protection against genital chlamydial infection in mice. Front Immunol 2022; 13:989620. [PMID: 36505424 PMCID: PMC9727174 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.989620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Considering the shortcomings in current chlamydia infection control strategies, a major challenge in curtailing infection is the implementation of an effective vaccine. The immune response induced by C. trachomatis plasmid encoded Pgp3 was insufficient against C. trachomatis infection, which requires adjuvant applications to achieve the robust immune response induced by Pgp3. There is increasing promising in developing adjuvant systems relying on the delivery potential of Pickering emulsions and the immunomodulatory effects of interleukin (IL)-12. Here, owing to the polycationic nature, chitosan particles tended to absorb on the oil/water interphase to prepare the optimized chitosan particle-stabilized Pickering emulsion (CSPE), which was designed as a delivery system for Pgp3 protein and IL-12. Our results showed that the average droplets size of CSPE was 789.47 ± 44.26 nm after a series of optimizations and about 90% antigens may be absorbed by CSPE owing to the positively charged surface (33.2 ± 3mV), and CSPE promoted FITC-BSA proteins uptake by macrophages. Furthermore, as demonstrated by Pgp3-specific antibody production and cytokine secretion, CSPE/IL-12 system enhanced significantly higher levels of Pgp3-specific IgG, IgG1, IgG2a, sIgA and significant cytokines secretion of IFN-γ, IL-2, TNF-α, IL-4. Similarly, vaginal chlamydial shedding and hydrosalpinx pathologies were markedly reduced in mice immunized with Pgp3/CSPE/IL-12. Collectively, vaccination with Pgp3/CSPE/IL-12 regimen elicited robust cellular and humoral immune response in mice resulting in an obvious reduction of live chlamydia load in the vaginal and inflammatory pathologies in the oviduct, which further propells the development of vaccines against C. trachomatis infection.
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12
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Lorenzen E, Contreras V, Olsen AW, Andersen P, Desjardins D, Rosenkrands I, Juel HB, Delache B, Langlois S, Delaugerre C, Joubert C, Dereuddre-Bosquet N, Bébéar C, De Barbeyrac B, Touati A, McKay PF, Shattock RJ, Le Grand R, Follmann F, Dietrich J. Multi-component prime-boost Chlamydia trachomatis vaccination regimes induce antibody and T cell responses and accelerate clearance of infection in a non-human primate model. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1057375. [PMID: 36505459 PMCID: PMC9726737 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1057375] [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: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
It is of international priority to develop a vaccine against sexually transmitted Chlamydia trachomatis infections to combat the continued global spread of the infection. The optimal immunization strategy still remains to be fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to evaluate immunization strategies in a nonhuman primate (NHP) model. Cynomolgus macaques (Macaqua fascicularis) were immunized following different multi-component prime-boost immunization-schedules and subsequently challenged with C. trachomatis SvD in the lower genital tract. The immunization antigens included the recombinant protein antigen CTH522 adjuvanted with CAF01 or aluminium hydroxide, MOMP DNA antigen and MOMP vector antigens (HuAd5 MOMP and MVA MOMP). All antigen constructs were highly immunogenic raising significant systemic C. trachomatis-specific IgG responses. In particularly the CTH522 protein vaccinated groups raised a fast and strong pecificsIgG in serum. The mapping of specific B cell epitopes within the MOMP showed that all vaccinated groups, recognized epitopes near or within the variable domains (VD) of MOMP, with a consistent VD4 response in all animals. Furthermore, serum from all vaccinated groups were able to in vitro neutralize both SvD, SvE and SvF. Antibody responses were reflected on the vaginal and ocular mucosa, which showed detectable levels of IgG. Vaccines also induced C. trachomatis-specific cell mediated responses, as shown by in vitro stimulation and intracellular cytokine staining of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). In general, the protein (CTH522) vaccinated groups established a multifunctional CD4 T cell response, whereas the DNA and Vector vaccinated groups also established a CD8 T cells response. Following vaginal challenge with C. trachomatis SvD, several of the vaccinated groups showed accelerated clearance of the infection, but especially the DNA group, boosted with CAF01 adjuvanted CTH522 to achieve a balanced CD4/CD8 T cell response combined with an IgG response, showed accelerated clearance of the infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Lorenzen
- Chlamydia Vaccine Research, Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Vanessa Contreras
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives (CEA), Center for Immunology of Viral, Auto-immune, Hematological and Bacterial diseases (IMVA-HB/IDMIT), Fontenay-aux-Roses & Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Anja W. Olsen
- Chlamydia Vaccine Research, Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peter Andersen
- Novo Nordisk Foundation, Infectious Disease, Hellerup, Denmark
| | - Delphine Desjardins
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives (CEA), Center for Immunology of Viral, Auto-immune, Hematological and Bacterial diseases (IMVA-HB/IDMIT), Fontenay-aux-Roses & Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Ida Rosenkrands
- Chlamydia Vaccine Research, Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Helene Bæk Juel
- Novo Nordisk Foundation, Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Benoit Delache
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives (CEA), Center for Immunology of Viral, Auto-immune, Hematological and Bacterial diseases (IMVA-HB/IDMIT), Fontenay-aux-Roses & Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Sebastien Langlois
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives (CEA), Center for Immunology of Viral, Auto-immune, Hematological and Bacterial diseases (IMVA-HB/IDMIT), Fontenay-aux-Roses & Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Constance Delaugerre
- Laboratory of Virology, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Université de Paris, Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Christophe Joubert
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives (CEA), Center for Immunology of Viral, Auto-immune, Hematological and Bacterial diseases (IMVA-HB/IDMIT), Fontenay-aux-Roses & Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Nathalie Dereuddre-Bosquet
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives (CEA), Center for Immunology of Viral, Auto-immune, Hematological and Bacterial diseases (IMVA-HB/IDMIT), Fontenay-aux-Roses & Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Cécile Bébéar
- Bordeaux University Hopsital, Bacteriology Department, National Reference Centre for bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infections, Bordeaux, France
| | - Bertille De Barbeyrac
- Bordeaux University Hopsital, Bacteriology Department, National Reference Centre for bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infections, Bordeaux, France
| | - Arabella Touati
- Bordeaux University Hopsital, Bacteriology Department, National Reference Centre for bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infections, Bordeaux, France
| | - Paul F. McKay
- Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, St Mary’s Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robin J. Shattock
- Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, St Mary’s Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Roger Le Grand
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives (CEA), Center for Immunology of Viral, Auto-immune, Hematological and Bacterial diseases (IMVA-HB/IDMIT), Fontenay-aux-Roses & Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Frank Follmann
- Chlamydia Vaccine Research, Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jes Dietrich
- Chlamydia Vaccine Research, Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark,*Correspondence: Jes Dietrich,
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Xu Y, Wang J. Chlamydia
transmitting from the genital to gastrointestinal tract and inducing tubal disease: Double attack pattern. ZHONG NAN DA XUE XUE BAO. YI XUE BAN = JOURNAL OF CENTRAL SOUTH UNIVERSITY. MEDICAL SCIENCES 2022; 47:1275-1280. [PMID: 36411712 PMCID: PMC10930326 DOI: 10.11817/j.issn.1672-7347.2022.220023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis ( CT ) genital tract infection is insidious, and patients often have no conscious symptoms.Delayed treatment after infection can lead to serious complications. Chlamydia muridarum ( CM ) genital tract infection in female mice can simulate CT genital tract infection in women, which is an ideal model to investigate the pathogenesis of CT . CM plasmid protein pGP3, chromosomal protein TC0237/TC0668, CM -specific CD8 + T cells, TNF-α, and IL-13 can induce genital tract inflammation, CD4 + T cells are responsible for CM clearance. However, tubal inflammation persists after genital tract CM is removed. Genital tract CM can spread spontaneously in vivo and colonize the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, but the GI tract CM cannot reverse spread to the genital tract. The survival time and number of CM transmitted from genital tract to GI tract are positively correlated with the long-term lesion of oviduct, while the CM inoculated directly into the GI tract has no pathogenicity in both the genital and GI tract. The double attack pattern of Chlamydia -induced genital tract inflammatory lesions is as follows: CM infection of oviduct epithelial cells initiates the process of oviduct repair as the first attack. After genital CM spreads to the GI tract, activated chlamydia-specific CD8 + T cells are recruited to the genital tract and secreted pro-fibrotic cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-13. This process is called the second attack which transform tubal repair initiated by the first attack into long-term tubal fibrosis/hydrosalpinx. Elucidating the pathogenic mechanism of Chlamydia infection can provide new ideas for the development of Chlamydia vaccine, which is expected to solve the problems of infertility caused by repeated CT infection in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Xu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China.
| | - Jie Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China.
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14
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Borges ÁH, Follmann F, Dietrich J. Chlamydia trachomatis vaccine development - a view on the current challenges and how to move forward. Expert Rev Vaccines 2022; 21:1555-1567. [PMID: 36004386 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2022.2117694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common sexually transmitted bacterial pathogen in the world. A licensed vaccine is not yet available, but the first vaccines have entered clinical trials. AREAS COVERED : We describe the progress that has been made in our understanding of the type of immunity that a protective vaccine should induce, and the challenges that vaccine developers face. We also focus on the clinical development of a chlamydia vaccine. The first chlamydia vaccine candidate has now been tested in a clinical phase-I trial, and another phase-I trial is currently running. We discuss what it will take to continue this development and what future trial setups could look like. EXPERT OPINION The chlamydia field is coming of age and the first phase I clinical trial of a C. trachomatis vaccine has been successfully completed. We expect and hope that this will motivate various stakeholders to support further development of chlamydia vaccines in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Álvaro H Borges
- Statens Serum Institut, Department of Infectious Diseases Immunology, Kobenhavn, 2300 Denmark
| | | | - Jes Dietrich
- Statens Serum Institut, Department of Infectious Diseases Immunology, Kobenhavn, 2300 Denmark
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15
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Johnson RM, Asashima H, Mohanty S, Shaw AC. Combining Cellular Immunology With RNAseq to Identify Novel Chlamydia T-Cell Subset Signatures. J Infect Dis 2022; 225:2033-2042. [PMID: 35172331 PMCID: PMC9159333 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiac051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis serovars A-L cause important diseases of the eyes and reproductive tract by infecting epithelium lining those organs. A major hurdle for vaccine trials is finding a surrogate biomarker for protective immunity. Investigational data argues for T-cell biomarker(s) reflecting mucosal adaption, cytokine polarization, B-cell help, antibacterial effector mechanisms, or some combination thereof. A human investigation and 2 mouse studies link IL-13 to protection from infection/immunopathology. We performed RNAseq on T cells resident in spleens and genital tracts of naturally immune mice. CD4 signatures were consistent with helper function that differed by site including a genital tract-specific Fgl2 signal. The genital tract CD8 signature featured IL-10 and promotion of healing/scarring with a unique transcription of granzyme A. The RNAseq data was used to refine previously published CD4γ13 and CD8γ13 transcriptomes derived from protective T-cell clones, potentially identifying practicable T-cell subset signatures for assessing Chlamydia vaccine candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond M Johnson
- Correspondence: Raymond M. Johnson, MD, PhD, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, PO Box 208022, TAC s169, New Haven, CT 06520-8022 ()
| | - Hiromitsu Asashima
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Subhasis Mohanty
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Albert C Shaw
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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16
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Characterization of pathogenic CD8 + T cells in Chlamydia-infected OT1 mice. Infect Immun 2021; 90:e0045321. [PMID: 34724387 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00453-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is a leading infectious cause of infertility in women due to its induction of lasting pathology such as hydrosalpinx. Chlamydia muridarum induces mouse hydrosalpinx because C. muridarum can both invade tubal epithelia directly (as a 1st hit) and induce lymphocytes to promote hydrosalpinx indirectly (as a 2nd hit). In the current study, a critical role of CD8+ T cells in chlamydial induction of hydrosalpinx was validated in both wild type C57BL/6J and OT1 transgenic mice. OT1 mice failed to develop hydrosalpinx partially due to the failure of their lymphocytes to recognize chlamydial antigens. CD8+ T cells from naïve C57BL/6J rescued the recipient OT1 mice to develop hydrosalpinx when naïve CD8+ T cells were transferred at the time of infection with Chlamydia. However, when the transfer was delayed for 2 weeks or longer after the chlamydial infection, naïve CD8+ T cells no longer promoted hydrosalpinx. Nevertheless, Chlamydia-immunized CD8+ T cells still promoted significant hydrosalpinx in the recipient OT1 mice even when the transfer was delayed for 3 weeks. Thus, CD8+ T cells must be primed within 2 weeks after chlamydial infection to be pathogenic but once primed, they can promote hydrosalpinx for >3 weeks. However, Chlamydia-primed CD4+ T cells failed to promote chlamydial induction of pathology in OT1 mice. This study has optimized an OT1 mouse-based model for revealing the pathogenic mechanisms of Chlamydia-specific CD8+ T cells.
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17
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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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18
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Nagarajan UM, Cho C, Gyorke CE, Nagarajan S, Ezzell JA, Brochu H, Huntress I, Harrell E, Peng X. Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha-Induced Interleukin-1 Alpha Synthesis and Cell Death Is Increased in Mouse Epithelial Cells Infected With Chlamydia muridarum. J Infect Dis 2021; 224:S47-S55. [PMID: 34396406 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiab168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis-genital infection in women can be modeled in mice using Chlamydia muridarum. Using this model, it has been shown that the cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α and interleukin (IL)-1α lead to irreversible tissue damage in the oviducts. In this study, we investigated the contribution of TNFα on IL-1α synthesis in infected epithelial cells. We show that C muridarum infection enhanced TNFα-induced IL-1α expression and release in a mouse epithelial cell line. In addition to IL-1α, several TNFα-induced inflammatory genes were also highly induced, and infection enhanced TNF-induced cell death. In the mouse model of genital infection, oviducts from mice lacking the TNFα receptor displayed minimal staining for IL-1α compared with wild-type oviducts. Our results suggest TNFα and IL-1α enhance each other's downstream effects resulting in a hyperinflammatory response to chlamydial infection. We propose that biologics targeting TNF-induced IL-1α synthesis could be used to mitigate tissue damage during chlamydial infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uma M Nagarajan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Crescentia Cho
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Clare E Gyorke
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Shanmugam Nagarajan
- Department of Pathology and Labortaory Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - J Ashley Ezzell
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Hayden Brochu
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Ian Huntress
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Erin Harrell
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Xinxia Peng
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.,Bioinformatics Research Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
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Darville T. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Due to Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis: Immune Evasion Mechanisms and Pathogenic Disease Pathways. J Infect Dis 2021; 224:S39-S46. [PMID: 34396413 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiab031] [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: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) results from ascension of sexually transmitted pathogens from the lower genital tract to the uterus and/or fallopian tubes in women, with potential spread to neighboring pelvic organs. Patients may present acutely with lower abdominal or pelvic pain and pelvic organ tenderness. Many have subtle symptoms or are asymptomatic and present later with tubal factor infertility, ectopic pregnancy, or chronic pelvic pain. Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis are the 2 most commonly recognized PID pathogens. Their ability to survive within host epithelial cells and neutrophils highlights a need for T-cell-mediated production of interferon γ in protection. Data indicate that for both pathogens, antibody can accelerate clearance by enhancing opsonophagocytosis and bacterial killing when interferon γ is present. A study of women with N. gonorrhoeae- and/or C. trachomatis-induced PID with histologic endometritis revealed activation of myeloid cell, cell death, and innate inflammatory pathways in conjunction with dampening of T-cell activation pathways. These findings are supported by multiple studies in mouse models of monoinfection with N. gonorrhoeae or Chlamydia spp. Both pathogens exert multiple mechanisms of immune evasion that benefit themselves and each other at the expense of the host. However, similarities in host immune mechanisms that defend against these 2 bacterial pathogens instill optimism for the prospects of a combined vaccine for prevention of PID and infections in both women and men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toni Darville
- Departments of Pediatrics and Microbiology & Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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20
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Gastrointestinal Chlamydia-induced CD8 + T cells promote chlamydial pathogenicity in the female upper genital tract. Infect Immun 2021; 89:e0020521. [PMID: 34227838 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00205-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia is known to both ascend to the upper genital tract and spread to the gastrointestinal tract following intravaginal inoculation. The gastrointestinal Chlamydia was recently reported to promote chlamydial pathogenicity in the genital tract since mice intravaginally inoculated with an attenuated Chlamydia, which alone failed to develop pathology in the genital tract, were restored to develop hydrosalpinx by intragastric co-inoculation with wild type Chlamydia. Gastrointestinal Chlamydia promoted hydrosalpinx via an indirect mechanism since Chlamydia in the gut did not directly spread to the genital tract lumen. In the current study, we further investigated the role of CD8+ T cells in the promotion of hydrosalpinx by gastrointestinal Chlamydia. First, we confirmed that intragastric co-inoculation with wild type Chlamydia promoted hydrosalpinx in mice that were inoculated with an attenuated Chlamydia in the genital tract one week earlier. Second, the promotion of hydrosalpinx by intragastrically co-inoculated Chlamydia was blocked by depleting CD8+ T cells. Third, adoptive transfer of the gastrointestinal Chlamydia-induced CD8+ T cells was sufficient for promoting hydrosalpinx in mice that were intravaginally inoculated with an attenuated Chlamydia. These observations have demonstrated that CD8+ T cells induced by gastrointestinal Chlamydia are both necessary and sufficient for promoting hydrosalpinx in the genital tract. The study has laid a foundation for further revealing the mechanisms by which Chlamydia-induced T lymphocyte responses (as a 2nd hit) promote hydrosalpinx in mice with genital Chlamydia-triggered tubal injury (as a 1st hit), a continuing effort in testing the two-hit hypothesis as a chlamydial pathogenic mechanism.
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21
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Zhong G. Chlamydia overcomes multiple gastrointestinal barriers to achieve long-lasting colonization. Trends Microbiol 2021; 29:1004-1012. [PMID: 33865675 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2021.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is frequently detected in the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract despite its leading role in sexually transmitted bacterial infections in the genital tract. Chlamydia muridarum (CM), a model pathogen for investigating CT pathogenesis in the genital tract, can also colonize the mouse GI tract for long periods. Genital-tract mutants of CM no longer colonize the GI tract. The mutants lacking plasmid functions are more defective in colonizing the upper GI tract while certain chromosomal gene-deficient mutants are more defective in the lower GI tract, suggesting that Chlamydia may use the plasmid for promoting its spread to the large intestine while using the chromosome-encoded factors for maintaining its colonization in the large intestine. The plasmid-encoded Pgp3 is critical for Chlamydia to resist the acid barrier in the stomach and to overcome a CD4+ T cell barrier in the small intestine. On reaching the large intestine, Pgp3 is no longer required. Instead, the chromosome-encoded open reading frames TC0237/TC0668 become essential for Chlamydia to evade the group 3-like innate lymphoid cell-secreted interferon (IFN)γ in the large intestine. These findings are important for exploring the medical significance of chlamydial colonization in the gut and for understanding the mechanisms of chlamydial pathogenicity in the genital tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangming Zhong
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.
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Poli-Neto OB, Carlos D, Favaretto A, Rosa-E-Silva JC, Meola J, Tiezzi D. Eutopic endometrium from women with endometriosis and chlamydial endometritis share immunological cell types and DNA repair imbalance: A transcriptome meta-analytical perspective. J Reprod Immunol 2021; 145:103307. [PMID: 33725527 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2021.103307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to identify the key similarities between the eutopic endometrium of women with endometriosis and chlamydia-induced endometritis taking into account tissue microenvironment heterogeneity, transcript gene profile, and enriched pathways. A meta-analysis of whole transcriptome microarrays was performed using publicly available data, including samples containing both glandular and stromal endometrial components. Control samples were obtained from women without any reported pathological condition. Only samples obtained during the proliferative menstrual phase were included. Cellular tissue heterogeneity was predicted using a method that integrates gene set enrichment and deconvolution approaches. The batch effect was estimated by principal variant component analysis and removed using an empirical Bayes method. Differentially expressed genes were identified using an adjusted p-value < 0.05 and fold change = 1.5. The protein-protein interaction network was built using the STRING database and interaction score over 400. The Molecular Signatures Database was used to analyse the functional enrichment analysis. Both conditions showed similarities in cell types in the microenvironment, particularly CD4+ and CD8+ Tem cells, NKT cells, Th2 cells, basophils, and eosinophils. With regards to the regulation of cellular senescence and DNA integrity/damage checkpoint, which are commonly enriched pathways, 21 genes were down-regulated and directly related to DNA repair. Compared to the endometriosis samples, some chlamydial endometritis samples presented a lack of enriched immune pathways. Our results suggest that both conditions show similar distributions of microenvironment cell types, the downregulation of genes involved in DNA repair and cell cycle control, and pathways involved in immune response evasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omero Benedicto Poli-Neto
- Gynecological and Obstetrics Department, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14049-900, SP, Brazil.
| | - Daniela Carlos
- Biochemistry and Immunology Department, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Aureo Favaretto
- Gynecological and Obstetrics Department, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14049-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Julio Cesar Rosa-E-Silva
- Gynecological and Obstetrics Department, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14049-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Juliana Meola
- Gynecological and Obstetrics Department, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14049-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Daniel Tiezzi
- Gynecological and Obstetrics Department, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14049-900, SP, Brazil
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23
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He C, Xu Y, Huo Z, Wang J, Jia T, Li XD, Zhong G. Regulation of Chlamydia spreading from the small intestine to the large intestine via an immunological barrier. Immunol Cell Biol 2021; 99:611-621. [PMID: 33565158 DOI: 10.1111/imcb.12446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The obligate intracellular bacterium Chlamydia is a genital tract pathogen that can also colonize the gastrointestinal tract for long periods. The long-lasting colonization is dependent on chlamydial spreading from the small intestine to the large intestine. We previously reported that a mutant Chlamydia was able to activate an intestinal barrier for blocking its own spreading to the large intestine. In the current study, we used the mutant Chlamydia colonization model to confirm the intestinal barrier function and further to determine the immunological basis of the barrier with gene-deficient mice. Recombination activating gene 1-/- mice failed to block the mutant Chlamydia spreading, while mice deficient in toll-like receptors, myeloid differentiation primary response 88 or stimulator of interferon genes still blocked the spreading, suggesting that the intestinal barrier function is dependent on lymphocytes that express antigen receptors. Mice deficient in CD4, but not CD8 nor μ chain failed to prevent the chlamydial spreading, indicating a protective role of CD4+ cells in the intestinal barrier. Consistently, adoptive transfer of CD4+ T cells reconstituted the intestinal barrier in CD4-/- mice. More importantly, CD4+ but not CD8+ T cells nor B cells restored the intestinal barrier function in recombination activating gene 1-/- mice. Thus, CD4+ T cells are necessary and sufficient for maintaining the intestinal barrier function, indicating that the spread of an intracellular bacterium from the small intestine to the large intestine is regulated by an immunological barrier. This study has also laid a foundation for further illuminating the mechanisms by which a CD4+ T cell-dependent intestinal barrier regulates bacterial spreading in the gut.
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Affiliation(s)
- Conghui He
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.,Department of Immunology, Medical College of Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou, Hebei, China
| | - Ying Xu
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.,Department of Immunology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha City, Hunan, China
| | - Zhi Huo
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.,Department of Immunology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha City, Hunan, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Department of Immunology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha City, Hunan, China
| | - Tianjun Jia
- Department of Immunology, Medical College of Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou, Hebei, China
| | - Xiao-Dong Li
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Guangming Zhong
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
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24
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Dockterman J, Coers J. Immunopathogenesis of genital Chlamydia infection: insights from mouse models. Pathog Dis 2021; 79:6128668. [PMID: 33538819 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftab012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydiae are pathogenic intracellular bacteria that cause a wide variety of diseases throughout the globe, affecting the eye, lung, coronary arteries and female genital tract. Rather than by direct cellular toxicity, Chlamydia infection generally causes pathology by inducing fibrosis and scarring that is largely mediated by host inflammation. While a robust immune response is required for clearance of the infection, certain elements of that immune response may also damage infected tissue, leading to, in the case of female genital infection, disease sequelae such as pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility and ectopic pregnancy. It has become increasingly clear that the components of the immune system that destroy bacteria and those that cause pathology only partially overlap. In the ongoing quest for a vaccine that prevents Chlamydia-induced disease, it is important to target mechanisms that can achieve protective immunity while preventing mechanisms that damage tissue. This review focuses on mouse models of genital Chlamydia infection and synthesizes recent studies to generate a comprehensive model for immunity in the murine female genital tract, clarifying the respective contributions of various branches of innate and adaptive immunity to both host protection and pathogenic genital scarring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Dockterman
- Department of Immunology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 22710, USA
| | - Jörn Coers
- Department of Immunology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 22710, USA.,Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 22710, USA
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25
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Chetty A, Omondi MA, Butters C, Smith KA, Katawa G, Ritter M, Layland L, Horsnell W. Impact of Helminth Infections on Female Reproductive Health and Associated Diseases. Front Immunol 2020; 11:577516. [PMID: 33329545 PMCID: PMC7719634 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.577516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
A growing body of knowledge exists on the influence of helminth infections on allergies and unrelated infections in the lung and gastrointestinal (GI) mucosa. However, the bystander effects of helminth infections on the female genital mucosa and reproductive health is understudied but important considering the high prevalence of helminth exposure and sexually transmitted infections in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In this review, we explore current knowledge about the direct and systemic effects of helminth infections on unrelated diseases. We summarize host disease-controlling immunity of important sexually transmitted infections and introduce the limited knowledge of how helminths infections directly cause pathology to female reproductive tract (FRT), alter susceptibility to sexually transmitted infections and reproduction. We also review work by others on type 2 immunity in the FRT and hypothesize how these insights may guide future work to help understand how helminths alter FRT health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alisha Chetty
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine and Division of Immunology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Millicent A Omondi
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine and Division of Immunology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Claire Butters
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine and Division of Immunology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Katherine Ann Smith
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine and Division of Immunology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Gnatoulma Katawa
- Ecole Supérieure des Techniques Biologiques et Alimentaires, Université de Lomé, Lomé, Togo
| | - Manuel Ritter
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Laura Layland
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - William Horsnell
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine and Division of Immunology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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26
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Gyorke CE, Kollipara A, Allen J, Zhang Y, Ezzell JA, Darville T, Montgomery SA, Nagarajan UM. IL-1α Is Essential for Oviduct Pathology during Genital Chlamydial Infection in Mice. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 205:3037-3049. [PMID: 33087404 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2000600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis infection of the female genital tract can lead to irreversible fallopian tube scarring. In the mouse model of genital infection using Chlamydia muridarum, IL-1R signaling plays a critical role in oviduct tissue damage. In this study, we investigated the pathologic role of IL-1α, one of the two proinflammatory cytokines that bind to IL-1R. Il1a-/- mice infected with C. muridarum cleared infection at their cervix at the same rate as wild-type (WT) mice, but were significantly protected from end point oviduct damage and fibrosis. The contribution of IL-1α to oviduct pathology was more dramatic than observed in mice deficient for IL-1β. Although chlamydial burden was similar in WT and Il1a-/- oviduct during peak days of infection, levels of IL-1β, IL-6, CSF3, and CXCL2 were reduced in Il1a-/- oviduct lysates. During infection, Il1a-/- oviducts and uterine horns exhibited reduced neutrophil infiltration, and this reduction persisted after the infection resolved. The absence of IL-1α did not compromise CD4 T cell recruitment or function during primary or secondary chlamydial infection. IL-1α is expressed predominantly by luminal cells of the genital tract in response to infection, and low levels of expression persisted after the infection cleared. Ab-mediated depletion of IL-1α in WT mice prevented infection-induced oviduct damage, further supporting a key role for IL-1α in oviduct pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare E Gyorke
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - Avinash Kollipara
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599.,Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - John Allen
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - Yugen Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - J Ashley Ezzell
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599; and.,Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - Toni Darville
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599.,Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - Stephanie A Montgomery
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - Uma M Nagarajan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599; .,Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
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27
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Lundy SR, Richardson S, Ramsey A, Ellerson D, Fengxia Y, Onyeabor S, Kirlin W, Thompson W, Black CM, DeBruyne JP, Davidson AJ, Immergluck LC, Blas-Machado U, Eko FO, Igietseme JU, He Q, Omosun YO. Shift work influences the outcomes of Chlamydia infection and pathogenesis. Sci Rep 2020; 10:15389. [PMID: 32958779 PMCID: PMC7505842 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-72409-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Shift work, performed by approximately 21 million Americans, is irregular or unusual work schedule hours occurring after 6:00 pm. Shift work has been shown to disrupt circadian rhythms and is associated with several adverse health outcomes and chronic diseases such as cancer, gastrointestinal and psychiatric diseases and disorders. It is unclear if shift work influences the complications associated with certain infectious agents, such as pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and tubal factor infertility resulting from genital chlamydial infection. We used an Environmental circadian disruption (ECD) model mimicking circadian disruption occurring during shift work, where mice had a 6-h advance in the normal light/dark cycle (LD) every week for a month. Control group mice were housed under normal 12/12 LD cycle. Our hypothesis was that compared to controls, mice that had their circadian rhythms disrupted in this ECD model will have a higher Chlamydia load, more pathology and decreased fertility rate following Chlamydia infection. Results showed that, compared to controls, mice that had their circadian rhythms disrupted (ECD) had higher Chlamydia loads, more tissue alterations or lesions, and lower fertility rate associated with chlamydial infection. Also, infected ECD mice elicited higher proinflammatory cytokines compared to mice under normal 12/12 LD cycle. These results imply that there might be an association between shift work and the increased likelihood of developing more severe disease from Chlamydia infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie R Lundy
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry & Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, 720 Westview Drive, S.W., Atlanta, GA, 30310, USA
| | - Shakyra Richardson
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry & Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, 720 Westview Drive, S.W., Atlanta, GA, 30310, USA
| | - Anne Ramsey
- Department of Neurobiology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30310, USA
| | - Debra Ellerson
- Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA, 30333, USA
| | - Yan Fengxia
- Department of Community Health and Preventive Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30310, USA
| | - Sunny Onyeabor
- Department of Community Health and Preventive Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30310, USA
| | - Ward Kirlin
- Department of Pharmacology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30310, USA
| | - Winston Thompson
- Department of Physiology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30310, USA
| | - Carolyn M Black
- Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA, 30333, USA
| | - Jason P DeBruyne
- Department of Pharmacology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30310, USA
| | - Alec J Davidson
- Department of Neurobiology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30310, USA
| | - Lilly C Immergluck
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry & Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, 720 Westview Drive, S.W., Atlanta, GA, 30310, USA
- Pediatric Clinical & Translational Research Unit, Clinical Research Center, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30310, USA
| | - Uriel Blas-Machado
- Athens Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Francis O Eko
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry & Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, 720 Westview Drive, S.W., Atlanta, GA, 30310, USA
| | - Joseph U Igietseme
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry & Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, 720 Westview Drive, S.W., Atlanta, GA, 30310, USA
- Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA, 30333, USA
| | - Qing He
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry & Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, 720 Westview Drive, S.W., Atlanta, GA, 30310, USA
- Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA, 30333, USA
| | - Yusuf O Omosun
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry & Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, 720 Westview Drive, S.W., Atlanta, GA, 30310, USA.
- Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA, 30333, USA.
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28
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Xie L, He C, Chen J, Tang L, Zhou Z, Zhong G. Suppression of Chlamydial Pathogenicity by Nonspecific CD8 + T Lymphocytes. Infect Immun 2020; 88:e00315-20. [PMID: 32747602 PMCID: PMC7504968 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00315-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis, a leading infectious cause of tubal infertility, induces upper genital tract pathology, such as hydrosalpinx, which can be modeled with Chlamydia muridarum infection in mice. Following C. muridarum inoculation, wild-type mice develop robust hydrosalpinx, but OT1 mice fail to do so because their T cell receptors are engineered to recognize a single ovalbumin epitope (OVA457-462). These observations have demonstrated a critical role of Chlamydia-specific T cells in chlamydial pathogenicity. In the current study, we have also found that OT1 mice can actively inhibit chlamydial pathogenicity. First, depletion of CD8+ T cells from OT1 mice led to the induction of significant hydrosalpinx by Chlamydia, indicating that CD8+ T cells are necessary to inhibit chlamydial pathogenicity. Second, adoptive transfer of CD8+ T cells from OT1 mice to CD8 knockout mice significantly reduced chlamydial induction of hydrosalpinx, demonstrating that OT1 CD8+ T cells are sufficient for attenuating chlamydial pathogenicity in CD8 knockout mice. Finally, CD8+ T cells from OT1 mice also significantly inhibited hydrosalpinx development in wild-type mice following an intravaginal inoculation with Chlamydia Since T cells in OT1 mice are engineered to recognize only the OVA457-462 epitope, the above observations have demonstrated a chlamydial antigen-independent immune mechanism for regulating chlamydial pathogenicity. Further characterization of this mechanism may provide information for developing strategies to reduce infertility-causing pathology induced by infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingxiang Xie
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
- The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Conghui He
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Jianlin Chen
- The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Lingli Tang
- The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhiguang Zhou
- The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Guangming Zhong
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
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29
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Keb G, Fields KA. An Ancient Molecular Arms Race: Chlamydia vs. Membrane Attack Complex/Perforin (MACPF) Domain Proteins. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1490. [PMID: 32760406 PMCID: PMC7371996 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Dynamic interactions that govern the balance between host and pathogen determine the outcome of infection and are shaped by evolutionary pressures. Eukaryotic hosts have evolved elaborate and formidable defense mechanisms that provide the basis for innate and adaptive immunity. Proteins containing a membrane attack complex/Perforin (MACPF) domain represent an important class of immune effectors. These pore-forming proteins induce cell killing by targeting microbial or host membranes. Intracellular bacteria can be shielded from MACPF-mediated killing, and Chlamydia spp. represent a successful paradigm of obligate intracellular parasitism. Ancestors of present-day Chlamydia likely originated at evolutionary times that correlated with or preceded many host defense pathways. We discuss the current knowledge regarding how chlamydiae interact with the MACPF proteins Complement C9, Perforin-1, and Perforin-2. Current evidence indicates a degree of resistance by Chlamydia to MACPF effector mechanisms. In fact, chlamydiae have acquired and adapted their own MACPF-domain protein to facilitate infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle Keb
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Kenneth A Fields
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, United States
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30
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NOD1/NOD2 and RIP2 Regulate Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Induced Inflammation during Chlamydia Infection. mBio 2020; 11:mBio.00979-20. [PMID: 32487756 PMCID: PMC7267884 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00979-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the initiation of the inflammatory response during Chlamydia infection is of public health importance given the impact of this disease on young women in the United States. Many young women are chronically infected with Chlamydia but are asymptomatic and therefore do not seek treatment, leaving them at risk of long-term reproductive harm due to inflammation in response to infection. Our manuscript explores the role of the endoplasmic reticulum stress response pathway initiated by an innate receptor in the development of this inflammation. The inflammatory response to Chlamydia infection is likely to be multifactorial and involve a variety of ligand-dependent and -independent recognition pathways. We previously reported the presence of NOD1/NOD2-dependent endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-induced inflammation during Chlamydia muridarum infection in vitro, but the relevance of this finding to an in vivo context is unclear. Here, we examined the ER stress response to in vivo Chlamydia infection. The induction of interleukin 6 (IL-6) production after systemic Chlamydia infection correlated with expression of ER stress response genes. Furthermore, when tauroursodeoxycholate (TUDCA) was used to inhibit the ER stress response, an increased bacterial burden was detected, suggesting that ER stress-driven inflammation can contribute to systemic bacterial clearance. Mice lacking both NOD1 and NOD2 or RIP2 exhibited slightly higher systemic bacterial burdens after infection with Chlamydia. Overall, these data suggest a model where RIP2 and NOD1/NOD2 proteins link ER stress responses with the induction of Chlamydia-specific inflammatory responses.
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31
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Chlamydia Deficient in Plasmid-Encoded pGP3 Is Prevented from Spreading to Large Intestine. Infect Immun 2020; 88:IAI.00120-20. [PMID: 32205401 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00120-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The cryptic plasmid pCM is critical for chlamydial colonization in the gastrointestinal tract. Nevertheless, orally inoculated plasmid-free Chlamydia sp. was still able to colonize the gut. Surprisingly, orally inoculated Chlamydia sp. deficient in only plasmid-encoded pGP3 was no longer able to colonize the gut. A comparison of live organism recoveries from individual gastrointestinal tissues revealed that pGP3-deficient Chlamydia sp. survived significantly better than plasmid-free Chlamydia sp. in small intestinal tissues. However, the small intestinal pGP3-deficient Chlamydia sp. failed to reach the large intestine, explaining the lack of live pGP3-deficient Chlamydia sp. in rectal swabs following an oral inoculation. Interestingly, pGP3-deficient Chlamydia sp. was able to colonize the colon following an intracolon inoculation, suggesting that pGP3-deficient Chlamydia sp. might be prevented from spreading from the small intestine to the large intestine. This hypothesis is supported by the finding that following an intrajejunal inoculation that bypasses the gastric barrier, pGP3-deficient Chlamydia sp. still failed to reach the large intestine, although similarly inoculated plasmid-free Chlamydia sp. was able to do so. Interestingly, when both types of organisms were intrajejunally coinoculated into the same mouse small intestine, plasmid-free Chlamydia sp. was no longer able to spread to the large intestine, suggesting that pGP3-deficient Chlamydia sp. might be able to activate an intestinal resistance for regulating Chlamydia sp. spreading. Thus, the current study has not only provided evidence for reconciling a previously identified conflicting phenotype but also revealed a potential intestinal resistance to chlamydial spreading. Efforts are under way to further define the mechanism of the putative intestinal resistance.
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32
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Modulation of T helper 1 and T helper 2 immune balance in a murine stress model during Chlamydia muridarum genital infection. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0226539. [PMID: 32413046 PMCID: PMC7228091 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
A murine model to study the effect of cold-induced stress (CIS) on Chlamydia muridarum genital infection and immune response has been developed in our laboratory. Previous results in the lab show that CIS increases the intensity of chlamydia genital infection, but little is known about the effects and mechanisms of CIS on the differentiation and activities of CD4+ T cell subpopulations and bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs). The factors that regulate the production of T helper 1 (Th1) or T helper 2 (Th2) cytokines are not well defined. In this study, we examined whether CIS modulates the expressions of beta-adrenergic receptor (β-AR), transcription factors, hallmark cytokines of Th1 and Th2, and differentiation of BMDCs during C. muridarum genital infection in the murine model. Our results show that the mRNA level of the beta2-adrenergic receptor (β2-AR) compared to β1-AR and β3-AR was high in the mixed populations of CD4+ T cells and BMDCs. Furthermore, we observed decreased expression of T-bet, low level of Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) production, increased expression of GATA-3, and Interleukin-4 (IL-4) production in CD4+ T cells of stressed mice. Exposure of BMDCs to Fenoterol, β2-AR agonist, or ICI118,551, β2-AR antagonist, revealed significant β2-AR stimulation or inhibition, respectively, in stressed mice. Moreover, co-culturing of mature BMDCs and naïve CD4+ T cells increased the production of IL-4, IL-10, L-17, and IL-23 cytokines, suggesting that stimulation of β2-AR leads to the increased production of Th2 cytokines. Overall, our results show for the first time that CIS promotes the switching from a Th1 to Th2 cytokine environment. This was evidenced in the murine stress model by the overexpression of GATA-3 concurrent with elevated IL-4 production, reduced T-bet expression, and IFN-γ secretion.
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陈 曦, 刘 璐, 张 旭, 陆 春, 陈 利, 全 淑, 陈 丽. [Role of tumor necrosis factor-α in Chlamydia Muridarum infection in the urogenital tract of mice]. NAN FANG YI KE DA XUE XUE BAO = JOURNAL OF SOUTHERN MEDICAL UNIVERSITY 2020; 40:388-393. [PMID: 32376576 PMCID: PMC7167326 DOI: 10.12122/j.issn.1673-4254.2020.03.17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore the role of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in immune response to urogenital chlamydial infection and urogenital pathology in mice. METHODS Fifteen female wild-type (WT) C57BL/6J mice and 15 TNF-α receptor knockout (TNF-αR KO) mice were inoculated intravaginally with 1×104 inclusion forming units (IFUs) of live C. muridarum. At 56 days after the first inoculation, 8 mice from each group were subjected to a second inoculation at the same dose. Vaginal swabs were taken every 3 or 4 days to detect the number of inclusion bodies of chlamydia. On day 80 after the first inoculation, the mice were euthanized and peritoneal macrophages were collected and the vaginal tract and spleen were dissected. The pathologies in the fallopian tube and the uterine horn were observed and the severity of inflammatory cell infiltration and lumen dilatation were semi-quantitatively scored. The levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, IL-1α, IL-1β and TNF-α in the supernatant of the peritoneal macrophage were detected. Spleen cell suspension was prepared, and after stimulation with chlamydia EB in vitro, the levels of the cytokines including IL-4, IL-5, IL-17 and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) were determined in the cells. RESULTS The clearance rate of Chlamydia from the urogenital tract was similar between TNF-αR KO mice and WT mice regardless of the primary or second infection. The severity of inflammation in the fallopian tube and the uterine horn did not differ significantly between the two groups, but TNF-αR KO mice had significantly milder dilation of the fallopian tubes (P < 0.05). The peritoneal macrophages from TNF-αR KO mice produced a significantly higher level of TNF-α than those from WT mice (P < 0.05); the spleen cells from the two groups both produced high levels of IFN-γ, but IL-17 production by the spleen cells was significantly lower in TNF-αR KO mice than in WT mice (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS TNF-α is not associated with protective immune response against C. muridarum infection, and can worsen the inflammatory damages of the urogenital tract caused by C. muridarum in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- 曦 陈
- 南华大学公共卫生学院,湖南 衡阳 421001School of Public Health, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
- 衡阳市健康危害因子检验检疫新技术研究重点实验室,湖南 衡阳 421001Hengyang Key Laboratory for Health Hazard Factors Inspection and Quarantine, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - 璐瑶 刘
- 南华大学公共卫生学院,湖南 衡阳 421001School of Public Health, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
- 衡阳市健康危害因子检验检疫新技术研究重点实验室,湖南 衡阳 421001Hengyang Key Laboratory for Health Hazard Factors Inspection and Quarantine, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - 旭 张
- 南华大学公共卫生学院,湖南 衡阳 421001School of Public Health, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
- 衡阳市健康危害因子检验检疫新技术研究重点实验室,湖南 衡阳 421001Hengyang Key Laboratory for Health Hazard Factors Inspection and Quarantine, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - 春雪 陆
- 南华大学医学院,湖南 衡阳 421001School of Medical Sciences, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - 利 陈
- 南华大学公共卫生学院,湖南 衡阳 421001School of Public Health, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
- 衡阳市健康危害因子检验检疫新技术研究重点实验室,湖南 衡阳 421001Hengyang Key Laboratory for Health Hazard Factors Inspection and Quarantine, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - 淑芬 全
- 南华大学公共卫生学院,湖南 衡阳 421001School of Public Health, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
- 衡阳市健康危害因子检验检疫新技术研究重点实验室,湖南 衡阳 421001Hengyang Key Laboratory for Health Hazard Factors Inspection and Quarantine, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - 丽丽 陈
- 南华大学公共卫生学院,湖南 衡阳 421001School of Public Health, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
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Gastrointestinal Coinfection Promotes Chlamydial Pathogenicity in the Genital Tract. Infect Immun 2020; 88:IAI.00905-19. [PMID: 31988173 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00905-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Sexually transmitted Chlamydia, which can cause fibrotic pathology in women's genital tracts, is also frequently detected in the gastrointestinal tract. However, the medical significance of the gastrointestinal Chlamydia remains unclear. A murine Chlamydia readily spreads from the mouse genital tract to the gastrointestinal tract while inducing oviduct fibrotic blockage or hydrosalpinx. We previously proposed a two-hit model in which the mouse gastrointestinal Chlamydia might induce the second hit to promote genital tract pathology, and we are now providing experimental evidence for testing the hypothesis. First, chlamydial mutants that are attenuated in inducing hydrosalpinx in the genital tract also reduce their colonization in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to a better correlation of chlamydial induction of hydrosalpinx with chlamydial colonization in the gastrointestinal tract than in the genital tract. Second, intragastric coinoculation with a wild-type Chlamydia rescued an attenuated Chlamydia mutant to induce hydrosalpinx, while the chlamydial mutant infection in the genital tract alone was unable to induce any significant hydrosalpinx. Finally, the coinoculated gastrointestinal Chlamydia failed to directly spread to the genital tract lumen, suggesting that gastrointestinal Chlamydia may promote genital pathology via an indirect mechanism. Thus, we have demonstrated a significant role of gastrointestinal Chlamydia in promoting pathology in the genital tract possibly via an indirect mechanism. This study provides a novel direction/dimension for further investigating chlamydial pathogenic mechanisms.
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35
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The Cryptic Plasmid Improves Chlamydia Fitness in Different Regions of the Gastrointestinal Tract. Infect Immun 2020; 88:IAI.00860-19. [PMID: 31871102 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00860-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The cryptic plasmid is important for chlamydial colonization in the gastrointestinal tract. We used a combination of intragastric, intrajejunal, and intracolon inoculations to reveal the impact of the plasmid on chlamydial colonization in distinct regions of gastrointestinal tract. Following an intragastric inoculation, the plasmid significantly improved chlamydial colonization. At the tissue level, plasmid-positive Chlamydia produced infectious progenies throughout gastrointestinal tract. However, to our surprise, plasmid-deficient Chlamydia failed to produce infectious progenies in small intestine, although infectious progenies were eventually detected in large intestine, indicating a critical role of the plasmid in chlamydial differentiation into infectious particles in small intestine. The noninfectious status may represent persistent infection, since Chlamydia genomes proliferated in the same tissues. Following an intrajejunal inoculation that bypasses the gastric barrier, plasmid-deficient Chlamydia produced infectious progenies in small intestine but was 530-fold less infectious than plasmid-positive Chlamydia, suggesting that (i) the noninfectious status developed after intragastric inoculation might be induced by a combination of gastric and intestinal effectors and (ii) chlamydial colonization in small intestine was highly dependent on plasmid. Finally, following an intracolon inoculation, the dependence of chlamydial colonization on plasmid increased over time. Thus, we have demonstrated that the plasmid may be able to improve chlamydial fitness in different gut regions via different mechanisms, which has laid a foundation to further reveal the specific mechanisms.
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36
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Zhong W, Dong L, Poston TB, Darville T, Spracklen CN, Wu D, Mohlke KL, Li Y, Li Q, Zheng X. Inferring Regulatory Networks From Mixed Observational Data Using Directed Acyclic Graphs. Front Genet 2020; 11:8. [PMID: 32127796 PMCID: PMC7038820 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.00008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Construction of regulatory networks using cross-sectional expression profiling of genes is desired, but challenging. The Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) provides a general framework to infer causal effects from observational data. However, most existing DAG methods assume that all nodes follow the same type of distribution, which prohibit a joint modeling of continuous gene expression and categorical variables. We present a new mixed DAG (mDAG) algorithm to infer the regulatory pathway from mixed observational data containing both continuous variables (e.g. expression of genes) and categorical variables (e.g. categorical phenotypes or single nucleotide polymorphisms). Our method can identify upstream causal factors and downstream effectors closely linked to a variable and generate hypotheses for causal direction of regulatory pathways. We propose a new permutation method to test the conditional independence of variables of mixed types, which is the key for mDAG. We also utilize an L1 regularization in mDAG to ensure it can recover a large sparse DAG with limited sample size. We demonstrate through extensive simulations that mDAG outperforms two well-known methods in recovering the true underlying DAG. We apply mDAG to a cross-sectional immunological study of Chlamydia trachomatis infection and successfully infer the regularity network of cytokines. We also apply mDAG to a large cohort study, generating sensible mechanistic hypotheses underlying plasma adiponectin level. The R package mDAG is publicly available from CRAN at https://CRAN.R-project.org/package=mDAG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wujuan Zhong
- Department of Biostatistics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Li Dong
- Department of Biostatistics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Taylor B Poston
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Toni Darville
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Cassandra N Spracklen
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Di Wu
- Department of Biostatistics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.,Department of Oral and Craniofacial Health Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Karen L Mohlke
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Yun Li
- Department of Biostatistics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.,Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Quefeng Li
- Department of Biostatistics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Xiaojing Zheng
- Department of Biostatistics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
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Howe SE, Shillova N, Konjufca V. Dissemination of Chlamydia from the reproductive tract to the gastro-intestinal tract occurs in stages and relies on Chlamydia transport by host cells. PLoS Pathog 2019; 15:e1008207. [PMID: 31790512 PMCID: PMC6907867 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [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: 08/23/2019] [Revised: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is a Gram-negative bacterial pathogen and a major cause of sexually transmitted disease and preventable blindness. In women, infections with C. trachomatis may lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), ectopic pregnancy, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility. In addition to infecting the female reproductive tract (FRT), Chlamydia spp. are routinely found in the gastro-intestinal (GI) tract of animals and humans and can be a reservoir for reinfection of the FRT. Whether Chlamydia disseminates from the FRT to the GI tract via internal routes remains unknown. Using mouse-specific C. muridarum as a model pathogen we show that Chlamydia disseminates from the FRT to the GI tract in a stepwise manner, by first infecting the FRT-draining iliac lymph nodes (ILNs), then the spleen, then the GI tract. Tissue CD11c+ DCs mediate the first step: FRT to ILN Chlamydia transport, which relies on CCR7:CCL21/CCL19 signaling. The second step, Chlamydia transport from ILN to the spleen, also relies on cell transport. However, this step is dependent on cell migration mediated by sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) signaling. Finally, spleen to GI tract Chlamydia spread is the third critical step, and is significantly hindered in splenectomized mice. Inhibition of Chlamydia dissemination significantly reduces or precludes the induction of Chlamydia-specific serum IgG antibodies, presence of which is correlated with FRT pathology in women. This study reveals important insights in context of Chlamydia spp. pathogenesis and will inform the development of therapeutic targets and vaccines to combat this pathogen. Chlamydia trachomatis is a bacterial pathogen and a major cause of sexually transmitted disease and preventable blindness worldwide. In women, C. trachomatis may cause PID, ectopic pregnancy, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility. Chlamydia spp. are routinely found in the gastro-intestinal (GI) tract of humans and animals. However, whether and how Chlamydia spreads internally to the GI tract following the female reproductive tract (FRT) infection remains unknown. Using a mouse model of infection here we show that Chlamydia spreads to the GI tract in a stepwise manner, by first infecting the FRT-draining iliac lymph nodes (ILNs), then the spleen and the GI tract. Tissue DCs mediate the first step: FRT to ILN Chlamydia spread, which relies on CCR7:CCL21/CCL19 signaling. The second step, ILN to spleen spread, also relies on cell migration, and is dependent on sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) signaling. Finally, spleen to GI tract Chlamydia spread is the third critical step and is significantly hindered in splenectomized mice. Our study reveals important insight in context of Chlamydia pathogenesis. In addition, this work will inform the identification of therapeutic targets and development of vaccines against this pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Savannah E. Howe
- School of Biological Sciences, Microbiology Program, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Nita Shillova
- School of Biological Sciences, Microbiology Program, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Vjollca Konjufca
- School of Biological Sciences, Microbiology Program, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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38
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Xu JZ, Kumar R, Gong H, Liu L, Ramos-Solis N, Li Y, Derbigny WA. Toll-Like Receptor 3 Deficiency Leads to Altered Immune Responses to Chlamydia trachomatis Infection in Human Oviduct Epithelial Cells. Infect Immun 2019; 87:e00483-19. [PMID: 31383744 PMCID: PMC6759307 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00483-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Reproductive tract pathology caused by Chlamydia trachomatis infection is an important global cause of human infertility. To better understand the mechanisms associated with Chlamydia-induced genital tract pathogenesis in humans, we used CRISPR genome editing to disrupt Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) function in the human oviduct epithelial (hOE) cell line OE-E6/E7 in order to investigate the possible role(s) of TLR3 signaling in the immune response to Chlamydia Disruption of TLR3 function in these cells significantly diminished the Chlamydia-induced synthesis of several inflammation biomarkers, including interferon beta (IFN-β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-6 receptor alpha (IL-6Rα), soluble interleukin-6 receptor beta (sIL-6Rβ, or gp130), IL-8, IL-20, IL-26, IL-34, soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (sTNF-R1), tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 13B (TNFSF13B), matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1), MMP-2, and MMP-3. In contrast, the Chlamydia-induced synthesis of CCL5, IL-29 (IFN-λ1), and IL-28A (IFN-λ2) was significantly increased in TLR3-deficient hOE cells compared to their wild-type counterparts. Our results indicate a role for TLR3 signaling in limiting the genital tract fibrosis, scarring, and chronic inflammation often associated with human chlamydial disease. Interestingly, we saw that Chlamydia infection induced the production of biomarkers associated with persistence, tumor metastasis, and autoimmunity, such as soluble CD163 (sCD163), chitinase-3-like protein 1, osteopontin, and pentraxin-3, in hOE cells; however, their expression levels were significantly dysregulated in TLR3-deficient hOE cells. Finally, we demonstrate using hOE cells that TLR3 deficiency resulted in an increased amount of chlamydial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) within Chlamydia inclusions, which is suggestive that TLR3 deficiency leads to enhanced chlamydial replication and possibly increased genital tract pathogenesis during human infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerry Z Xu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Ramesh Kumar
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Haoli Gong
- Xiangya Second Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Luyao Liu
- Xiangya Second Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Nicole Ramos-Solis
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Yujing Li
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Wilbert A Derbigny
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
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Harvie MC, Carey AJ, Armitage CW, O'Meara CP, Peet J, Phillips ZN, Timms P, Beagley KW. Chlamydia-infected macrophages are resistant to azithromycin treatment and are associated with chronic oviduct inflammation and hydrosalpinx development. Immunol Cell Biol 2019; 97:865-876. [PMID: 31348541 DOI: 10.1111/imcb.12285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Chlamydia infection remains the leading sexually-transmitted bacterial infection worldwide, causing damaging sequelae such as tubal scarring, infertility and ectopic pregnancy. As infection is often asymptomatic, prevention via vaccination is the optimal strategy for disease control. Vaccination strategies aimed at preventing bacterial infection have shown some promise, although these strategies often fail to prevent damaging inflammatory pathology when Chlamydia is encountered. Using a murine model of Chlamydia muridarum genital infection, we employed two established independent models to compare immune responses underpinning pathologic development of genital Chlamydia infection. Model one uses antibiotic treatment during infection, with only early treatment preventing pathology. Model two uses a plasmid-cured variant strain of C. muridarum that does not cause pathologic outcomes like the plasmid-containing wild-type counterpart. Using these infection models, contrasted by the development of pathology, we identified an unexpected role for macrophages. We observed that mice showing signs of pathology had greater numbers of activated macrophages present in the oviducts. This may have been due to early differences in macrophage activation and proinflammatory signaling leading to persistent or enhanced infection. These results provide valuable insight into the cellular mechanisms driving pathology in Chlamydia infection and contribute to the design and development of more effective vaccine strategies for protection against the deleterious sequelae of Chlamydia infection of the female reproductive tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Cg Harvie
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Alison J Carey
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Charles W Armitage
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Connor P O'Meara
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Jesse Peet
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Zachary N Phillips
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Peter Timms
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of Sunshine Coast (USC), Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Kenneth W Beagley
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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Caspase-11 Contributes to Oviduct Pathology during Genital Chlamydia Infection in Mice. Infect Immun 2019; 87:IAI.00262-19. [PMID: 31160363 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00262-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been shown that caspase-1, but not its upstream activator, ASC, contributes to oviduct pathology during mouse genital Chlamydia muridarum infection. We hypothesized that this dichotomy is due to the inadvertent absence of caspase-11 in previously used caspase-1-deficient mice. To address this, we studied the independent contributions of caspase-1 and -11 during genital Chlamydia infection. Our results show that caspase-11 deficiency was sufficient to recapitulate the effect of the combined absence of both caspase-1 and caspase-11 on oviduct pathology. Further, mice that were deficient for both caspase-1 and -11 but that expressed caspase-11 as a transgene (essentially, caspase-1-deficient mice) had no significant difference in oviduct pathology from control mice. Caspase-11-deficient mice showed reduced dilation in both the oviducts and uterus. To determine the mechanism by which caspase-11-deficient mice developed reduced pathology, the chlamydial burden and immune cell infiltration were determined in the oviducts. In the caspase-11-deficient mice, we observed increased chlamydial burdens in the upper genital tract, which correlated with increased CD4 T cell recruitment, suggesting a contribution of caspase-11 in infection control. Additionally, there were significantly fewer neutrophils in the oviducts of caspase-11-deficient mice, supporting the observed decrease in the incidence of oviduct pathology. Therefore, caspase-11 activation contributes to pathogen control and oviduct disease independently of caspase-1 activation.
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Chlamydia muridarum Induces Pathology in the Female Upper Genital Tract via Distinct Mechanisms. Infect Immun 2019; 87:IAI.00145-19. [PMID: 31085708 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00145-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Sexually transmitted infection with Chlamydia trachomatis may lead to fibrotic blockage in women's upper genital tracts, resulting in tubal infertility. Intravaginal inoculation with C. muridarum readily induces fibrotic blockage or hydrosalpinx in mice and is used for investigating C. trachomatis pathogenicity. Using this model in combination with an antibody depletion approach, we confirmed CD4+ T cell-mediated protective immunity and a CD8+ T cell-dependent pathogenic mechanism during chlamydial infection in C57BL/6J mice. However, when mice genetically deficient in CD8+ T cells were evaluated, we found, surprisingly, that these mice were still able to develop robust hydrosalpinx following C. muridarum infection, both contradicting the observation made in C57BL/6J mice and suggesting a pathogenic mechanism that is independent of CD8+ T cells. We further found that depletion of CD4+ T cells from CD8+ T cell-deficient mice significantly reduced chlamydial induction of hydrosalpinx, indicating that CD4+ T cells became pathogenic in mice genetically deficient in CD8+ T cells. Since depletion of CD4+ T cells both promoted chlamydial infection and reduced chlamydial pathogenicity in CD8+ T cell-deficient mice, we propose that in the absence of CD8+ T cells, some CD4+ T cells may remain protective (as in C57BL/6J mice), while others may directly contribute to chlamydial pathogenicity. Thus, chlamydial pathogenicity can be mediated by distinct host mechanisms, depending upon host genetics and infection conditions. The CD8+ T cell-deficient mouse model may be useful for further investigating the mechanisms by which CD4+ T cells promote chlamydial pathogenicity.
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Intracellular Pathogens: Host Immunity and Microbial Persistence Strategies. J Immunol Res 2019; 2019:1356540. [PMID: 31111075 PMCID: PMC6487120 DOI: 10.1155/2019/1356540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 170] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Revised: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Infectious diseases caused by pathogens including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites are ranked as the second leading cause of death worldwide by the World Health Organization. Despite tremendous improvements in global public health since 1950, a number of challenges remain to either prevent or eradicate infectious diseases. Many pathogens can cause acute infections that are effectively cleared by the host immunity, but a subcategory of these pathogens called "intracellular pathogens" can establish persistent and sometimes lifelong infections. Several of these intracellular pathogens manage to evade the host immune monitoring and cause disease by replicating inside the host cells. These pathogens have evolved diverse immune escape strategies and overcome immune responses by residing and multiplying inside host immune cells, primarily macrophages. While these intracellular pathogens that cause persistent infections are phylogenetically diverse and engage in diverse immune evasion and persistence strategies, they share common pathogen type-specific mechanisms during host-pathogen interaction inside host cells. Likewise, the host immune system is also equipped with a diverse range of effector functions to fight against the establishment of pathogen persistence and subsequent host damage. This article provides an overview of the immune effector functions used by the host to counter pathogens and various persistence strategies used by intracellular pathogens to counter host immunity, which enables their extended period of colonization in the host. The improved understanding of persistent intracellular pathogen-derived infections will contribute to develop improved disease diagnostics, therapeutics, and prophylactics.
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Bondareva NE, Koroleva EA, Zigangirova NA. The Role of Chlamydial Colonization of the Gastrointestinal Tract in the Development and Persistence of Chronic Chlamydial Infections. MOLECULAR GENETICS MICROBIOLOGY AND VIROLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.3103/s089141681804002x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Huang Y, Sun Y, Qin T, Liu Y. The Structural Integrity of Plasmid-Encoded Pgp3 Is Essential for Induction of Hydrosalpinx by Chlamydia muridarum. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:13. [PMID: 30805313 PMCID: PMC6370636 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Pgp3 consists of globular N- and C-terminal domains connected by a triple-helical coiled-coil middle domain. We demonstrated previously that Pgp3 is required for induction of hydrosalpinx by Chlamydia muridarum. We constructed C. muridarum transformants harboring deletion of the Pgp3 N-terminus (pgp3Δn), C-terminus (pgp3Δc), or middle domain (pgp3Δm). C3H/HeJ and CBA/J mice infected with pgp3Δn or pgp3Δm failed to induce hydrosalpinx in oviduct tissue. However, the pgp3Δc transformant induced mild hydrosalpinx in 20% of C3H/HeJ mice (severity score 0.2 ± 0.6) and in 40% of CBA/J mice (severity score 0.8 ± 1.3). The attenuated pathogenicity of the transformants harboring Pgp3 domain deletions was correlated with impaired in vitro growth and significantly reduced infectivity in the mouse lower genital tract. Moreover, the oviduct tissue of C3H/HeJ and CBA/J mice infected with the Pgp3-domain-deficient transformants displayed less inflammatory cell infiltration. Thus, the structural integrity of plasmid-encoded Pgp3 is essential for induction of hydrosalpinx by C. muridarum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumeng Huang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yina Sun
- Key Laboratory of Hormones and Development (Ministry of Health), Tianjin Key Laboratory of Metabolic Diseases, Tianjin Metabolic Diseases Hospital and Tianjin Institute of Endocrinology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Tai Qin
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Department of Pancreatic Cancer, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuanjun Liu
- Department of Dermatovenereology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
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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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Russi RC, Bourdin E, García MI, Veaute CMI. In silico prediction of T- and B-cell epitopes in PmpD: First step towards to the design of a Chlamydia trachomatis vaccine. Biomed J 2018; 41:109-117. [PMID: 29866599 PMCID: PMC6138762 DOI: 10.1016/j.bj.2018.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2017] [Revised: 03/30/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common sexually transmitted bacterial infection globally. Currently, there are no vaccines available despite the efforts made to develop a protective one. Polymorphic membrane protein D (PmpD) is an attractive immunogen candidate as it is conserved among strains and it is target of neutralizing antibodies. However, its high molecular weight and its complex structure make it difficult to handle by recombinant DNA techniques. Our aim is to predict B-cell and T-cell epitopes of PmpD. METHOD A sequence (Genbank AAK69391.2) having 99-100% identity with various serovars of C. trachomatis was used for predictions. NetMHC and NetMHCII were used for T-cell epitope linked to MHC I or MHC II alleles prediction, respectively. BepiPred predicted linear B-cell epitopes. For three dimensional epitopes, PmpD was homology-modeled by Raptor X. Surface epitopes were predicted on its globular structure using DiscoTope. RESULTS NetMHC predicted 271 T-cell epitopes of 9-12aa with weak affinity, and 70 with strong affinity to MHC I molecules. NetMHCII predicted 2903 T-cell epitopes of 15aa with weak affinity, and 742 with strong affinity to MHC II molecules. Twenty four linear B-cell epitopes were predicted. Raptor X was able to model 91% of the three-dimensional structure whereas 57 residues of discontinuous epitopes were suggested by DiscoTope. Six regions containing B-cell and T-cell epitopes were identified by at least two predictors. CONCLUSIONS PmpD has potential B-cell and T-cell epitopes distributed throughout the sequence. Thus, several fragments were identified as valuable candidates for subunit vaccines against C. trachomatis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romina Cecilia Russi
- Basic Immunology Laboratory, Faculty of Biochemistry and Biological Sciences, National University of the Littoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Elian Bourdin
- Independent professional, C1425BME, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Inés García
- Basic Immunology Laboratory, Faculty of Biochemistry and Biological Sciences, National University of the Littoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Carolina Melania I Veaute
- Basic Immunology Laboratory, Faculty of Biochemistry and Biological Sciences, National University of the Littoral, Santa Fe, Argentina.
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Carrasco SE, Hu S, Imai DM, Kumar R, Sandusky GE, Yang XF, Derbigny WA. Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) promotes the resolution of Chlamydia muridarum genital tract infection in congenic C57BL/6N mice. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0195165. [PMID: 29624589 PMCID: PMC5889059 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0195165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2017] [Accepted: 03/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis urogenital serovars primarily replicate in epithelial cells lining the reproductive tract. Epithelial cells recognize Chlamydia through cell surface and cytosolic receptors, and/or endosomal innate receptors such as Toll-like receptors (TLRs). Activation of these receptors triggers both innate and adaptive immune mechanisms that are required for chlamydial clearance, but are also responsible for the immunopathology in the reproductive tract. We previously demonstrated that Chlamydia muridarum (Cm) induces IFN-β in oviduct epithelial cells (OE) in a TLR3-dependent manner, and that the synthesis of several cytokines and chemokines are diminished in Cm-challenged OE derived from TLR3-/- 129S1 mice. Furthermore, our in vitro studies showed that Cm replication in TLR3-/- OE is more efficient than in wild-type OE. Because TLR3 modulates the release inflammatory mediators involved in host defense during Cm infection, we hypothesized that TLR3 plays a protective role against Cm-induced genital tract pathology in congenic C57BL/6N mice. Using the Cm mouse model for human Chlamydia genital tract infections, we demonstrated that TLR3-/- mice had increased Cm shedding during early and mid-stage genital infection. In early stage infection, TLR3-/- mice showed a diminished synthesis of IFN-β, IL-1β, and IL-6, but enhanced production of IL-10, TNF-α, and IFN-γ. In mid-stage infection, TLR3-/- mice exhibited significantly enhanced lymphocytic endometritis and salpingitis than wild-type mice. These lymphocytes were predominantly scattered along the endometrial stroma and the associated smooth muscle, and the lamina propria supporting the oviducts. Surprisingly, our data show that CD4+ T-cells are significantly enhanced in the genital tract TLR3-/- mice during mid-stage Chlamydial infection. In late-stage infections, both mouse strains developed hydrosalpinx; however, the extent of hydrosalpinx was more severe in TLR3-/- mice. Together, these data suggest that TLR3 promotes the clearance of Cm during early and mid-stages of genital tract infection, and that loss of TLR3 is detrimental in the development hydrosalpinx.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian E. Carrasco
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Comparative Pathology Laboratory, University of California-Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Sishun Hu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Denise M. Imai
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Comparative Pathology Laboratory, University of California-Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Ramesh Kumar
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - George E. Sandusky
- Department of Pathology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - X. Frank Yang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Wilbert A. Derbigny
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
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Zhu C, Lin H, Tang L, Chen J, Wu Y, Zhong G. Oral Chlamydia vaccination induces transmucosal protection in the airway. Vaccine 2018; 36:2061-2068. [PMID: 29550196 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Revised: 03/06/2018] [Accepted: 03/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Although Chlamydia has been frequently detected in the gastrointestinal tracts of both humans and animals, it is not associated with any gastrointestinal pathology. We have recently shown that gastrointestinal Chlamydiamuridarum is not only non-pathogenic but also induces protective immunity in the genital tract. We now report that the transmucosal immunity induced by a single oral immunization with C.muridarum protected the mouse airway from a subsequent challenge infection. The oral immunization significantly reduced chlamydial burden in the airway as early as day 3 after intranasal challenge. As a result, the airway chlamydial spreading to extra-airway tissues was completely prevented on day 3 and significantly reduced on day 9. The immunized mice were protected from any significant systemic toxicity caused by the intranasal challenge since there was no significant bodyweight drop in the immunized mice. This robust protection correlated well with Chlamydia-specific antibodies that recognize chlamydial organism surface antigens and T cell responses that are dominated with a Th1 phenotype. The immunized mice developed high ratios of IgG2b/c over IgG1 levels and IFNγ-producing over IL-5- or IL-13-producing lymphocytes. Thus, we have demonstrated that oral vaccination with C. muridarum can induce Th1-dominant transmucosal immunity in the airway. Together with previous studies, we propose that non-pathogenic colonization of Chlamydia in the gastrointestinal tract be explored as an oral delivery system for inducing protection against infections and pathologies in extra-gastrointestinal tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cuiming Zhu
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Institute of Pathogenic Biology, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China; Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, TX 78229, United States
| | - Hui Lin
- The 2nd Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China; Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, TX 78229, United States
| | - Lingli Tang
- The 2nd Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
| | - Jianlin Chen
- The 2nd Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
| | - Yimou Wu
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Institute of Pathogenic Biology, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China.
| | - Guangming Zhong
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, TX 78229, United States.
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B Cell Presentation of Chlamydia Antigen Selects Out Protective CD4γ13 T Cells: Implications for Genital Tract Tissue-Resident Memory Lymphocyte Clusters. Infect Immun 2018; 86:IAI.00614-17. [PMID: 29158429 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00614-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2017] [Accepted: 11/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Surveillance and defense of the enormous mucosal interface with the nonsterile world are critical to protecting the host from a wide range of pathogens. Chlamydia trachomatis is an intracellular bacterial pathogen that replicates almost exclusively in the epithelium of the reproductive tract. The fallopian tubes and vagina are poorly suited to surveillance and defense, with limited immune infrastructure positioned near the epithelium. However, a dynamic process during clearing primary infections leaves behind new lymphoid clusters immediately beneath the epithelium. These memory lymphocyte clusters (MLCs) harboring tissue-resident memory (Trm) T cells are presumed to play an important role in protection from subsequent infections. Histologically, human Chlamydia MLCs have prominent B cell populations. We investigated the status of genital tract B cells during C. muridarum infections and the nature of T cells recovered from immune mice using immune B cells as antigen-presenting cells (APCs). These studies revealed a genital tract plasma B cell population and a novel genital tract CD4 T cell subset producing both gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and interleukin-13 (IL-13). A panel of CD4 T cell clones and microarray analysis showed that the molecular fingerprint of CD4γ13 T cells includes a Trm-like transcriptome. Adoptive transfer of a Chlamydia-specific CD4γ13 T cell clone completely prevented oviduct immunopathology without accelerating bacterial clearance. Existence of a CD4γ13 T cell subset provides a plausible explanation for the observation that human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) Chlamydia-specific IFN-γ and IL-13 responses predict resistance to reinfection.
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Finethy R, Coers J. Sensing the enemy, containing the threat: cell-autonomous immunity to Chlamydia trachomatis. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2018; 40:875-893. [PMID: 28201690 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuw027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 03/31/2016] [Accepted: 07/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis is the etiological agent of the most common sexually transmitted infection in North America and Europe. Medical complications resulting from genital C. trachomatis infections arise predominantly in women where the initial infections often remain asymptomatic and thus unrecognized. Untreated asymptomatic infections in women can ascend into the upper genital tract and establish persistence, ultimately resulting in extensive scarring of the reproductive organs, pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility and ectopic pregnancies. Previously resolved C. trachomatis infections fail to provide protective immune memory, and no effective vaccine against C. trachomatis is currently available. Critical determinants of the pathogenesis and immunogenicity of genital C. trachomatis infections are cell-autonomous immune responses. Cell-autonomous immunity describes the ability of an individual host cell to launch intrinsic immune circuits that execute the detection, containment and elimination of cell-invading pathogens. As an obligate intracellular pathogen C. trachomatis is constantly under attack by cell-intrinsic host defenses. Accordingly, C. trachomatis evolved to subvert and co-opt cell-autonomous immune pathways. This review will provide a critical summary of our current understanding of cell-autonomous immunity to C. trachomatis and its role in shaping host resistance, inflammation and adaptive immunity to genital C. trachomatis infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Finethy
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Jörn Coers
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.,Department of Immunology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
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