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Xu Y, Wang Y, Winner H, Yang H, He R, Wang J, Zhong G. Regulation of chlamydial spreading from the small intestine to the large intestine by IL-22-producing CD4 + T cells. Infect Immun 2024; 92:e0042123. [PMID: 38047677 PMCID: PMC10790816 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00421-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Following an oral inoculation, Chlamydia muridarum descends to the mouse large intestine for long-lasting colonization. However, a mutant C. muridarum that lacks the plasmid-encoded protein pGP3 due to an engineered premature stop codon (designated as CMpGP3S) failed to do so even following an intrajejunal inoculation. This was because a CD4+ T cell-dependent immunity prevented the spread of CMpGP3S from the small intestine to the large intestine. In the current study, we found that mice deficient in IL-22 (IL-22-/-) allowed CMpGP3S to spread from the small intestine to the large intestine on day 3 after intrajejunal inoculation, indicating a critical role of IL-22 in regulating the chlamydial spread. The responsible IL-22 is produced by CD4+ T cells since IL-22-/- mice were rescued to block the CMpGP3S spread by donor CD4+ T cells from C57BL/6J mice. Consistently, CD4+ T cells lacking IL-22 failed to block the spread of CMpGP3S in Rag2-/- mice, while IL-22-competent CD4+ T cells did block. Furthermore, mice deficient in cathelicidin-related antimicrobial peptide (CRAMP) permitted the CMpGP3S spread, but donor CD4+ T cells from CRAMP-/- mice were still sufficient for preventing the CMpGP3S spread in Rag2-/- mice, indicating a critical role of CRAMP in regulating chlamydial spreading, and the responsible CRAMP is not produced by CD4+ T cells. Thus, the IL-22-producing CD4+ T cell-dependent regulation of chlamydial spreading correlated with CRAMP produced by non-CD4+ T cells. These findings provide a platform for further characterizing the subset(s) of CD4+ T cells responsible for regulating bacterial spreading in the intestine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Xu
- Department of Immunology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Yihui Wang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Halah Winner
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Huijie Yang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Rongze He
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Jie Wang
- Department of Immunology, Xiangya School of Medicine, 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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2
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He Y, Wang Y, He R, Abdelsalam AM, Zhong G. IL-23 receptor signaling licenses group 3-like innate lymphoid cells to restrict a live-attenuated oral Chlamydia vaccine in the gut. Infect Immun 2023; 91:e0037123. [PMID: 37850749 PMCID: PMC10652955 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00371-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
An IFNγ-susceptible mutant of Chlamydia muridarum is attenuated in pathogenicity in the genital tract and was recently licensed as an intracellular Oral vaccine vector or intrOv. Oral delivery of intrOv induces transmucosal protection in the genital tract, but intrOv itself is cleared from the gut (without shedding any infectious particles externally) by IFNγ from group 3-like innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s). We further characterized the intrOv interactions with ILC3s in the current study, since the interactions may impact both the safety and efficacy of intrOv as an oral Chlamydia vaccine. Intracolonic inoculation with intrOv induced IFNγ that in return inhibited intrOv. The intrOv-IFNγ interactions were dependent on RORγt, a signature transcriptional factor of ILC3s. Consistently, the transfer of oral intrOv-induced ILC3s from RORγt-GFP reporter mice to IFNγ-deficient mice rescued the inhibition of intrOv. Thus, IFNγ produced by intrOv-induced ILC3s is likely responsible for inhibiting intrOv, which is further supported by the observation that oral intrOv did induce significant levels of IFNγ-producing LC3s (IFNγ+ILC3s). Interestingly, IL-23 receptor knockout (IL-23R-/-) mice no longer inhibited intrOv, which was accompanied by reduced colonic IFNγ. Transfer of oral intrOv-induced ILC3s rescued the IL-23R-/- mice to inhibit intrOv, validating the dependence of ILC3s on IL-23R signaling for inhibiting intrOv. Clearly, intrOv induces intestinal IFNγ+ILC3s for its own inhibition in the gut, which is facilitated by IL-23R signaling. These findings have provided a mechanism for ensuring the safety of intrOv as an oral Chlamydia vaccine and a platform for investigating how oral intrOv induces transmucosal protection in the genital tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying He
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yihui Wang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Rongze He
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Ahmed Mohamed Abdelsalam
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - 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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3
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Lu C, Wang J, Zhong G. Preclinical screen for protection efficacy of chlamydial antigens that are immunogenic in humans. Infect Immun 2023; 91:e0034923. [PMID: 37889004 PMCID: PMC10652899 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00349-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
To search for subunit vaccine candidates, immunogenic chlamydial antigens identified in humans were evaluated for protection against both infection and pathology in a mouse genital tract infection model under three different immunization regimens. The intramuscular immunization regimen was first used to evaluate 106 chlamydial antigens, which revealed that two antigens significantly reduced while 11 increased genital chlamydial burden. The two infection-reducing antigens failed to prevent pathology and 23 additional antigens even exacerbated pathology. Thus, intranasal mucosal immunization was tested next since intranasal inoculation with live Chlamydia muridarum prevented both genital infection and pathology. Two of the 29 chlamydial antigens evaluated were found to prevent genital infection but not pathology and three exacerbate pathology. To further improve protection efficacy, a combinational regimen (intranasal priming + intramuscular boosting + a third intraperitoneal/subcutaneous boost) was tested. This regimen identified four infection-reducing antigens, but only one of them prevented pathology. Unfortunately, this protective antigen was not advanced further due to its amino acid sequence homology with several human molecules. Two pathology-exacerbating antigens were also found. Nevertheless, intranasal mucosal priming with viable C. muridarum in control groups consistently prevented both genital infection and pathology regardless of the subsequent boosters. Thus, screening 140 different chlamydial antigens with 21 repeated multiple times in 17 experiments failed to identify a subunit vaccine candidate but demonstrated the superiority of viable chlamydial organisms in inducing immunity against both genital infection and pathology, laying the foundation for developing a live-attenuated Chlamydia vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunxue Lu
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Jie Wang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas, USA
- Department of Immunology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Guangming Zhong
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas, USA
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4
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Wang Y, He R, Winner H, Gauduin MC, Zhang N, He C, Zhong G. Induction of Transmucosal Protection by Oral Vaccination with an Attenuated Chlamydia. Infect Immun 2023; 91:e0004323. [PMID: 37036335 PMCID: PMC10187116 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00043-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia muridarum has been used to study chlamydial pathogenesis because it induces mice to develop hydrosalpinx, a pathology observed in C. trachomatis-infected women. We identified a C. muridarum mutant that is no longer able to induce hydrosalpinx. In the current study, we evaluated the mutant as an attenuated vaccine. Following an intravaginal immunization with the mutant, mice were protected from hydrosalpinx induced by wild-type C. muridarum. However, the mutant itself productively colonized the mouse genital tract and produced infectious organisms in vaginal swabs. Nevertheless, the mutant failed to produce infectious shedding in the rectal swabs following an oral inoculation. Importantly, mice orally inoculated with the mutant mounted transmucosal immunity against challenge infection of wild-type C. muridarum in the genital tract. The protection was detected as early as day 3 following the genital challenge infection and the orally immunized mice were protected from any significant pathology in the upper genital tract. However, the same orally immunized mice failed to prevent the colonization of wild-type C. muridarum in the gastrointestinal tract. The transmucosal immunity induced by the oral mutant was further validated in the airway. The orally vaccinated mice were protected from both lung infection and systemic toxicity caused by intranasally inoculated wild-type C. muridarum although the same mice still permitted the gastrointestinal colonization by the wild-type C. muridarum. These observations suggest that the mutant C. muridarum may be developed into an intracellular oral vaccine vector (or IntrOv) for selectively inducing transmucosal immunity in extra-gut tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihui Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology and Zoonosis, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Rongze He
- Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology and Zoonosis, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Halah Winner
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Marie-Claire Gauduin
- Department of Virology, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Nu Zhang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Cheng He
- Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology and Zoonosis, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Guangming Zhong
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Texas, USA
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5
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Wang Y, He R, Winner H, Gauduin MC, Zhang N, He C, Zhong G. Induction of transmucosal protection by oral vaccination with an attenuated Chlamydia. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.30.526385. [PMID: 36778293 PMCID: PMC9915634 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.30.526385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
Chlamydia muridarum has been used to study chlamydial pathogenesis since it induces mice to develop hydrosalpinx, a pathology observed in C. trachomatis -infected women. We identified a C. muridarum mutant that is no longer able to induce hydrosalpinx. In the current study, we evaluated the mutant as an attenuated vaccine. Following an intravaginal immunization with the mutant, mice were protected from hydrosalpinx induced by wild type C. muridarum . However, the mutant itself productively colonized the mouse genital tract and produced infectious organisms in vaginal swabs. Nevertheless, the mutant failed to produce infectious shedding in the rectal swabs following an oral inoculation. Importantly, mice orally inoculated with the mutant mounted transmucosal immunity against challenge infection of wild type C. muridarum in the genital tract. The protection was detected as early as day 3 following the challenge infection and the immunized mice were protected from any significant pathology in the upper genital tract. However, the same orally immunized mice failed to prevent the colonization of wild type C. muridarum in the gastrointestinal tract. The transmucosal immunity induced by the oral mutant was further validated in the airway. The orally vaccinated mice were protected from both lung infection and systemic toxicity caused by intranasally inoculated wild type C. muridarum although the same mice still permitted the gastrointestinal colonization by the wild type C. muridarum . These observations suggest that the mutant C. muridarum may be developed into an intr acellular o ral v accine vector (or IntrOv) for selectively inducing transmucosal immunity in extra-gut tissues.
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6
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Chan YT, Cheok YY, Cheong HC, Tan GMY, Seow SR, Tang TF, Sulaiman S, Looi CY, Gupta R, Arulanandam B, Wong WF. Influx of podoplanin-expressing inflammatory macrophages into the genital tract following Chlamydia infection. Immunol Cell Biol 2023; 101:305-320. [PMID: 36658328 DOI: 10.1111/imcb.12621] [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: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection remains a major health issue as it causes severe complications including pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and infertility in females as a result of infection-associated chronic inflammation. Podoplanin, a transmembrane receptor, has been previously reported on inflammatory macrophages. Thus, strategies that specifically target podoplanin might be able to reduce local inflammation. This study investigated the expression level and function of podoplanin in a C. trachomatis infection model. C57BL/6 mice infected with the mouse pathogen Chlamydia muridarum were examined intermittently from days 1 to 60 using flow cytometry analysis. Percentages of conventional macrophages (CD11b+ CD11c- F4/80+ ) versus inflammatory macrophages (CD11b+ CD11c+ F4/80+ ), and the expression of podoplanin in these cells were investigated. Subsequently, a podoplanin-knockout RAW264.7 cell was used to evaluate the function of podoplanin in C. trachomatis infection. Our findings demonstrated an increased CD11b+ cell volume in the spleen at day 9 after the infection, with augmented podoplanin expression, especially among the inflammatory macrophages. A large number of podoplanin-expressing macrophages were detected in the genital tract of C. muridarum-infected mice. Furthermore, analysis of the C. trachomatis-infected patients demonstrated a higher percentage of podoplanin-expressing monocytes than that in the noninfected controls. Using an in vitro infection in a transwell migration assay, we identified that macrophages deficient in podoplanin displayed defective migratory function toward C. trachomatis-infected HeLa 229 cells. Lastly, using immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry method, we identified two potential podoplanin interacting proteins, namely, Cofilin 1 and Talin 1 actin-binding proteins. The present study reports a role of podoplanin in directing macrophage migration to the chlamydial infection site. Our results suggest a potential for reducing inflammation in individuals with chronic chlamydial infections by targeting podoplanin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yee Teng Chan
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Yi Ying Cheok
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Heng Choon Cheong
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Grace Min Yi Tan
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Shi Rui Seow
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Ting Fang Tang
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Sofiah Sulaiman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Chung Yeng Looi
- School of Bioscience, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, Taylor's University, Subang Jaya, Malaysia
| | - Rishein Gupta
- Center of Excellence in Infection Genomics, South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Bernard Arulanandam
- Center of Excellence in Infection Genomics, South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.,Department of Immunology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Won Fen Wong
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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7
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Suchland RJ, Carrell SJ, Ramsey SA, Hybiske K, Debrine AM, Sanchez J, Celum C, Rockey DD. Genomic Analysis of MSM Rectal Chlamydia trachomatis Isolates Identifies Predicted Tissue-Tropic Lineages Generated by Intraspecies Lateral Gene Transfer-Mediated Evolution. Infect Immun 2022; 90:e0026522. [PMID: 36214558 PMCID: PMC9670952 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00265-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular bacterium that causes serious diseases in humans. Rectal infection and disease caused by this pathogen are important yet understudied aspects of C. trachomatis natural history. The University of Washington Chlamydia Repository has a large collection of male-rectal-sourced strains (MSM rectal strains) isolated in Seattle, USA and Lima, Peru. Initial characterization of strains collected over 30 years in both Seattle and Lima led to an association of serovars G and J with male rectal infections. Serovar D, E, and F strains were also collected from MSM patients. Genome sequence analysis of a subset of MSM rectal strains identified a clade of serovar G and J strains that had high overall genomic identity. A genome-wide association study was then used to identify genomic loci that were correlated with tissue tropism in a collection of serovar-matched male rectal and female cervical strains. The polymorphic membrane protein PmpE had the strongest correlation, and amino acid sequence alignments identified a set of PmpE variable regions (VRs) that were correlated with host or tissue tropism. Examination of the positions of VRs by the protein structure-predicting Alphafold2 algorithm demonstrated that the VRs were often present in predicted surface-exposed loops in both PmpE and PmpH protein structure. Collectively, these studies identify possible tropism-predictive loci for MSM rectal C. trachomatis infections and identify predicted surface-exposed variable regions of Pmp proteins that may function in MSM rectal versus cervical tropism differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J. Suchland
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Steven J. Carrell
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Stephen A. Ramsey
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Kevin Hybiske
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Abigail M. Debrine
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Jorge Sanchez
- Centro de Investigaciones Tecnológicas, Universidad Nacional Mayor San Marcos, Lima, Peru
| | - Connie Celum
- Departments of Global Health and Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Daniel D. Rockey
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
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8
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Wang L, Hou Y, Yuan H, Chen H. The role of tryptophan in Chlamydia trachomatis persistence. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:931653. [PMID: 35982780 PMCID: PMC9378776 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.931653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) is the most common etiological agent of bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and a worldwide public health issue. The natural course with C. trachomatis infection varies widely between individuals. Some infections clear spontaneously, others can last for several months or some individuals can become reinfected, leading to severe pathological damage. Importantly, the underlying mechanisms of C. trachomatis infection are not fully understood. C. trachomatis has the ability to adapt to immune response and persist within host epithelial cells. Indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) induced by interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) degrades the intracellular tryptophan pool, to which C. trachomatis can respond by converting to a non-replicating but viable state. C. trachomatis expresses and encodes for the tryptophan synthase (TS) genes (trpA and trpB) and tryptophan repressor gene (trpR). Multiple genes interact to regulate tryptophan synthesis from exogenous indole, and persistent C. trachomatis can recover its infectivity by converting indole into tryptophan. In this review, we discuss the characteristics of chlamydial infections, biosynthesis and regulation of tryptophan, the relationship between tryptophan and C. trachomatis, and finally, the links between the tryptophan/IFN-γ axis and C. trachomatis persistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Wang
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Chenzhou No.1 People’s Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Chenzhou No.1 People’s Hospital, Chenzhou, China
| | - YingLan Hou
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Chenzhou No.1 People’s Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Chenzhou No.1 People’s Hospital, Chenzhou, China
| | - HongXia Yuan
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Chenzhou No.1 People’s Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Chenzhou No.1 People’s Hospital, Chenzhou, China
| | - Hongliang Chen
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Chenzhou No.1 People’s Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Chenzhou No.1 People’s Hospital, Chenzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Hongliang Chen,
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9
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Chlamydia
deficient in plasmid-encoded glycoprotein 3 (pGP3) as an attenuated live oral vaccine. Infect Immun 2022; 90:e0047221. [PMID: 35100010 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00472-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the extensive efforts, there is still a lack of a licensed vaccine against
Chlamydia trachomatis
in humans. The mouse genital tract infection with
Chlamydia muridarum
has been used to both investigate chlamydial pathogenic mechanisms and evaluate vaccine candidates due to the
C. muridarum’s
ability to induce mouse hydrosalpinx.
C. muridarum
mutants lacking the entire plasmid or deficient in only the plasmid-encoded pGP3 are highly attenuated in inducing hydrosalpinx. We now report that intravaginal immunization with these mutants as live attenuated vaccines protected mice from hydrosalpinx induced by wild type
C. muridarum
. However, these mutants still productively infected the mouse genital tract. Further, the mutant-infected mice were only partially protected against the subsequent infection with wild type
C. muridarum
. Thus, these mutants as vaccines are neither safe nor effective when they are delivered via the genital tract. Interestingly, these mutants were highly deficient in colonizing the gastrointestinal tract. Particularly, the pGP3-deficient mutant failed to shed live organisms from mice following an oral inoculation, suggesting that the pGP3-deficient mutant may be developed into a safe oral vaccine. Indeed, oral inoculation with the pGP3-deficient mutant induced robust transmucosal immunity against both the infection and pathogenicity of wild type
C. muridarum
in the genital tract. Thus, we have demonstrated that the plasmid-encoded virulence factor pGP3 may be targeted for developing an attenuated live oral vaccine.
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10
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Chen H, Wang L, Zhao L, Luo L, Min S, Wen Y, Lei W, Shu M, Li Z. Alterations of Vaginal Microbiota in Women With Infertility and Chlamydia trachomatis Infection. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:698840. [PMID: 34414130 PMCID: PMC8370387 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.698840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) is the most common etiological agent of bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) worldwide and causes serious health sequelae such as cervicitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and even infertility if ascending from the lower to the upper female genital tract. Previous studies have revealed the pivotal role of vaginal microbiota in susceptibility to STIs. However, alterations in the vaginal microbiota in women who are infertile and infected with C. trachomatis remain unknown. This study used metagenomic analysis of sequenced 16S rRNA gene amplicons to examine the vaginal microbial profiles of women with tubal infertility who were C. trachomatis-negative and those who were C. trachomatis-positive pre- and post-antibiotic treatment. Women who were C. trachomatis-negative and deemed healthy were recruited as references of eubiosis and dysbiosis. Women with tubal infertility and C. trachomatis infection presented a unique Lactobacillus iners-dominated vaginal microbiota rather than one dominated by Lactobacillus crispatus and displayed a decrease in Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Enterobacter, Atopobium, and Streptococcus, accompanied by decreased levels of cytokines such as interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-10. This altered vaginal microbiota could be restored with varying degrees after standard treatment for C. trachomatis. This shift could be a predictive vaginal microbiota signature for C. trachomatis infection among females with tubal infertility, while no significant differences in phylum, class, and operational taxonomic unit (OTU) levels were observed between women with tubal infertility who were C. trachomatis-negative and healthy controls. This is the first study to provide data on the association of vaginal microbiota with C. trachomatis infection among women with tubal infertility and highlights unprecedented potential opportunities to predict C. trachomatis infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongliang Chen
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Hengyang Medical College, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, University of South China, Hengyang, China.,Chenzhou No.1 People's Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Chenzhou, China
| | - Li Wang
- Chenzhou No.1 People's Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Chenzhou, China
| | - Lanhua Zhao
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Hengyang Medical College, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Lipei Luo
- Chenzhou No.1 People's Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Chenzhou, China
| | - Shuling Min
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Hengyang Medical College, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, University of South China, Hengyang, China.,Chenzhou No.1 People's Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Chenzhou, China
| | - Yating Wen
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Hengyang Medical College, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Wenbo Lei
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Hengyang Medical College, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Mingyi Shu
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Hengyang Medical College, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Zhongyu Li
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Hengyang Medical College, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, University of South China, Hengyang, China
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Banerjee A, Nelson DE. The growing repertoire of genetic tools for dissecting chlamydial pathogenesis. Pathog Dis 2021; 79:ftab025. [PMID: 33930127 PMCID: PMC8112481 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftab025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple species of obligate intracellular bacteria in the genus Chlamydia are important veterinary and/or human pathogens. These pathogens all share similar biphasic developmental cycles and transition between intracellular vegetative reticulate bodies and infectious elementary forms, but vary substantially in their host preferences and pathogenic potential. A lack of tools for genetic engineering of these organisms has long been an impediment to the study of their biology and pathogenesis. However, the refinement of approaches developed in C. trachomatis over the last 10 years, and adaptation of some of these approaches to other Chlamydia spp. in just the last few years, has opened exciting new possibilities for studying this ubiquitous group of important pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arkaprabha Banerjee
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - David E Nelson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
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de la Maza LM, Darville TL, Pal S. Chlamydia trachomatis vaccines for genital infections: where are we and how far is there to go? Expert Rev Vaccines 2021; 20:421-435. [PMID: 33682583 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2021.1899817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common sexually transmitted bacterial pathogen in the world. Antibiotic treatment does not prevent against reinfection and a vaccine is not yet available. AREAS COVERED We focus the review on the progress made of our understanding of the immunological responses required for a vaccine to elicit protection, and on the antigens, adjuvants, routes of immunization and delivery systems that have been tested in animal models. PubMed and Google Scholar were used to search publication on these topics for the last 5 years and recent Reviews were examined. EXPERT OPINION The first Phase 1 clinical trial of a C. trachomatis vaccine to protect against genital infections was successfully completed. We expect that, in the next five years, additional vaccine clinical trials will be implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis M de la Maza
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Medical Sciences, I, Room D440 University of California, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Toni L Darville
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Sukumar Pal
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Medical Sciences, I, Room D440 University of California, Irvine, California, USA
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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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Otto G. Towards a chlamydia vaccine. Nat Rev Microbiol 2021; 19:3. [PMID: 33203989 PMCID: PMC7670482 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-020-00489-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
This study reports a mutant Clamydia muridarum strain that infects the gastrointestinal tract and protects against genital tract infection in mice.
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