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Abdulabbas HT, Mohammad Ali AN, Farjadfar A, Arabfard M, Najafipour S, Kouhpayeh A, Ghasemian A, Behmard E. Design of a novel multi-epitope vaccine candidate against Chlamydia trachomatis using structural and nonstructural proteins: an immunoinformatics study. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024; 42:4356-4369. [PMID: 37288800 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2220812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) is an obligate intracellular bacterium which causes eye and sexually transmitted infections. During pregnancy, the bacterium is associated with preterm complications, low weight of neonates, fetal demise and endometritis leading to infertility. The aim of our study was design of a multi-epitope vaccine (MEV) candidate against C. trachomatis. After protein sequence adoption from the NCBI, potential epitopes toxicity, antigenicity, allergenicity, MHC-I and MHC-II binding, cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), Helper T lymphocytes (HTLs) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ)- induction were predicted. The adopted epitopes were fused together using appropriate linkers. In the next step, the MEV structural mapping and characterization, three-dimensional (3D) structure homology modeling and refinement were also performed. The MEV candidate interaction with the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) was also docked. The immune responses simulation was assessed using the C-IMMSIM server. Molecular dynamic (MD) simulation verified the structural stability of the TLR4-MEV complex. The Molecular Mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann Surface Area (MMPBSA) approach demonstrated the MEV high affinity of binding to the TLR4, MHC-I and MHC-II. The MEV construct was also stable and water soluble and had enough antigenicity and lacked allergenicity with stimulation of T cells and B cells and INF-γ release. The immune simulation confirmed acceptable responses of both the humoral and cellular arms. It is proposed that in vitro and in vivo studies are needed to evaluate the findings of this study.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hussein T Abdulabbas
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Medical College, Al Muthanna University, Al Muthanna, Iraq
| | | | - Akbar Farjadfar
- Department of medical Biotechnology, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Masoud Arabfard
- Chemical Injuries Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sohrab Najafipour
- School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Amin Kouhpayeh
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Abdolmajid Ghasemian
- Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Esmaeil Behmard
- School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
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Challagundla N, Shah D, Dalai SK, Agrawal-Rajput R. IFNγ insufficiency during mouse intra-vaginal Chlamydia trachomatis infection exacerbates alternative activation in macrophages with compromised CD40 functions. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 131:111821. [PMID: 38484664 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.111821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis (C.tr), an obligate intracellular pathogen, causes asymptomatic genital infections in women and is a leading cause of preventable blindness. We have developed in vivo mouse models of acute and chronic C. trachomatis genital infection to explore the significance of macrophage-directed response in mediating immune activation/suppression. Our findings reveal that during chronic and repeated C. trachomatis infections, Th1 response is abated while Treg response is enhanced. Additionally, an increase in exhaustion (PD1, CTLA4) and anergic (Klrg3, Tim3) T cell markers is observed during chronic infection. We have also observed that M2 macrophages with low CD40 expression promote Th2 and Treg differentiation leading to sustained C. trachomatis genital infection. Macrophages infected with C. trachomatis or treated with supernatant of infected epithelial cells drive them to an M2 phenotype. C. trachomatis infection prevents the increase in CD40 expression as observed in western blots and flow cytometric analysis. Insufficient IFNγ, as observed during chronic infection, leads to incomplete clearance of bacteria and poor immune activation. C. trachomatis decapacitates IFNγ responsiveness in macrophages via hampering IFNγRI and IFNγRII expression which can be correlated with poor expression of MHC-II, CD40, iNOS and NO release even following IFNγ supplementation. M2 macrophages during C. trachomatis infection express low CD40 rendering immunosuppressive, Th2 and Treg differentiation which could not be reverted even by IFNγ supplementation. The alternative macrophages also harbour high bacterial load and are poor responders to IFNγ, thus promoting immunosuppression. In summary, C. trachomatis modulates the innate immune cells, attenuating the anti-chlamydial functions of T cells in a manner that involves decreased CD40 expression on macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naveen Challagundla
- Immunology Lab, Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Advanced Research, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India.
| | - Dhruvi Shah
- Immunology Lab, Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Advanced Research, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India.
| | - Sarat K Dalai
- Institute of Science, Nirma University, S.G. Highway, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
| | - Reena Agrawal-Rajput
- Immunology Lab, Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Advanced Research, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India.
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Mercado MAB, Li Q, Quick CM, Kim Y, Palmer R, Huang L, Li LX. BHLHE40 drives protective polyfunctional CD4 T cell differentiation in the female reproductive tract against Chlamydia. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1011983. [PMID: 38271477 PMCID: PMC10846703 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The protein basic helix-loop-helix family member e40 (BHLHE40) is a transcription factor recently emerged as a key regulator of host immunity to infections, autoimmune diseases and cancer. In this study, we investigated the role of Bhlhe40 in protective T cell responses to the intracellular bacterium Chlamydia in the female reproductive tract (FRT). Mice deficient in Bhlhe40 exhibited severe defects in their ability to control Chlamydia muridarum shedding from the FRT. The heightened bacterial burdens in Bhlhe40-/- mice correlated with a marked increase in IL-10-producing T regulatory type 1 (Tr1) cells and decreased polyfunctional CD4 T cells co-producing IFN-γ, IL-17A and GM-CSF. Genetic ablation of IL-10 or functional blockade of IL-10R increased CD4 T cell polyfunctionality and partially rescued the defects in bacterial control in Bhlhe40-/- mice. Using single-cell RNA sequencing coupled with TCR profiling, we detected a significant enrichment of stem-like T cell signatures in Bhlhe40-deficient CD4 T cells, whereas WT CD4 T cells were further down on the differentiation trajectory with distinct effector functions beyond IFN-γ production by Th1 cells. Altogether, we identified Bhlhe40 as a key molecular driver of CD4 T cell differentiation and polyfunctional responses in the FRT against Chlamydia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A. B. Mercado
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, United States of America
| | - Qiang Li
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, United States of America
| | - Charles M. Quick
- Department of Pathology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, United States of America
| | - Yejin Kim
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, United States of America
| | - Rachel Palmer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, United States of America
| | - Lu Huang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, United States of America
| | - Lin-Xi Li
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, United States of America
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Verweij SP, Peters RPH, Catsburg A, de Vries HJC, Ouburg S, Morré SA. Genetic Variation in the MBL2 Gene Is Associated with Chlamydia trachomatis Infection and Host Humoral Response to Chlamydia trachomatis Infection. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23169292. [PMID: 36012556 PMCID: PMC9409028 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aims to assess the potential association of MBL2 gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to Chlamydia trachomatis infection. We analysed a selected sample of 492 DNA and serum specimens from Dutch Caucasian women. Women were categorized into four groups of infection status based on the results of DNA and antibody tests for C. trachomatis: Ct-DNA+/IgG+, Ct-DNA+/IgG−, Ct-DNA−/IgG+, and Ct-DNA−/IgG−. We compared six MBL2 SNPs (−619G > C (H/L), −290G > C (Y/X), −66C > T (P/Q), +154C > T (A/D), +161A > G (A/B), and +170A > G (A/C)) and their respective haplotypes in relation to these different subgroups. The −619C (L) allele was less present within the Ct-DNA−/IgG+ group compared with the Ct-DNA−/IgG− group (OR = 0.49; 95% CI: 0.28−0.83), while the +170G (C) allele was observed more in the Ct-DNA+/IgG+ group as compared with the Ct-DNA−/IgG− group (OR = 2.4; 95% CI: 1.1−5.4). The HYA/HYA haplotype was more often present in the Ct-DNA−/IgG− group compared with the Ct-DNA+/IgG+ group (OR = 0.37; 95% CI: 0.16−0.87). The +170G (C) allele was associated with increased IgG production (p = 0.048) in C. trachomatis PCR-positive women. This study shows associations for MBL in immune reactions to C. trachomatis. We showed clear associations between MBL2 genotypes, haplotypes, and individuals’ stages of C. trachomatis DNA and IgG positivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan P. Verweij
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University Medical Centre Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Correspondence:
| | - Remco P. H. Peters
- Research Unit, Foundation for Professional Development, East London 5200, South Africa
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria P.O. Box 14679, South Africa
| | | | - Henry J. C. de Vries
- Cluster of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service Amsterdam, 1018 WT Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Center for Infection and Immunity Amsterdam (CINIMA), Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Dermatology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Centre for Infectious Diseases Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu, RIVM), 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Sander Ouburg
- Microbe & Lab B.V., 1105 AG Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Servaas A. Morré
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Health, Medicine & Life Sciences, Institute of Public Health Genomics, Research Institute GROW, University of Maastricht, 6216 LK Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Zhumalina AK, Tusupkaliev BT, Zharlykasinova MB, Zhekeyeva BA, Darzhanova KB. The levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in premature infants with perinatal infections. Mol Cell Biochem 2022; 477:621-625. [PMID: 34860348 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-021-04314-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Intrauterine infections are an urgent problem of modern neonatology. One of the causes of intrauterine infective foetal lesions is physiological immunosuppression. The purpose of this study is to investigate the cytokine status in newborns infected with perinatal infections, depending on their body weight. The study examined 145 newborns. Taking into account their body weight, they were divided into 2 groups: main and secondary. The study was conducted in the immunological laboratory of the Medical Centre of Marat Ospanov West Kazakhstan Medical University in the city of Aktobe, with the determination of the level of IgM and IgG to the herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1, 2, cytomegalovirus (CMV), and chlamydia using the MULTISKANASCENT analyser with the "Chemo" T system. The main results of this study are the predominance of the anti-inflammatory component in both normal weight and underweight infants, which is evidence of the Th-cell-mediated immune response prevalence. The applied value of this study lies in the possibility of applying its results in practice to obtain effective methods to counteract the occurrence and development of intrauterine infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akmaral K Zhumalina
- Department of Childhood Diseases No. 1 with Neonatology, West Kazakhstan Marat Ospanov Medical University, 68 Maresyev Str., 030000, Aktobe, Republic of Kazakhstan.
| | - Balash T Tusupkaliev
- Department of Childhood Diseases No. 1 with Neonatology, West Kazakhstan Marat Ospanov Medical University, 68 Maresyev Str., 030000, Aktobe, Republic of Kazakhstan
| | - Mairamkul B Zharlykasinova
- Department of Childhood Diseases No. 1 with Neonatology, West Kazakhstan Marat Ospanov Medical University, 68 Maresyev Str., 030000, Aktobe, Republic of Kazakhstan
| | - Botagoz A Zhekeyeva
- Department of Childhood Diseases No. 1 with Neonatology, West Kazakhstan Marat Ospanov Medical University, 68 Maresyev Str., 030000, Aktobe, Republic of Kazakhstan
| | - Klara B Darzhanova
- Department of Normal and Topographic Anatomy with Operative Surgery, West Kazakhstan Marat Ospanov Medical University, 68 Maresyev Str., 030000, Aktobe, Republic of Kazakhstan
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Tulijakov V, Radchenko V, Osinskaja Т, Sirenko А, Fedotova I. [CHANGING IMMUNE STATUS IN PATIENTS WITH REACTIVE SPONDYLOARTHRITIS OF CHLAMIDIAL GENESIS]. Georgian Med News 2022:115-121. [PMID: 35134772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Aim - to identify deviations in immune parameters in patients with reactive chlamydial spondyloarthritis, allowing more targeted correction of immune status and improve the quality of treatment of these patients. A comparative immunological examination of 14 patients with reactive spondyloarthritis of chlamydial etiology before and after specific treatment and practically healthy people was carried out. CIC, lymphocytotoxic and granulocytotoxic antibodies, including autoimmune, LIF including autoantigens (cartilage, bone, sinewy), neutrophilic leukocytes, lymphocytes, IL-1, IL-4, IL-6, TNF-α, CD-3, CD-4, CD-8, CD-25, Ig A, G, M. The immune status of patients before treatment was characterized by a perverse immune response, which was characterized by hyperactivation of the T-lymphocytic link of immunity, impaired suppressive link of the immune system, a tendency to autoimmune aggression, incomplete anti-infectious immunity, and chronic inflammatory process. Antichlamydial treatment with the eradication of the pathogen within 1 month led to a partial normalization of the immune response, normalization of the neutrophilic / lymphocytic ratio and the amount of granulocytotoxic and lymphocytotoxic antibodies. Desensitization of the organism to autoantigens (cartilage and synovial tissue) was observed. Comprehensive analysis of immunological parameters before and after treatment in patients with reactive spondyloarthritis of chlamydial etiology allows monitoring the effectiveness of the treatment and increases its effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Tulijakov
- 1Sytenko Institute of spine and joints pathology National Academy of Medical Science of Ukraine, Department of Spinal Diseases and Injuries; Kharkov, Ukraine
| | - V Radchenko
- 1Sytenko Institute of spine and joints pathology National Academy of Medical Science of Ukraine, Department of Spinal Diseases and Injuries; Kharkov, Ukraine
| | - Т Osinskaja
- 2Institute of dermatology and venerology National Academy of Medical Science of Ukraine, Department of Sexually Transmitted Infections/HIV, Kharkov, Ukraine
| | - А Sirenko
- 1Sytenko Institute of spine and joints pathology National Academy of Medical Science of Ukraine, Department of Spinal Diseases and Injuries; Kharkov, Ukraine
| | - I Fedotova
- 1Sytenko Institute of spine and joints pathology National Academy of Medical Science of Ukraine, Department of Spinal Diseases and Injuries; Kharkov, Ukraine
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Ardizzone CM, Albritton HL, Lillis RA, Bagnetto CEL, Shen L, Cavacini LA, Kozlowski PA, Quayle AJ. Human genital antibody-mediated inhibition of Chlamydia trachomatis infection and evidence for ompA genotype-specific neutralization. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0258759. [PMID: 34662351 PMCID: PMC8523062 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0258759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The endocervix, the primary site of Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) infection in women, has a unique repertoire of locally synthesized IgG and secretory IgA (SIgA) with contributions from serum IgG. Here, we assessed the ability of genital and serum-derived IgG and IgA from women with a recent positive Ct test to neutralize Ct elementary bodies (EBs) and inhibit inclusion formation in vitro in human endocervical epithelial cells. We also determined if neutralization was influenced by the major outer membrane protein (MOMP) of the infecting strain, as indicated by ompA gene sequencing and genotyping. At equivalent low concentrations of Ct EB (D/UW-3/Cx + E/UW-5/Cx)-specific antibody, genital-derived IgG and IgA and serum IgA, but not serum IgG, significantly inhibited inclusion formation, with genital IgA being most effective, followed by genital IgG, then serum IgA. The well-characterized Ct genotype D strain, D/UW-3/Cx, was neutralized by serum-derived IgG from patients infected with genotype D strains, genital IgG from patients infected with genotype D or E strains, and by genital IgA from patients infected with genotype D, E, or F strains. Additionally, inhibition of D/UW-3/Cx infection by whole serum, rather than purified immunoglobulin, was associated with levels of serum EB-specific IgG rather than the genotype of infecting strain. In contrast, a Ct genotype Ia clinical isolate, Ia/LSU-56/Cx, was neutralized by whole serum in a genotype and genogroup-specific manner, and inhibition also correlated with EB-specific IgG concentrations in serum. Taken together, these data suggest that (i) genital IgA most effectively inhibits Ct infection in vitro, (ii) human antibody-mediated inhibition of Ct infection is significantly influenced by the ompA genotype of the infecting strain, (iii) the genital antibody repertoire develops or matures differently compared to systemic antibody, and (iv) ompA genotype-specificity of inhibition of infection by whole serum can be overcome by high concentrations of Ct-specific IgG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caleb M. Ardizzone
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Hannah L. Albritton
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Rebecca A. Lillis
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Caitlyn E. L. Bagnetto
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Li Shen
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Lisa A. Cavacini
- MassBiologics, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Pamela A. Kozlowski
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Alison J. Quayle
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
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Seibert BA, Keel MK, Kelly TR, Nilsen RA, Ciembor P, Pesti D, Gregory CR, Ritchie BW, Hawkins MG. Chlamydia buteonis in birds of prey presented to California wildlife rehabilitation facilities. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0258500. [PMID: 34644359 PMCID: PMC8513822 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0258500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydial infections, caused by a group of obligate, intracellular, gram-negative bacteria, have health implications for animals and humans. Due to their highly infectious nature and zoonotic potential, staff at wildlife rehabilitation centers should be educated on the clinical manifestations, prevalence, and risk factors associated with Chlamydia spp. infections in raptors. The objectives of this study were to document the prevalence of chlamydial DNA shedding and anti-chlamydial antibodies in raptors admitted to five wildlife rehabilitation centers in California over a one-year period. Chlamydial prevalence was estimated in raptors for each center and potential risk factors associated with infection were evaluated, including location, species, season, and age class. Plasma samples and conjunctiva/choana/cloaca swabs were collected for serology and qPCR from a subset of 263 birds of prey, representing 18 species. Serologic assays identified both anti-C. buteonis IgM and anti-chlamydial IgY antibodies. Chlamydial DNA and anti-chlamydial antibodies were detected in 4.18% (11/263) and 3.14% (6/191) of patients, respectively. Chamydial DNA was identified in raptors from the families Accipitridae and Strigidae while anti-C.buteonis IgM was identified in birds identified in Accipitridae, Falconidae, Strigidae, and Cathartidae. Two of the chlamydial DNA positive birds (one Swainson’s hawk (Buteo swainsoni) and one red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)) were necropsied, and tissues were collected for culture. Sequencing of the cultured elementary bodies revealed a chlamydial DNA sequence with 99.97% average nucleotide identity to the recently described Chlamydia buteonis. Spatial clusters of seropositive raptors and raptors positive for chlamydial DNA were detected in northern California. Infections were most prevalent during the winter season. Furthermore, while the proportion of raptors testing positive for chlamydial DNA was similar across age classes, seroprevalence was highest in adults. This study questions the current knowledge on C. buteonis host range and highlights the importance of further studies to evaluate the diversity and epidemiology of Chlamydia spp. infecting raptor populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany A. Seibert
- Department of Avian Science, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Michael K. Keel
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Terra R. Kelly
- Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Roger A. Nilsen
- Infectious Disease Laboratory, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Paula Ciembor
- Infectious Disease Laboratory, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Denise Pesti
- Infectious Disease Laboratory, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Christopher R. Gregory
- Infectious Disease Laboratory, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Branson W. Ritchie
- Infectious Disease Laboratory, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Michelle G. Hawkins
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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10
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Yang C, Lei L, Collins JWM, Briones M, Ma L, Sturdevant GL, Su H, Kashyap AK, Dorward D, Bock KW, Moore IN, Bonner C, Chen CY, Martens CA, Ricklefs S, Yamamoto M, Takeda K, Iwakura Y, McClarty G, Caldwell HD. Chlamydia evasion of neutrophil host defense results in NLRP3 dependent myeloid-mediated sterile inflammation through the purinergic P2X7 receptor. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5454. [PMID: 34526512 PMCID: PMC8443728 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25749-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis infection causes severe inflammatory disease resulting in blindness and infertility. The pathophysiology of these diseases remains elusive but myeloid cell-associated inflammation has been implicated. Here we show NLRP3 inflammasome activation is essential for driving a macrophage-associated endometritis resulting in infertility by using a female mouse genital tract chlamydial infection model. We find the chlamydial parasitophorous vacuole protein CT135 triggers NLRP3 inflammasome activation via TLR2/MyD88 signaling as a pathogenic strategy to evade neutrophil host defense. Paradoxically, a consequence of CT135 mediated neutrophil killing results in a submucosal macrophage-associated endometritis driven by ATP/P2X7R induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Importantly, macrophage-associated immunopathology occurs independent of macrophage infection. We show chlamydial infection of neutrophils and epithelial cells produce elevated levels of extracellular ATP. We propose this source of ATP serves as a DAMP to activate submucosal macrophage NLRP3 inflammasome that drive damaging immunopathology. These findings offer a paradigm of sterile inflammation in infectious disease pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunfu Yang
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Lei Lei
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - John W Marshall Collins
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Michael Briones
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Li Ma
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Gail L Sturdevant
- Laboratory of Virology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Hua Su
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Anuj K Kashyap
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - David Dorward
- Research Technology Branch, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Kevin W Bock
- Infectious Disease Pathogenesis Section, Comparative Medicine Branch, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ian N Moore
- Infectious Disease Pathogenesis Section, Comparative Medicine Branch, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Christine Bonner
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Chih-Yu Chen
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Craig A Martens
- Genomics Unit, Research Technology Branch, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Stacy Ricklefs
- Genomics Unit, Research Technology Branch, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Masahiro Yamamoto
- Department of Immunoparasitology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases (RIMD), Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Takeda
- Laboratory of Mucosal Immunology, WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yoichiro Iwakura
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Grant McClarty
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Harlan D Caldwell
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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11
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Kohn M, Lanfermann C, Laudeley R, Glage S, Rheinheimer C, Klos A. Complement and Chlamydia psittaci: Non-Myeloid-Derived C3 Predominantly Induces Protective Adaptive Immune Responses in Mouse Lung Infection. Front Immunol 2021; 12:626627. [PMID: 33746963 PMCID: PMC7969653 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.626627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in complement research have revolutionized our understanding of its role in immune responses. The immunomodulatory features of complement in infections by intracellular pathogens, e.g., viruses, are attracting increasing attention. Thereby, local production and activation of complement by myeloid-derived cells seem to be crucial. We could recently show that C3, a key player of the complement cascade, is required for effective defense against the intracellular bacterium Chlamydia psittaci. Avian zoonotic strains of this pathogen cause life-threatening pneumonia with systemic spread in humans; closely related non-avian strains are responsible for less severe diseases of domestic animals with economic loss. To clarify how far myeloid- and non-myeloid cell-derived complement contributes to immune response and resulting protection against C. psittaci, adoptive bone marrow transfer experiments focusing on C3 were combined with challenge experiments using a non-avian (BSL 2) strain of this intracellular bacterium. Surprisingly, our data prove that for C. psittaci-induced pneumonia in mice, non-myeloid-derived, circulating/systemic C3 has a leading role in protection, in particular on the development of pathogen-specific T- and B- cell responses. In contrast, myeloid-derived and most likely locally produced C3 plays only a minor, mainly fine-tuning role. The work we present here describes authentic, although less pronounced, antigen directed immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Kohn
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Medical School Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christian Lanfermann
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Medical School Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Robert Laudeley
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Medical School Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Silke Glage
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Medical School Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Claudia Rheinheimer
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Medical School Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Andreas Klos
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Medical School Hannover, Hannover, Germany
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12
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Wang X, Zhang C, Wang S, Rashu R, Thomas R, Yang J, Yang X. SND1 promotes Th1/17 immunity against chlamydial lung infection through enhancing dendritic cell function. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009295. [PMID: 33635920 PMCID: PMC7946287 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
To date, no reports have linked the multifunctional protein, staphylococcal nuclease domain-containing protein 1 (SND1), to host defense against intracellular infections. In this study, we investigated the role and mechanisms of SND1, by using SND1 knockout (SND1-/-) mice, in host defense against the lung infection of Chlamydia muridarum, an obligate intracellular bacterium. Our data showed that SND1-/- mice exhibited significantly greater body weight loss, higher organism growth, and more severe pathological changes compared with wild-type mice following the infection. Further analysis showed significantly reduced Chlamydia-specific Th1/17 immune responses in SND1-/- mice after infection. Interestingly, the dendritic cells (DCs) isolated from SND1-/- mice showed lower costimulatory molecules expression and IL-12 production, but higher IL-10 production compared with those from wild-type control mice. In the DC-T cell co-culture system, DCs isolated from SND1-/- infected mice showed significantly reduced ability to promote Chlamydia-specific IFN-γ producing Th1 cells but enhanced capacity to induce CD4+T cells into Foxp3+ Treg cells. Adoptive transfer of DCs isolated from SND1-/- mice, unlike those from wild-type control mice, failed to protect the recipients against challenge infection. These findings provide in vivo evidence that SND1 plays an important role in host defense against intracellular bacterial infection, and suggest that SND1 can promote Th1/17 immunity and inhibit the expansion of Treg cells through modulation of the function of DCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinting Wang
- Department of Immunology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
- Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology in Tianjin, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Excellent Talent Project, Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Chunyan Zhang
- Department of Immunology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Shuhe Wang
- Department of Immunology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | | | - Rony Thomas
- Department of Immunology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Immunology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
- * E-mail: (JY); (XY)
| | - Xi Yang
- Department of Immunology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
- * E-mail: (JY); (XY)
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13
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Howard S, Richardson S, Benyeogor I, Omosun Y, Dye K, Medhavi F, Lundy S, Adebayo O, Igietseme JU, Eko FO. Differential miRNA Profiles Correlate With Disparate Immunity Outcomes Associated With Vaccine Immunization and Chlamydial Infection. Front Immunol 2021; 12:625318. [PMID: 33692799 PMCID: PMC7937703 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.625318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccine-induced immune responses following immunization with promising Chlamydia vaccines protected experimental animals from Chlamydia-induced upper genital tract pathologies and infertility. In contrast, primary genital infection with live Chlamydia does not protect against these pathologies. We hypothesized that differential miRNA profiles induced in the upper genital tracts (UGT) of mice correlate with the disparate immunity vs. pathologic outcomes associated with vaccine immunization and chlamydial infection. Thus, miRNA expression profiles in the UGT of mice after Chlamydia infection (Live EB) and immunization with dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccine (DC vaccine) or VCG-based vaccine (VCG vaccine) were compared using the NanoString nCounter Mouse miRNA assay. Of the 602 miRNAs differentially expressed (DE) in the UGT of immunized and infected mice, we selected 58 with counts >100 and p-values < 0.05 for further analysis. Interestingly, vaccine immunization and Chlamydia infection induced the expression of distinct miRNA profiles with a higher proportion in vaccine-immunized compared to Chlamydia infected mice; DC vaccine (41), VCG vaccine (23), and Live EB (15). Hierarchical clustering analysis showed notable differences in the uniquely DE miRNAs for each experimental group, with DC vaccine showing the highest number (21 up-regulated, five down-regulated), VCG vaccine (two up-regulated, five down-regulated), and live EB (two up-regulated, four down-regulated). The DC vaccine-immunized group showed the highest number (21 up-regulated and five down-regulated compared to two up-regulated and four down-regulated in the live Chlamydia infected group). Pathway analysis showed that the DE miRNAs target genes that regulate several biological processes and functions associated with immune response and inflammation. These results suggest that the induction of differential miRNA expression plays a significant role in the disparate immunity outcomes associated with Chlamydia infection and vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Howard
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Shakyra Richardson
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Ifeyinwa Benyeogor
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Yusuf Omosun
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Kamran Dye
- Department of Chemistry, Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Fnu Medhavi
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Stephanie Lundy
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Olayinka Adebayo
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Joseph U. Igietseme
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Francis O. Eko
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
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14
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Caspe SG, Livingstone M, Frew D, Aitchison K, Wattegedera SR, Entrican G, Palarea-Albaladejo J, McNeilly TN, Milne E, Sargison ND, Chianini F, Longbottom D. The 1B vaccine strain of Chlamydia abortus produces placental pathology indistinguishable from a wild type infection. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0242526. [PMID: 33196660 PMCID: PMC7668586 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0242526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia abortus is one of the most commonly diagnosed causes of infectious abortion in small ruminants worldwide. Control of the disease (Enzootic Abortion of Ewes or EAE) is achieved using the commercial live, attenuated C. abortus 1B vaccine strain, which can be distinguished from virulent wild-type (wt) strains by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis. Published studies applying this typing method and whole-genome sequence analyses to cases of EAE in vaccinated and non-vaccinated animals have provided strong evidence that the 1B strain is not attenuated and can infect the placenta causing disease in some ewes. Therefore, the objective of this study was to characterise the lesions found in the placentas of ewes vaccinated with the 1B strain and to compare these to those resulting from a wt infection. A C. abortus-free flock of multiparous adult ewes was vaccinated twice, over three breeding seasons, each before mating, with the commercial C. abortus 1B vaccine strain (Cevac® Chlamydia, Ceva Animal Health Ltd.). In the second lambing season following vaccination, placentas (n = 117) were collected at parturition and analysed by C. abortus-specific real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). Two placentas, from a single ewe, which gave birth to live twin lambs, were found to be positive by qPCR and viable organisms were recovered and identified as vaccine type (vt) by PCR-RFLP, with no evidence of any wt strain being present. All cotyledons from the vt-infected placentas were analysed by histopathology and immunohistochemistry and compared to those from wt-infected placentas. Both vt-infected placentas showed lesions typical of those found in a wt infection in terms of their severity, distribution, and associated intensity of antigen labelling. These results conclusively demonstrate that the 1B strain can infect the placenta, producing typical EAE placental lesions that are indistinguishable from those found in wt infected animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Gaston Caspe
- Moredun Research Institute, Penicuik, Midlothian, United Kingdom
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Estación Experimental Mercedes, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Mercedes, Corrientes, Argentina
| | | | - David Frew
- Moredun Research Institute, Penicuik, Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin Aitchison
- Moredun Research Institute, Penicuik, Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | | | - Gary Entrican
- Moredun Research Institute, Penicuik, Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Elspeth Milne
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Neil Donald Sargison
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | | | - David Longbottom
- Moredun Research Institute, Penicuik, Midlothian, United Kingdom
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15
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Helble JD, Mann AO, Starnbach MN. Antigen-specific memory and naïve CD4+ T cells following secondary Chlamydia trachomatis infection. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0240670. [PMID: 33091023 PMCID: PMC7580951 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Memory antigen-specific CD4+ T cells against Chlamydia trachomatis are necessary for protection against secondary genital tract infection. While it is known that naïve antigen-specific CD4+ T cells can traffic to the genital tract in an antigen-specific manner, these T cells are not protective during primary infection. Here, we sought to compare the differences between memory and naïve antigen-specific CD4+ T cells in the same mouse following secondary infection using transgenic CD4+ T cells (NR1 T cells). Using RNA sequencing, we found that there were subtle but distinct differences between these two T cell populations. Naïve NR1 T cells significantly upregulated cell cycle genes and were more proliferative than memory NR1 T cells in the draining lymph node. In contrast, memory NR1 T cells were more activated than naïve NR1 T cells and were enriched in the genital tract. Together, our data provide insight into the differences between memory and naïve antigen-specific CD4+ T cells during C. trachomatis infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer D. Helble
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Alexander O. Mann
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Michael N. Starnbach
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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16
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Horne AW, Wheelhouse N, Horner PJ, Duncan WC. Association of Past Chlamydia trachomatis Infection With Miscarriage. JAMA Netw Open 2020; 3:e2018799. [PMID: 33026447 PMCID: PMC7542304 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.18799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
This case-control study assesses the association between past Chlamydia trachomatis infection with first-trimester miscarriage by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect antibodies to the protein Pgp3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew W. Horne
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, Queen's Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Bioquarter, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Nick Wheelhouse
- School of Applied Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Patrick J. Horner
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - W. Colin Duncan
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, Queen's Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Bioquarter, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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17
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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18
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McQueen BE, Kiatthanapaiboon A, Fulcher ML, Lam M, Patton K, Powell E, Kollipara A, Madden V, Suchland RJ, Wyrick P, O'Connell CM, Reidel B, Kesimer M, Randell SH, Darville T, Nagarajan UM. Human Fallopian Tube Epithelial Cell Culture Model To Study Host Responses to Chlamydia trachomatis Infection. Infect Immun 2020; 88:e00105-20. [PMID: 32601108 PMCID: PMC7440757 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00105-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis infection of the human fallopian tubes can lead to damaging inflammation and scarring, ultimately resulting in infertility. To study the human cellular responses to chlamydial infection, researchers have frequently used transformed cell lines that can have limited translational relevance. We developed a primary human fallopian tube epithelial cell model based on a method previously established for culture of primary human bronchial epithelial cells. After protease digestion and physical dissociation of excised fallopian tubes, epithelial cell precursors were expanded in growth factor-containing medium. Expanded cells were cryopreserved to generate a biobank of cells from multiple donors and cultured at an air-liquid interface. Culture conditions stimulated cellular differentiation into polarized mucin-secreting and multiciliated cells, recapitulating the architecture of human fallopian tube epithelium. The polarized and differentiated cells were infected with a clinical isolate of C. trachomatis, and inclusions containing chlamydial developmental forms were visualized by fluorescence and electron microscopy. Apical secretions from infected cells contained increased amounts of proteins associated with chlamydial growth and replication, including transferrin receptor protein 1, the amino acid transporters SLC3A2 and SLC1A5, and the T-cell chemoattractants CXCL10, CXCL11, and RANTES. Flow cytometry revealed that chlamydial infection induced cell surface expression of T-cell homing and activation proteins, including ICAM-1, VCAM-1, HLA class I and II, and interferon gamma receptor. This human fallopian tube epithelial cell culture model is an important tool with translational potential for studying cellular responses to Chlamydia and other sexually transmitted pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan E McQueen
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Amy Kiatthanapaiboon
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - M Leslie Fulcher
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Mariam Lam
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Kate Patton
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Emily Powell
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Avinash Kollipara
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Victoria Madden
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Robert J Suchland
- University of Washington, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Priscilla Wyrick
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Catherine M O'Connell
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Boris Reidel
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Mehmet Kesimer
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Scott H Randell
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Toni Darville
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Uma M Nagarajan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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19
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Wattegedera SR, Livingstone M, Maley S, Rocchi M, Lee S, Pang Y, Wheelhouse NM, Aitchison K, Palarea-Albaladejo J, Buxton D, Longbottom D, Entrican G. Defining immune correlates during latent and active chlamydial infection in sheep. Vet Res 2020; 51:75. [PMID: 32487248 PMCID: PMC7268686 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-020-00798-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovine enzootic abortion (OEA) caused by the obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen Chlamydia abortus (C. abortus), is an endemic disease in most sheep-rearing countries worldwide. Following infection, C. abortus establishes a complex host-pathogen interaction with a latent phase in non-pregnant sheep followed by an active disease phase in the placenta during pregnancy leading to OEA. Improved knowledge of the host-pathogen interactions at these different phases of disease will accelerate the development of new diagnostic tests and vaccines to control OEA. Current evidence indicates that cellular immunity is essential for controlling C. abortus infection. We have previously described a model of mucosal (intranasal) infection of non-pregnant sheep with C. abortus that replicates the latent and active phases of OEA. We have investigated antigen-specific recall responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in sheep infected with C. abortus via the intranasal route to determine how these change during the latent and active phases of disease. By analysing cytokines associated with the major CD4+ve Thelper (Th) cell subsets (Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)/Th1; Interleukin (IL)-4/Th2; IL-17A/Th17; IL-10/Tregulatory), we show that there is selective activation of PBMC producing IFN-γ and/or IL-10 during the latent phase following infection. These cytokines are also elevated during the active disease phase and while they are produced by sheep that are protected from OEA, they are also produced by sheep that abort, highlighting the difficulties in finding specific cellular immunological correlates of protection for complex intracellular pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean R. Wattegedera
- Moredun Research Institute, International Research Centre, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Scotland EH26 0PZ UK
| | - Morag Livingstone
- Moredun Research Institute, International Research Centre, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Scotland EH26 0PZ UK
| | - Stephen Maley
- Moredun Research Institute, International Research Centre, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Scotland EH26 0PZ UK
| | - Mara Rocchi
- Moredun Research Institute, International Research Centre, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Scotland EH26 0PZ UK
| | - Susan Lee
- Moredun Research Institute, International Research Centre, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Scotland EH26 0PZ UK
| | - Yvonne Pang
- Moredun Research Institute, International Research Centre, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Scotland EH26 0PZ UK
| | - Nick M. Wheelhouse
- School of Applied Sciences, Napier University, Edinburgh, Scotland EH11 4BN UK
| | - Kevin Aitchison
- Moredun Research Institute, International Research Centre, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Scotland EH26 0PZ UK
| | - Javier Palarea-Albaladejo
- Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland, JCMB, The King’s Buildings, Peter Guthrie Tait Road, Edinburgh, Scotland EH9 3FD UK
| | - David Buxton
- Moredun Research Institute, International Research Centre, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Scotland EH26 0PZ UK
| | - David Longbottom
- Moredun Research Institute, International Research Centre, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Scotland EH26 0PZ UK
| | - Gary Entrican
- Moredun Research Institute, International Research Centre, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Scotland EH26 0PZ UK
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, Scotland EH25 9RG UK
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Lee JM, Mayall JR, Chevalier A, McCarthy H, Van Helden D, Hansbro PM, Horvat JC, Jobling P. Chlamydia muridarum infection differentially alters smooth muscle function in mouse uterine horn and cervix. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2020; 318:E981-E994. [PMID: 32315215 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00513.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis infection is a primary cause of reproductive tract diseases including infertility. Previous studies showed that this infection alters physiological activities in mouse oviducts. Whether this occurs in the uterus and cervix has never been investigated. This study characterized the physiological activities of the uterine horn and the cervix in a Chlamydia muridarum (Cmu)-infected mouse model at three infection time points of 7, 14, and 21 days postinfection (dpi). Cmu infection significantly decreased contractile force of spontaneous contraction in the cervix (7 and 14 dpi; P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively), but this effect was not observed in the uterine horn. The responses of the uterine horn and cervix to oxytocin were significantly altered by Cmu infection at 7 dpi (P < 0.0001), but such responses were attenuated at 14 and 21 dpi. Cmu infection increased contractile force to prostaglandin (PGF2α) by 53-83% in the uterine horn. This corresponded with the increased messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression of Ptgfr that encodes for its receptor. However, Cmu infection did not affect contractions of the uterine horn and cervix to PGE2 and histamine. The mRNA expression of Otr and Ptger4 was inversely correlated with the mRNA expression of Il1b, Il6 in the uterine horn of Cmu-inoculated mice (P < 0.01 to P < 0.001), suggesting that the changes in the Otr and Ptger4 mRNA expression might be linked to the changes in inflammatory cytokines. Lastly, this study also showed a novel physiological finding of the differential response to PGE2 in mouse uterine horn and cervix.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Ming Lee
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jemma R Mayall
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Healthy Lungs, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Anne Chevalier
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Healthy Lungs, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Huw McCarthy
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Healthy Lungs, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Dirk Van Helden
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Philip M Hansbro
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Healthy Lungs, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
- Centenary Institute and the University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jay C Horvat
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Healthy Lungs, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Phillip Jobling
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, Australia
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21
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Helble JD, Gonzalez RJ, von Andrian UH, Starnbach MN. Gamma Interferon Is Required for Chlamydia Clearance but Is Dispensable for T Cell Homing to the Genital Tract. mBio 2020; 11:e00191-20. [PMID: 32184237 PMCID: PMC7078466 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00191-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
While there is no effective vaccine against Chlamydia trachomatis infection, previous work has demonstrated the importance of C. trachomatis-specific CD4+ T cells (NR1 T cells) in pathogen clearance. Specifically, NR1 T cells have been shown to be protective in mice, and this protection depends on the host's ability to sense the cytokine gamma interferon (IFN-γ). However, it is unclear what role NR1 production or sensing of IFN-γ plays in T cell homing to the genital tract or T cell-mediated protection against C. trachomatis Using two-photon microscopy and flow cytometry, we found that naive wild-type (WT), IFN-γ-/-, and IFN-γR-/- NR1 T cells specifically home to sections in the genital tract that contain C. trachomatis We also determined that protection against infection requires production of IFN-γ from either NR1 T cells or endogenous cells, further highlighting the importance of IFN-γ in clearing C. trachomatis infection.IMPORTANCEChlamydia trachomatis is an important mucosal pathogen that is the leading cause of sexually transmitted bacterial infections in the United States. Despite this, there is no vaccine currently available. In order to develop such a vaccine, it is necessary to understand the components of the immune response that can lead to protection against this pathogen. It is well known that antigen-specific CD4+ T cells are critical for Chlamydia clearance, but the contexts in which they are protective or not protective are unknown. Here, we aimed to characterize the importance of gamma interferon production and sensing by T cells and the effects on the immune response to C. trachomatis Our work here helps to define the contexts in which antigen-specific T cells can be protective, which is critical to our ability to design an effective and protective vaccine against C. trachomatis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer D Helble
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rodrigo J Gonzalez
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ulrich H von Andrian
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Michael N Starnbach
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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22
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Keck J, Chambers JP, Kancharla A, Bashir DH, Henley L, Schenkel K, Castillo K, Neal Guentzel M, Gupta R, Arulanandam BP. The Role of MicroRNA-155 in Chlamydia muridarum Infected lungs. Microbes Infect 2020; 22:360-365. [PMID: 32084556 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2020.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Our laboratory has investigated the role of an evolutionarily conserved RNA species called microRNAs (miRs) in regulation of anti-chlamydial protective immunity. MiRs including miR-155 expressed in specific immune effector cells are critical for antigen specific protective immunity and IFN-γ production. Using miR-155 deficient mice, and a murine pulmonary model for chlamydial infection, we report here 1) the effect of host miR-155 on bacterial burden, and 2) identify probable immune genes regulated by miR-155.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathon Keck
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX, 78249, USA
| | - James P Chambers
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX, 78249, USA
| | - Aravind Kancharla
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX, 78249, USA
| | - Dona Haj Bashir
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX, 78249, USA
| | - Laura Henley
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX, 78249, USA
| | - Katherine Schenkel
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX, 78249, USA
| | - Kevin Castillo
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX, 78249, USA
| | - M Neal Guentzel
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX, 78249, USA
| | - Rishein Gupta
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX, 78249, USA.
| | - Bernard P Arulanandam
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX, 78249, USA.
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23
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Masha SC, Owuor C, Ngoi JM, Cools P, Sanders EJ, Vaneechoutte M, Crucitti T, de Villiers EP. Comparative analysis of the vaginal microbiome of pregnant women with either Trichomonas vaginalis or Chlamydia trachomatis. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0225545. [PMID: 31830061 PMCID: PMC6907840 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0225545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Although the significance of the human vaginal microbiome for health and disease is increasingly acknowledged, there is paucity of data on the differences in the composition of the vaginal microbiome upon infection with different sexually transmitted pathogens. Method The composition of the vaginal bacterial community of women with Trichomonas vaginalis (TV, N = 18) was compared to that of women with Chlamydia trachomatis (CT, N = 14), and to that of controls (N = 21) (women negative for TV, CT and bacterial vaginosis). The vaginal bacterial composition was determined using high throughput sequencing with the Ion 16S metagenomics kit of the variable regions 2, 4 and 8 of the bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA gene from the vaginal swab DNA extract of the women. QIIME and R package “Phyloseq” were used to assess the α- and β-diversity and absolute abundance of the 16S rRNA gene per sample in the three groups. Differences in taxa at various levels were determined using the independent T-test. Results A total of 545 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were identified in all the three groups of which 488 occurred in all three groups (core OTUs). Bacterial α-diversity, by both Simpson’s and Shannon’s indices, was significantly higher, (p = 0.056) and (p = 0.001) respectively, among women with either TV or CT than among controls (mean α-diversity TV-infected > CT-infected > Controls). At the genus level, women infected with TV had a significantly (p < 0.01) higher abundance of Parvimonas and Prevotella species compared to both controls and CT-infected women, whereas women infected with CT had a significantly (p < 0.05) higher abundance of Anaerococcus, Collinsella, Corynebacterium and Dialister. Conclusion The vaginal microbiomes of TV and CT-infected women were markedly different from each other and from women without TV and CT. Future studies should determine whether the altered microbiomes are merely markers of disease, or whether they actively contribute to the pathology of the two genital infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Chengo Masha
- KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Centre for Geographic Medicine Research-Coast, Kilifi, Kenya
- Laboratory for Bacteriology Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biological Sciences, Pwani University, Kilifi, Kenya
- * E-mail:
| | - Collins Owuor
- KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Centre for Geographic Medicine Research-Coast, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Joyce Mwongeli Ngoi
- KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Centre for Geographic Medicine Research-Coast, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Piet Cools
- Laboratory for Bacteriology Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Eduard J. Sanders
- KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Centre for Geographic Medicine Research-Coast, Kilifi, Kenya
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Mario Vaneechoutte
- Laboratory for Bacteriology Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tania Crucitti
- HIV/STI Reference Laboratory, Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Etienne P. de Villiers
- KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Centre for Geographic Medicine Research-Coast, Kilifi, Kenya
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine Research Building, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Department of Public Health, Pwani University, Kilifi, Kenya
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24
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Cheong HC, Yap PSX, Chong CW, Cheok YY, Lee CYQ, Tan GMY, Sulaiman S, Hassan J, Sabet NS, Looi CY, Gupta R, Arulanandam B, AbuBakar S, Teh CSJ, Chang LY, Wong WF. Diversity of endocervical microbiota associated with genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection and infertility among women visiting obstetrics and gynecology clinics in Malaysia. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0224658. [PMID: 31738795 PMCID: PMC6860443 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The cervical microbiota constitutes an important protective barrier against the invasion of pathogenic microorganisms. A disruption of microbiota within the cervical milieu has been suggested to be a driving factor of sexually transmitted infections. These include Chlamydia trachomatis which frequently causes serious reproductive sequelae such as infertility in women. In this study, we profiled the cervical microbial composition of a population of 70 reproductive-age Malaysian women; among which 40 (57.1%) were diagnosed with genital C. trachomatis infection, and 30 (42.8%) without C. trachomatis infection. Our findings showed a distinct compositional difference between the cervical microbiota of C. trachomatis-infected subjects and subjects without C. trachomatis infection. Specifically, significant elevations of mostly strict and facultative anaerobes such as Streptococcus, Megasphaera, Prevotella, and Veillonella in the cervical microbiota of C. trachomatis-positive women were detected. The results from the current study highlights an interaction of C. trachomatis with the environmental microbiome in the endocervical region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heng Choon Cheong
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Polly Soo Xi Yap
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Chun Wie Chong
- School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Yi Ying Cheok
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Chalystha Yie Qin Lee
- 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
| | - Sofiah Sulaiman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Jamiyah Hassan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | | | - Chung Yeng Looi
- School of Bioscience, Taylor’s University, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
- * E-mail: (WFW); (CYL)
| | - Rishein Gupta
- Center of Excellence in Infection Genomics, South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
| | - Bernard Arulanandam
- Center of Excellence in Infection Genomics, South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
| | - Sazaly AbuBakar
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Tropical Infectious Disease Research and Education Center, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Cindy Shuan Ju Teh
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Li Yen Chang
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Won Fen Wong
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- * E-mail: (WFW); (CYL)
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25
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McEntee CP, Moran HBT, Muñoz-Wolf N, Liddicoat AM, Carroll EC, Erbo-Wern J, Coulter IS, Andersen P, Follmann F, Lavelle EC. Type I IFN signalling is required for cationic adjuvant formulation (CAF)01-induced cellular immunity and mucosal priming. Vaccine 2019; 38:635-643. [PMID: 31727505 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.10.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Revised: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Despite being in the midst of a global pandemic of infections caused by the pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis, a vaccine capable of inducing protective immunity remains elusive. Given the C. trachomatis mucosal port of entry, a formulation compatible with mucosal administration and capable of eliciting potent genital tract immunity is highly desirable. While subunit vaccines are considered safer and better tolerated, these are typically poorly immunogenic and require co-formulation with immune-potentiating adjuvants. However, of the adjuvants licensed for use in humans, very few drive robust cellular responses, a pre-requisite for protection against C. trachomatis infection. Recently, the cationic adjuvant formulations (CAF) have been shown to induce robust humoral and cellular immunity in pre-clinical models of chlamydia, malaria and tuberculosis (TB). Here, we demonstrate that CAF01 induces potent immune responses when combined with the major outer membrane protein (MOMP) of C. trachomatis following parenteral immunisation and also as part of a heterologous prime/boost regime. We show that a subcutaneous prime with CAF01-adjuvanted recombinant MOMP licenses antigen-specific immunity at distant mucosal sites which can be activated following oral antigen re-encounter in the absence of concomitant adjuvant stimulation. Finally, we shed light on the mechanism(s) through which CAF01 elicits robust antigen-specific immunity to co-formulated MOMP via type I interferon (IFN) signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig P McEntee
- Adjuvant Research Group, School of Biochemistry & Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Hannah B T Moran
- Adjuvant Research Group, School of Biochemistry & Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Natalia Muñoz-Wolf
- Adjuvant Research Group, School of Biochemistry & Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Alex M Liddicoat
- Adjuvant Research Group, School of Biochemistry & Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Elizabeth C Carroll
- Adjuvant Research Group, School of Biochemistry & Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jeanette Erbo-Wern
- Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Adjuvant Research, Staten Serum Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ivan S Coulter
- Sigmoid Pharma, The Invent Centre, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Peter Andersen
- Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Adjuvant Research, Staten Serum Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Frank Follmann
- Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Adjuvant Research, Staten Serum Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ed C Lavelle
- Adjuvant Research Group, School of Biochemistry & Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland; Centre for Research on Adaptive Nanostructures and Nanodevices (CRANN), Advanced Materials and BioEngineering Research Centre (AMBER), Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.
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26
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O'Neill LM, Keane OM, Ross PJ, Nally JE, Seshu J, Markey B. Evaluation of protective and immune responses following vaccination with recombinant MIP and CPAF from Chlamydia abortus as novel vaccines for enzootic abortion of ewes. Vaccine 2019; 37:5428-5438. [PMID: 31375438 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.06.088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Revised: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
MIP and CPAF from Chlamydia have been shown to be effective in inducing immune responses important in clearing chlamydial infections. This study evaluates the protection conferred by MIP and CPAF as novel vaccines in pregnant C. abortus challenged ewes. Fifty C. abortus sero-negative sheep were randomly allocated into 5 groups of 10 according to the treatment they were to receive (1) 100 µg of MBP-MIP (2) 100 µg CPAF (3) 50 µg MBP-MIP and 50 µg CPAF (4) Tris-buffer (negative control) (5) Enzovax (positive control). Booster inoculations were administered 3 weeks after primary inoculations. Blood samples were taken pre-vaccination and weekly for 5 weeks. Five months after vaccination the ewes were mated. Pregnant ewes were then challenged on day 90 of gestation. Blood samples taken at four time-points post challenge were analysed for IFNγ levels, TNFα and IL-10 expression and anti-chlamydial antibody levels. Vaginal swabs, placental and foetal tissue and bacterial shedding were analysed using qPCR to quantify levels of C. abortus. Enzovax was 100% effective with no abortions occurring. The MIP/CPAF combined vaccine offered the greatest protection of the novel vaccines with 67% of ewes giving birth to one or more live lambs equating to a 50% vaccine efficacy rate. MIP and CPAF administered singly did not confer protection. Enzovax and MIP/CPAF vaccinated ewes had longer gestations and lambs with higher birth weights than negative control ewes. Aborting ewes shed higher numbers of C. abortus than ewes that had live lambs, all vaccinated ewes demonstrated lower levels of bacterial shedding than negative control ewes with Enzovax ewes shedding significantly fewer bacteria. Ewes that went on to abort had significantly higher levels of IFNγ and IL-10 at day 35 post challenge and significantly higher levels of anti-chlamydial antibodies at 24 h post lambing compared to ewes that had live lambs.
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Affiliation(s)
- L M O'Neill
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland; Animal & Bioscience Department, Teagasc Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland.
| | - O M Keane
- Animal & Bioscience Department, Teagasc Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - P J Ross
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Central Veterinary Research Laboratory, Backweston, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - J E Nally
- Infectious Bacterial Diseases, National Animal Disease Center, Agriculture Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, USA
| | - J Seshu
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Centre of Excellence in Infection Genomics and Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - B Markey
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
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Ramadhani AM, Derrick T, Macleod D, Massae P, Malisa A, Mbuya K, Mtuy T, Makupa W, Roberts CH, Bailey RL, Mabey DCW, Holland MJ, Burton MJ. Ocular immune responses, Chlamydia trachomatis infection and clinical signs of trachoma before and after azithromycin mass drug administration in a treatment naïve trachoma-endemic Tanzanian community. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007559. [PMID: 31306419 PMCID: PMC6658141 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2018] [Revised: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trachoma, caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, remains the leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide. Persistence and progression of the resulting clinical disease appears to be an immunologically mediated process. Azithromycin, which is distributed at the community level for trachoma control, has immunomodulatory properties. We investigated the impact of one round of oral azithromycin on conjunctival immune responses, C. trachomatis infection and clinical signs three- and six- months post treatment relative to three pre-treatment time-points. METHODOLOGY A cohort of children aged 6 to 10 years were recruited from a trachoma endemic region of northern Tanzania and were visited five times in a 12-month period. They were examined for clinical signs of trachoma and conjunctival swabs were collected for laboratory analysis. C. trachomatis infection was detected and the expression of 46 host genes was quantified using quantitative PCR. All community members were offered azithromycin treatment immediately after the six-month timepoint according to international guidelines. FINDINGS The prevalence of C. trachomatis infection and inflammatory disease signs were significantly reduced three- and six- months post-mass drug administration (MDA). C. trachomatis infection was strongly associated with clinical signs at all five time-points. A profound anti-inflammatory effect on conjunctival gene expression was observed 3 months post-MDA, however, gene expression had largely returned to pre-treatment levels of variation by 6 months. This effect was less marked, but still observed, after adjusting for C. trachomatis infection and when the analysis was restricted to individuals who were free from both infection and clinical disease at all five time-points. Interestingly, a modest effect was also observed in individuals who did not receive treatment. CONCLUSION Conjunctival inflammation is the major clinical risk factor for progressive scarring trachoma, therefore, the reduction in inflammation associated with azithromycin treatment may be beneficial in limiting the development of potentially blinding disease sequelae. Future work should seek to determine whether this effect is mediated directly through inhibition of pro-inflammatory intracellular signalling molecules, through reductions in concurrent, sub-clinical infections, and/or through reduction of infection exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athumani M. Ramadhani
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Tamsyn Derrick
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - David Macleod
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Aiweda Malisa
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Kelvin Mbuya
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Tara Mtuy
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
| | | | - Chrissy H. Roberts
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robin L. Bailey
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - David C. W. Mabey
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Martin J. Holland
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew J. Burton
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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Lin H, He C, Koprivsek JJ, Chen J, Zhou Z, Arulanandam B, Xu Z, Tang L, Zhong G. Antigen-Specific CD4 + T Cell-Derived Gamma Interferon Is Both Necessary and Sufficient for Clearing Chlamydia from the Small Intestine but Not the Large Intestine. Infect Immun 2019; 87:e00055-19. [PMID: 30962403 PMCID: PMC6529659 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00055-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The genital tract pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis is frequently detected in the gastrointestinal tract, but the host immunity that regulates chlamydial colonization in the gut remains unclear. In a Chlamydia muridarum-C57 mouse model, chlamydial organisms are cleared from the genital tract in ∼4 weeks, but the genital organisms can spread to the gastrointestinal tract. We found that the gastrointestinal chlamydial organisms were cleared from the small intestine by day 28, paralleling their infection course in the genital tract, but persisted in the large intestine for long periods. Mice deficient in α/β T cells or CD4+ T cells but not CD8+ T cells showed chlamydial persistence in the small intestine, indicating a critical role for CD4+ T cells in clearing Chlamydia from the small intestine. The CD4+ T cell-dependent clearance is likely mediated by gamma interferon (IFN-γ), since mice deficient in IFN-γ but not interleukin 22 (IL-22) signaling pathways rescued chlamydial colonization in the small intestine. Furthermore, exogenous IFN-γ was sufficient for clearing Chlamydia from the small intestine but not the large intestine. Mice deficient in developing Chlamydia-specific Th1 immunity showed chlamydial persistence in the small intestine. Finally, IFN-γ-producing CD4+ but not CD8+ T cells from immunized donor mice were sufficient for eliminating Chlamydia from the small intestine but not the large intestine of recipient mice. Thus, we have demonstrated a critical role for Th1 immunity in clearing Chlamydia from the small intestine but not the large intestine, indicating that chlamydial colonization in different regions of the gastrointestinal tract is regulated by distinct immune mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Lin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, 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
| | - Conghui He
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - John J Koprivsek
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Jianlin Chen
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhiguang Zhou
- Department of Metabolism & Endocrinology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Bernard Arulanandam
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Zhenming Xu
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Lingli Tang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, 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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Blakney AK, McKay PF, Christensen D, Yus BI, Aldon Y, Follmann F, Shattock RJ. Effects of cationic adjuvant formulation particle type, fluidity and immunomodulators on delivery and immunogenicity of saRNA. J Control Release 2019; 304:65-74. [PMID: 31071377 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2019.04.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Revised: 04/07/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) is well suited as a vaccine platform against chlamydia, as it is relatively affordable and scalable, has been shown to induce immunity against multivalent antigens, and can result in protein expression for up to 60 days. Cationic adjuvant formulations (CAFs) have been previously investigated as an adjuvant for protein subunit vaccines; here we optimize the CAFs for delivery of saRNA in vivo and observe the immunogenicity profile in the context of both cellular and humoral immunity against the major outer membrane protein (MOMP) of Chlamydia trachomatis. We tested both liposomal and emulsion based CAFs with solid and fluid phase lipids, with or without the TLR agonists R848 and 3M-052, for in vitro transfection efficiency and cytotoxicity. We then optimized the RNA/delivery system ratio for in vivo delivery using saRNA coding for firefly luciferase (fLuc) as a reporter protein in vivo. We observed that while the fluid phase liposome formulations showed the highest in vitro transfection efficiency, the fluid and solid phase liposomes had equivalent luciferase expression in vivo. Incorporation of R848 or 3M-052 into the formulation was not observed to affect the delivery efficiency of saRNA either in vitro or in vivo. MOMP-encoding saRNA complexed with CAFs resulted in both MOMP-specific cellular and humoral immunity, and while there was a slight enhancement of IFN-γ+ T-cell responses when R848 was incorporated into the formulation, the self-adjuvanting effects of RNA appeared to dominate the immune response. These studies establish that CAFs are efficient delivery vehicles for saRNA both for in vitro transfections and in vivo immunogenicity and generate cellular and humoral responses that are proportionate to protein expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna K Blakney
- Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Paul F McKay
- Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Dennis Christensen
- Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Yoann Aldon
- Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Frank Follmann
- Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Harvey E, Madden D, Polkinghorne A, Holmes EC. Identification of A Novel Picorna-Like Virus, Burpengary Virus, that is Negatively Associated with Chlamydial Disease in the Koala. Viruses 2019; 11:E211. [PMID: 30832350 PMCID: PMC6466430 DOI: 10.3390/v11030211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) are native Australian marsupials whose populations are in decline from a range of threats. Infectious diseases caused by the bacterium Chlamydia pecorum and other pathogens are of particular concern. We analysed 26 poly-A selected RNA-sequencing libraries from a data set designed to study the immune response of koalas to ocular chlamydial infection. Using virus discovery techniques, we identified the coding-complete genome sequence of a novel picorna-like virus, denoted Burpengary virus, that was most common in south-east Queensland. Notably, abundance measurements of the virus across all 26 libraries revealed an inverse relationship between abundance and ocular disease in koalas, suggesting that the co-infection of Burpengary virus and Chlamydia pecorum is inhibited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Harvey
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Charles Perkins Centre, School of Life and Environmental Sciences and Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
| | - Danielle Madden
- Animal Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD 4556, Australia.
| | - Adam Polkinghorne
- Animal Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD 4556, Australia.
| | - Edward C Holmes
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Charles Perkins Centre, School of Life and Environmental Sciences and Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
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31
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Murall CL, Jackson R, Zehbe I, Boulle N, Segondy M, Alizon S. Epithelial stratification shapes infection dynamics. PLoS Comput Biol 2019; 15:e1006646. [PMID: 30673699 PMCID: PMC6361466 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1006646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Revised: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Infections of stratified epithelia contribute to a large group of common diseases, such as dermatological conditions and sexually transmitted diseases. To investigate how epithelial structure affects infection dynamics, we develop a general ecology-inspired model for stratified epithelia. Our model allows us to simulate infections, explore new hypotheses and estimate parameters that are difficult to measure with tissue cell cultures. We focus on two contrasting pathogens: Chlamydia trachomatis and Human papillomaviruses (HPV). Using cervicovaginal parameter estimates, we find that key infection symptoms can be explained by differential interactions with the layers, while clearance and pathogen burden appear to be bottom-up processes. Cell protective responses to infections (e.g. mucus trapping) generally lowered pathogen load but there were specific effects based on infection strategies. Our modeling approach opens new perspectives for 3D tissue culture experimental systems of infections and, more generally, for developing and testing hypotheses related to infections of stratified epithelia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Robert Jackson
- Probe Development and Biomarker Exploration, Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
- Biotechnology Program, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ingeborg Zehbe
- Probe Development and Biomarker Exploration, Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Biology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nathalie Boulle
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic Infections, INSERM, EFS, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Michel Segondy
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic Infections, INSERM, EFS, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Samuel Alizon
- Laboratoire MIVEGEC (UMR CNRS 5290, IRD, UM), Montpellier, France
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32
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Lausen M, Christiansen G, Bouet Guldbæk Poulsen T, Birkelund S. Immunobiology of monocytes and macrophages during Chlamydia trachomatis infection. Microbes Infect 2018; 21:73-84. [PMID: 30528899 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2018.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Revised: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Infections caused by the intracellular bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis are a global health burden affecting more than 100 million people annually causing damaging long-lasting infections. In this review, we will present and discuss important aspects of the interaction between C. trachomatis and monocytes/macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mads Lausen
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 3b, 9220 Aalborg Ø, Denmark.
| | - Gunna Christiansen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Wilhelms Meyers Allé 4, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Svend Birkelund
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 3b, 9220 Aalborg Ø, Denmark
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Poston TB, O'Connell CM, Girardi J, Sullivan JE, Nagarajan UM, Marinov A, Scurlock AM, Darville T. T Cell-Independent Gamma Interferon and B Cells Cooperate To Prevent Mortality Associated with Disseminated Chlamydia muridarum Genital Tract Infection. Infect Immun 2018; 86:e00143-18. [PMID: 29661927 PMCID: PMC6013674 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00143-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
CD4 T cells and antibody are required for optimal acquired immunity to Chlamydia muridarum genital tract infection, and T cell-mediated gamma interferon (IFN-γ) production is necessary to clear infection in the absence of humoral immunity. However, the role of T cell-independent immune responses during primary infection remains unclear. We investigated this question by inoculating wild-type and immune-deficient mice with C. muridarum CM001, a clonal isolate capable of enhanced extragenital replication. Genital inoculation of wild-type mice resulted in transient dissemination to the lungs and spleen that then was rapidly cleared from these organs. However, CM001 genital infection proved lethal for STAT1-/- and IFNG-/- mice, in which IFN-γ signaling was absent, and for Rag1-/- mice, which lacked T and B cells and in which innate IFN-γ signaling was retained. In contrast, B cell-deficient muMT mice, which can generate a Th1 response, and T cell-deficient mice with intact B cell and innate IFN-γ signaling survived. These data collectively indicate that IFN-γ prevents lethal CM001 dissemination in the absence of T cells and suggests a B cell corequirement. Adoptive transfer of convalescent-phase immune serum but not naive IgM to Rag1-/- mice infected with CM001 significantly increased the survival time, while transfer of naive B cells completely rescued Rag1-/- mice from CM001 lethality. Protection was associated with a significant reduction in the lung chlamydial burden of genitally infected mice. These data reveal an important cooperation between T cell-independent B cell responses and innate IFN-γ in chlamydial host defense and suggest that interactions between T cell-independent antibody and IFN-γ are essential for limiting extragenital dissemination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor B Poston
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Catherine M O'Connell
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jenna Girardi
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jeanne E Sullivan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Uma M Nagarajan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Anthony Marinov
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Amy M Scurlock
- Department of Pediatrics, Arkansas Children's Hospital, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Toni Darville
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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Morrison SG, Giebel AM, Toh EC, Spencer HJ, Nelson DE, Morrison RP. Chlamydia muridarum Genital and Gastrointestinal Infection Tropism Is Mediated by Distinct Chromosomal Factors. Infect Immun 2018; 86:e00141-18. [PMID: 29661932 PMCID: PMC6013670 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00141-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2018] [Accepted: 04/12/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Some members of the genus Chlamydia, including the human pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis, infect multiple tissues, including the genital and gastrointestinal (GI) tracts. However, it is unknown if bacterial targeting to these sites is mediated by multifunctional or distinct chlamydial factors. We previously showed that disruption of individual large clostridial toxin homologs encoded within the Chlamydia muridarum plasticity zone were not critical for murine genital tract infection. Here, we assessed whether cytotoxin genes contribute to C. muridarum GI tropism. Infectivity and shedding of wild-type (WT) C. muridarum and three mutants containing nonsense mutations in different cytotoxin genes, tc0437, tc0438, and tc0439, were compared in mouse genital and GI infection models. One mutant, which had a nonsense mutation in tc0439, was highly attenuated for GI infection and had a GI 50% infectious dose (ID50) that was 1,000 times greater than that of the WT. GI inoculation with this mutant failed to elicit anti-chlamydial antibodies or to protect against subsequent genital tract infection. Genome sequencing of the tc0439 mutant revealed additional chromosomal mutations, and phenotyping of additional mutants suggested that the GI attenuation might be linked to a nonsense mutation in tc0600 The molecular mechanism underlying this dramatic difference in tissue-tropic virulence is not fully understood. However, isolation of these mutants demonstrates that distinct chlamydial chromosomal factors mediate chlamydial tissue tropism and provides a basis for vaccine initiatives to isolate chlamydia strains that are attenuated for genital infection but retain the ability to colonize the GI tract and elicit protective immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra G Morrison
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Amanda M Giebel
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Evelyn C Toh
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Horace J Spencer
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - David E Nelson
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Richard P Morrison
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
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Nyari S, Khan SA, Rawlinson G, Waugh CA, Potter A, Gerdts V, Timms P. Vaccination of koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) against Chlamydia pecorum using synthetic peptides derived from the major outer membrane protein. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0200112. [PMID: 29953523 PMCID: PMC6023247 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0200112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia pecorum is a mucosal infection, which causes debilitating disease of the urinary tract, reproductive tract and ocular sites of koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). While antibiotics are available for treatment, they are detrimental to the koalas' gastrointestinal tract microflora leaving the implementation of a vaccine as an ideal option for the long-term management of koala populations. We have previously reported on the successes of an anti-chlamydial recombinant major outer membrane protein (rMOMP) vaccine however, recombinant protein based vaccines are not ideal candidates for scale up from the research level to small-medium production level for wider usage. Peptide based vaccines are a promising area for vaccine development, because peptides are stable, cost effective and easily produced. In this current study, we assessed, for the first time, the immune responses to a synthetic peptide based anti-chlamydial vaccine in koalas. Five healthy male koalas were vaccinated with two synthetic peptides derived from C. pecorum MOMP and another five healthy male koalas were vaccinated with full length recombinant C. pecorum MOMP (genotype G). Systemic (IgG) and mucosal (IgA) antibodies were quantified and pre-vaccination levels compared to post-vaccination levels (12 and 26 weeks). MOMP-peptide vaccinated koalas produced Chlamydia-specific IgG and IgA antibodies, which were able to recognise not only the genotype used in the vaccination, but also MOMPs from several other koala C. pecorum genotypes. In addition, IgA antibodies induced at the ocular site not only recognised recombinant MOMP protein but also, whole native chlamydial elementary bodies. Interestingly, some MOMP-peptide vaccinated koalas showed a stronger and more sustained vaccine-induced mucosal IgA antibody response than observed in MOMP-protein vaccinated koalas. These results demonstrate that a synthetic MOMP peptide based vaccine is capable of inducing a Chlamydia-specific antibody response in koalas and is a promising candidate for future vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Nyari
- Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
| | - Shahneaz Ali Khan
- Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
| | - Galit Rawlinson
- Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Fig Tree Pocket, Queensland, Australia
| | - Courtney A. Waugh
- Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
| | - Andrew Potter
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organisation–International Vaccine Centre (VIDO-InterVac), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - Volker Gerdts
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organisation–International Vaccine Centre (VIDO-InterVac), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - Peter Timms
- Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
- * E-mail:
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Rodrigues L, Raftopoulos KN, Tandrup Schmidt S, Schneider F, Dietz H, Rades T, Franzyk H, Pedersen AE, Papadakis CM, Christensen D, Winter G, Foged C, Hubert M. Immune responses induced by nano-self-assembled lipid adjuvants based on a monomycoloyl glycerol analogue after vaccination with the Chlamydia trachomatis major outer membrane protein. J Control Release 2018; 285:12-22. [PMID: 29964134 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2018.06.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2018] [Revised: 06/21/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Nanocarriers based on inverse hexagonal liquid crystalline phases (hexosomes) show promising potential as vaccine delivery systems. Their unique internal structure, composed of both lipophilic domains and water-containing channels, renders them capable of accommodating immunopotentiating compounds and antigens. However, their adjuvant properties are poorly understood. We hypothesized that the supramolecular structure of the lyotropic liquid crystalline phase influences the immunostimulatory activity of lipid-based nanocarriers. To test this, hexosomes were designed containing the lipid phytantriol (Phy) and the immunopotentiator monomycoloyl glycerol-1 (MMG-1). Self-assembly of Phy and MMG-1 into nanocarriers featuring an internal hexagonal phase was confirmed by small-angle X-ray scattering and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy. The effect of the nanostructure on the adjuvant activity was studied by comparing the immunogenicity of Phy/MMG-1 hexosomes with MMG-1-containing lamellar liquid crystalline nanoparticles (liposomes, CAF04). The quality and magnitude of the elicited immune responses were determined after vaccination of CB6/F1 mice using the Chlamydia trachomatis major outer membrane protein (MOMP) as antigen. MMG-1-based hexosomes potentiated significantly stronger MOMP-specific humoral responses than CAF04 liposomes. The liposome-based vaccine formulation induced a much stronger MOMP-specific cell-mediated immune response compared to hexosome-adjuvanted MOMP, which elicited minimal MOMP-specific T-cell stimulation after vaccination. Hence, our data demonstrates that hexosomal and liposomal adjuvants activate the immune system via different mechanisms. Our work provides valuable insights into the adjuvant potential of hexosomes and emphasizes that engineering of the supramolecular structure can be used to design adjuvants with customized immunological properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letícia Rodrigues
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstraße 5-13, DE-81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Konstantinos N Raftopoulos
- Physics Department, Soft Matter Physics Group, Technische Universität München, James-Franck-Straße 1, DE-85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Signe Tandrup Schmidt
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark; Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Vaccine Adjuvant Research, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, DK-2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Fabian Schneider
- Physics Department, Institute for Advanced Study, Walter Schottky Institute, Technische Universität München, Am Coulombwall 4a, DE-85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Hendrik Dietz
- Physics Department, Institute for Advanced Study, Walter Schottky Institute, Technische Universität München, Am Coulombwall 4a, DE-85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Thomas Rades
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Henrik Franzyk
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Jagtvej 162, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Anders Elm Pedersen
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christine M Papadakis
- Physics Department, Soft Matter Physics Group, Technische Universität München, James-Franck-Straße 1, DE-85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Dennis Christensen
- Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Vaccine Adjuvant Research, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, DK-2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Gerhard Winter
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstraße 5-13, DE-81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Camilla Foged
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Madlen Hubert
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstraße 5-13, DE-81377 Munich, Germany.
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Hufnagel K, Lueong S, Willhauck-Fleckenstein M, Hotz-Wagenblatt A, Miao B, Bauer A, Michel A, Butt J, Pawlita M, Hoheisel JD, Waterboer T. Immunoprofiling of Chlamydia trachomatis using whole-proteome microarrays generated by on-chip in situ expression. Sci Rep 2018; 8:7503. [PMID: 29760479 PMCID: PMC5951824 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-25918-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 04/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Using Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) as a complex model organism, we describe a method to generate bacterial whole-proteome microarrays using cell-free, on-chip protein expression. Expression constructs were generated by two successive PCRs directly from bacterial genomic DNA. Bacterial proteins expressed on microarrays display antigenic epitopes, thereby providing an efficient method for immunoprofiling of patients and allowing de novo identification of disease-related serum antibodies. Through comparison of antibody reactivity patterns, we newly identified antigens recognized by known Ct-seropositive samples, and antigens reacting only with samples from cervical cancer (CxCa) patients. Large-scale validation experiments using high-throughput suspension bead array serology confirmed their significance as markers for either general Ct infection or CxCa, supporting an association of Ct infection with CxCa. In conclusion, we introduce a method for generation of fast and efficient proteome immunoassays which can be easily adapted for other microorganisms in all areas of infection research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Hufnagel
- Division of Molecular Diagnostics of Oncogenic Infections (F020), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
- Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Smiths Lueong
- Division of Molecular Diagnostics of Oncogenic Infections (F020), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Martina Willhauck-Fleckenstein
- Division of Molecular Diagnostics of Oncogenic Infections (F020), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Agnes Hotz-Wagenblatt
- Genomics Proteomics Core Facility HUSAR Bioinformatics Lab, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Beiping Miao
- Division of Functional Genome Analysis (B070), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andrea Bauer
- Division of Functional Genome Analysis (B070), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Angelika Michel
- Division of Molecular Diagnostics of Oncogenic Infections (F020), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Julia Butt
- Division of Molecular Diagnostics of Oncogenic Infections (F020), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Pawlita
- Division of Molecular Diagnostics of Oncogenic Infections (F020), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jörg D Hoheisel
- Division of Functional Genome Analysis (B070), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tim Waterboer
- Division of Molecular Diagnostics of Oncogenic Infections (F020), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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Madden D, Whaite A, Jones E, Belov K, Timms P, Polkinghorne A. Koala immunology and infectious diseases: How much can the koala bear? Dev Comp Immunol 2018; 82:177-185. [PMID: 29382557 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2018.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2017] [Revised: 01/24/2018] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Infectious diseases are contributing to the decline of the iconic Australian marsupial, the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus). Infections with the obligate intracellular bacteria, Chlamydia pecorum, cause debilitating ocular and urogenital-tract disease while the koala-retrovirus (KoRV) has been implicated in host immunosuppression and exacerbation of chlamydial pathogenesis. Although histological studies have provided insight into the basic architecture of koala immune tissues, our understanding of the koala immune response to infectious disease has been limited, until recently, by a lack of species-specific immune reagents. Recent advances in the characterisation of key immune genes have focused on advancing our understanding of the immune response to Chlamydia infection, revealing commonalities in disease pathologies and immunity between koalas and other hosts and paving the way for the development of a koala Chlamydia vaccine. This review summarises these recent findings and highlights key aspects of the koala immune system requiring further attention with particular regard to their most prominent infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Madden
- Animal Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs 4556, Australia.
| | - Alessandra Whaite
- Animal Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs 4556, Australia.
| | - Elizabeth Jones
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
| | - Katherine Belov
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
| | - Peter Timms
- Animal Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs 4556, Australia.
| | - Adam Polkinghorne
- Animal Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs 4556, Australia.
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Patton DL, Sweeney YC, Baldessari AE, Cles L, Kari L, Sturdevant GL, Yang C, Caldwell HD. The Chlamydia trachomatis Plasmid and CT135 Virulence Factors Are Not Essential for Genital Tract Infection or Pathology in Female Pig-Tailed Macaques. Infect Immun 2018; 86:e00121-18. [PMID: 29463617 PMCID: PMC5913843 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00121-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2018] [Accepted: 02/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The Chlamydia trachomatis plasmid and inclusion membrane protein CT135 are virulence factors in the pathogenesis of murine female genital tract infection. To determine if these virulence factors play a similar role in female nonhuman primates, we infected pig-tailed macaques with the same C. trachomatis strains shown to be important in the murine model. Wild-type C. trachomatis and its isogenic mutant strain deficient in both plasmid and CT135 were used to infect macaques. Macaques were given primary and repeated cervicovaginal challenges with the wild-type and mutant strains. The infection rate, infection duration, and antibody response were similar among macaques infected with both strains. Unexpectedly, colposcopy, laparoscopy, and histologic analysis revealed no substantial genital tract pathology following either primary or repeated cervicovaginal challenges. Cytokine analysis of cervicovaginal secretions from both challenged groups revealed low concentrations of interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and elevated levels of the interleukin 1 receptor agonist (IL-1RA). We propose that an imbalance of IL-1β and IL-1RA in macaques is the reason for the mild inflammatory responses observed in infected urogenital tissues. Thus, understanding the pathobiology of chlamydial infection requires a better understanding of host epigenetic and chlamydial genetic factors. Our findings also have implications for understanding the high frequency of asymptomatic infections in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorothy L Patton
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Yvonne C Sweeney
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Audrey E Baldessari
- Washington National Primate Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Linda Cles
- Chlamydia Reference Laboratory, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Laszlo Kari
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Gail L Sturdevant
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Chunfu Yang
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Harlan D Caldwell
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Sahu R, Verma R, Dixit S, Igietseme JU, Black CM, Duncan S, Singh SR, Dennis VA. Future of human Chlamydia vaccine: potential of self-adjuvanting biodegradable nanoparticles as safe vaccine delivery vehicles. Expert Rev Vaccines 2018; 17:217-227. [PMID: 29382248 PMCID: PMC6330895 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2018.1435279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There is a persisting global burden and considerable public health challenge by the plethora of ocular, genital and respiratory diseases caused by members of the Gram-negative bacteria of the genus Chlamydia. The major diseases are conjunctivitis and blinding trachoma, non-gonococcal urethritis, cervicitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, tubal factor infertility, and interstitial pneumonia. The failures in screening and other prevention programs led to the current medical opinion that an efficacious prophylactic vaccine is the best approach to protect humans from chlamydial infections. Unfortunately, there is no human Chlamydia vaccine despite successful veterinary vaccines. A major challenge has been the effective delivery of vaccine antigens to induce safe and effective immune effectors to confer long-term protective immunity. The dawn of the era of biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles and the adjuvanted derivatives may accelerate the realization of the dream of human vaccine in the foreseeable future. AREAS COVERED This review focuses on the current status of human chlamydial vaccine research, specifically the potential of biodegradable polymeric nanovaccines to provide efficacious Chlamydia vaccines in the near future. EXPERT COMMENTARY The safety of biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles-based experimental vaccines with or without adjuvants and the array of available chlamydial vaccine candidates would suggest that clinical trials in humans may be imminent. Also, the promising results from vaccine testing in animal models could lead to human vaccines against trachoma and reproductive diseases simultaneously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajnish Sahu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, USA
| | - Richa Verma
- Department of Biological Sciences, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, USA
| | - Saurabh Dixit
- Department of Biological Sciences, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, USA
| | - Joseph U. Igietseme
- National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Carolyn M Black
- National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Skyla Duncan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, USA
| | - Shree R Singh
- Department of Biological Sciences, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, USA
| | - Vida A Dennis
- Department of Biological Sciences, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, USA
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Galkin OY, Besarab AB, Lutsenko TN. Characteristics of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of IgG antibodies specific to Сhlamydia trachomatis heat shock protein (HSP-60). Ukr Biochem J 2018; 89:22-30. [PMID: 29236386 DOI: 10.15407/ubj89.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The goal of this work was to study sensitivity and specificity of the developed ELISA set for the identification of IgG antibodies against Chlamydia trachomatis HSP-60 (using biotinylated tyramine-based signal amplification system). The study was conducted using a panel of characterized sera, as well as two reference ELISA sets of similar purpose. According to the results of ELISA informative value parameters, the ELISA we have developed showed the highest specificity and sensitivity parameters (no false negative or false positive results were registered). In 4 out of 15 intralaboratory panel serum samples initially identified as negative, anti-HSP-60 IgG-antibodies test result in reference ELISA sets upon dilution changed from negative to positive. The nature of titration curves of false negative sera and commercial monoclonal antibodies А57-В9 against C. trachomatis HSP-60 after incubation for 24 h was indicative of the presence of anti-idiotypic antibodies in these samples. Upon sera dilution, idiotypic-anti-idiotypic complexes dissociated, which caused the change of test result. High informative value of the developed ELISA set for identification of IgG antibodies against C. trachomatis HSP-60 has been proven. Anti-idiotypic antibodies possessing C. trachomatis anti-HSP-60 activity and being one of the causes of false negative results of the relevant ELISA-based tests have been identified in blood sera of individuals infected with chlamydial genitourinary infection agents.
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Abstract
Since the concept of the inflammasome was introduced by Martinon, Burns and Tschopp in 2002, there has been an exponential increase in our understanding of how inflammasomes (caspase activating molecular platforms) regulate innate inflammatory responses to infectious microorganisms. Advances in understanding inflammasome biology have been developed using a range of bacterial pathogens. Recent studies investigating inflammasome responses during Chlamydia infection have provided interesting mechanistic insights in to inflammasome activation during intracellular bacterial infection. This review highlights new concepts regulating inflammasome activation to bacterial infections including: interferon-regulated loss of compartmentalisation, mechanisms of canonical and non-canonical inflammasome activation and their relevance to Chlamydia infections are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steve J Webster
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK.
| | - Jane C Goodall
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK.
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McKeithen DN, Omosun YO, Ryans K, Mu J, Xie Z, Simoneaux T, Blas-machado U, Eko FO, Black CM, Igietseme JU, He Q. The emerging role of ASC in dendritic cell metabolism during Chlamydia infection. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0188643. [PMID: 29216217 PMCID: PMC5720709 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0188643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Accepted: 11/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is a bacterial agent that causes sexually transmitted infections worldwide. The regulatory functions of dendritic cells (DCs) play a major role in protective immunity against Chlamydia infections. Here, we investigated the role of ASC in DCs metabolism and the regulation of DCs activation and function during Chlamydia infection. Following Chlamydia stimulation, maturation and antigen presenting functions were impaired in ASC-/- DCs compared to wild type (WT) DCs, in addition, ASC deficiency induced a tolerant phenotype in Chlamydia stimulated DCs. Using real-time extracellular flux analysis, we showed that activation in Chlamydia stimulated WT DCs is associated with a metabolic change in which mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) is inhibited and the cells become committed to utilizing glucose through aerobic glycolysis for differentiation and antigen presenting functions. However, in ASC-/- DCs Chlamydia-induced metabolic change was prevented and there was a significant effect on mitochondrial morphology. The mitochondria of Chlamydia stimulated ASC-/- DCs had disrupted cristae compared to the normal narrow pleomorphic cristae found in stimulated WT DCs. In conclusion, our results suggest that Chlamydia-mediated activation of DCs is associated with a metabolic transition in which OXPHOS is inhibited, thereby dedicating the DCs to aerobic glycolysis, while ASC deficiency disrupts DCs function by inhibiting the reprogramming of DCs metabolism within the mitochondria, from glycolysis to electron transport chain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle N. McKeithen
- Department Microbiology, Biochemistry, and, Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
- Department of Biology, Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Yusuf O. Omosun
- Department Microbiology, Biochemistry, and, Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Khamia Ryans
- Department Microbiology, Biochemistry, and, Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
- Department of Biology, Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Jing Mu
- Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Zhonglin Xie
- Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Tankya Simoneaux
- Department Microbiology, Biochemistry, and, Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Uriel Blas-machado
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Georgia, Atlanta, United States of America
| | - Francis O. Eko
- Department Microbiology, Biochemistry, and, Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Carolyn M. Black
- National Center for Emerging Zoonotic and Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Joseph U. Igietseme
- Department Microbiology, Biochemistry, and, Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
- National Center for Emerging Zoonotic and Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Qing He
- Department Microbiology, Biochemistry, and, Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Bommana S, Walker E, Desclozeaux M, Timms P, Polkinghorne A. Humoral immune response against two surface antigens of Chlamydia pecorum in vaccinated and naturally infected sheep. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0188370. [PMID: 29190736 PMCID: PMC5708773 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0188370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia pecorum is a globally recognised livestock pathogen due to the significant clinical and economic impact it poses to livestock producers. Routine serological diagnosis is through a complement fixation test (CFT), which is often criticised for cross-reactivity, poor sensitivity and specificity. Although serology remains the preferred method in veterinary diagnostic laboratories, serological assays based on surface antigens of C. pecorum have not been established until now. In this study, we evaluated the use of two chlamydial recombinant protein antigens (PmpG and MOMP-G) by a direct IgG ELISA method for detection of ovine anti-chlamydial antibodies. Using the Pepscan method we then identified B cell epitopes across PmpG and MOMP-G proteins, in lambs with (a) naturally occurring asymptomatic C. pecorum infections (b) C. pecorum-associated polyarthritis and (c) recombinant PmpG and MOMP-G vaccine. Plasma IgG antibodies to PmpG in natural infection of lambs were detected earlier in infection than CFT and served as an acute phase marker. Antibodies to MOMP-G IgG were significantly heightened in lambs with C. pecorum-associated polyarthritis. PmpG and MOMP-G specific B-cell epitope mapping revealed epitope responses in immunised lambs cluster with some of the epitope responses in naturally infected lambs. B-cell epitope mapping further revealed that lambs with polyarthritis recognised several unique PmpG (50% frequency, peptide 8, 25, 40, 41 and 50) and MOMP (50% frequency, peptide 50) epitopes in comparison to asymptomatic infections. The findings of this study will have implications towards improved serodiagnosis of C. pecorum infections in livestock and inform the downstream development of alternative peptide-based antigens for future C. pecorum vaccine studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sankhya Bommana
- Centre for Animal Health Innovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Australia
| | - Evelyn Walker
- Centre for Animal Health Innovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Australia
- Central West Local Land Services, Dubbo, Australia
| | - Marion Desclozeaux
- Centre for Animal Health Innovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Australia
| | - Peter Timms
- Centre for Animal Health Innovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Australia
| | - Adam Polkinghorne
- Centre for Animal Health Innovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Australia
- * E-mail:
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Poston TB, Qu Y, Girardi J, O'Connell CM, Frazer LC, Russell AN, Wall M, Nagarajan UM, Darville T. A Chlamydia-Specific TCR-Transgenic Mouse Demonstrates Th1 Polyfunctionality with Enhanced Effector Function. J Immunol 2017; 199:2845-2854. [PMID: 28855311 PMCID: PMC5770186 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1700914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Accepted: 08/07/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Chlamydia is responsible for millions of new infections annually, and current efforts focus on understanding cellular immunity for targeted vaccine development. The Chlamydia-specific CD4 T cell response is characterized by the production of IFN-γ, and polyfunctional Th1 responses are associated with enhanced protection. A major limitation in studying these responses is the paucity of tools available for detection, quantification, and characterization of polyfunctional Ag-specific T cells. We addressed this problem by developing a TCR-transgenic (Tg) mouse with CD4 T cells that respond to a common Ag in Chlamydia muridarum and Chlamydia trachomatis Using an adoptive-transfer approach, we show that naive Tg CD4 T cells become activated, proliferate, migrate to the infected tissue, and acquire a polyfunctional Th1 phenotype in infected mice. Polyfunctional Tg Th1 effectors demonstrated enhanced IFN-γ production compared with polyclonal cells, protected immune-deficient mice against lethality, mediated bacterial clearance, and orchestrated an anamnestic response. Adoptive transfer of Chlamydia-specific CD4 TCR-Tg T cells with polyfunctional capacity offers a powerful approach for analysis of protective effector and memory responses against chlamydial infection and demonstrates that an effective monoclonal CD4 T cell response may successfully guide subunit vaccination strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor B Poston
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599; and
| | - Yanyan Qu
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15224
| | - Jenna Girardi
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599; and
| | - Catherine M O'Connell
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599; and
| | - Lauren C Frazer
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599; and
| | - Ali N Russell
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599; and
| | - McKensie Wall
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599; and
| | - Uma M Nagarajan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599; and
| | - Toni Darville
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599; and
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Eledge MR, Yeruva L. Host and pathogen interface: microRNAs are modulators of disease outcome. Microbes Infect 2017; 20:410-415. [PMID: 28889971 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2017.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2017] [Revised: 08/03/2017] [Accepted: 08/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Chlamydiae are a group of intracellular bacterium that infect a range of hosts and are responsible for the most common sexual transmitted infections, which could be the result of a plethora of factors leading to varied pathological outcomes. This review aims to show that Chlamydia possibly manipulates host defenses through microRNAs interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael R Eledge
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA; Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, USA; Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Laxmi Yeruva
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA; Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, USA; Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center, Little Rock, AR, USA.
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48
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Albritton HL, Kozlowski PA, Lillis RA, McGowin CL, Siren JD, Taylor SN, Ibana JA, Buckner LR, Shen L, Quayle AJ. A novel whole-bacterial enzyme linked-immunosorbant assay to quantify Chlamydia trachomatis specific antibodies reveals distinct differences between systemic and genital compartments. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0183101. [PMID: 28797112 PMCID: PMC5552291 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0183101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2017] [Accepted: 07/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is the leading sexually transmitted bacterial infection. The continued global burden of CT infection strongly predicates the need for a vaccine to supplement current chlamydial control programs. The correlates of protection against CT are currently unknown, but they must be carefully defined to guide vaccine design. The localized nature of chlamydial infection in columnar epithelial cells of the genital tract necessitates investigation of immunity at the site of infection. The purpose of this study was to develop a sensitive whole bacterial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to quantify and compare CT-specific IgG and IgA in sera and genital secretions from CT-infected women. To achieve this, elementary bodies (EBs) from two of the most common genital serovars (D and E) were attached to poly-L-lysine-coated microtiter plates with glutaraldehyde. EB attachment and integrity were verified by the presence of outer membrane antigens and the absence of bacterial cytoplasmic antigens. EB-specific IgG and IgA standards were developed by pooling sera with high titers of CT-specific antibodies from infected women. Serum, endocervical and vaginal secretions, and endocervical cytobrush specimens from CT-infected women were used to quantify CT-specific IgG and IgA which were then normalized to total IgG and IgA, respectively. Analyses of paired serum and genital samples revealed significantly higher proportions of EB-specific antibodies in genital secretions compared to sera. Cervical and vaginal secretions and cytobrush specimens had similar proportions of EB-specific antibodies, suggesting any one of these genital sampling techniques could be used to quantify CT-specific antibodies when appropriate normalization methodologies are implemented. Overall, these results illustrate the need to investigate genital tract CT antibody responses, and our assay provides a useful quantitative tool to assess natural immunity in defined clinical groups and CT vaccine trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah L. Albritton
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States of America
| | - Pamela A. Kozlowski
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States of America
| | - Rebecca A. Lillis
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States of America
| | - Chris L. McGowin
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States of America
| | - Julia D. Siren
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States of America
| | - Stephanie N. Taylor
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States of America
| | - Joyce A. Ibana
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States of America
- Institute of Biology, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, National Capital Region, Philippines
| | - Lyndsey R. Buckner
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States of America
| | - Li Shen
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States of America
| | - Alison J. Quayle
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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49
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Abstract
Ascension to the oviduct is necessary for Chlamydia to induce tubal infertility. Using the Chlamydia muridarum induction of hydrosalpinx mouse model, we have demonstrated a significant role of the uterotubal junction in preventing chlamydial ascending infection. First, delivery of C. muridarum to either side of the uterotubal junction resulted in significant reduction in live organisms from the tissues on the opposite sides. However, the recovery yields remained similar among different sections of the uterine horn. These observations suggest that the uterotubal junction may function as a barrier between the uterine horn and oviduct. Second, deficiency in innate immunity signaling pathways mediated by either MyD88 or STING significantly compromised the uterotubal junction barrier function, permitting C. muridarum to spread freely between uterine horn and oviduct. Finally, transcervical inoculation of C. muridarum led to significantly higher incidence of bilateral hydrosalpinges in the STING-deficient mice while the same inoculation mainly induced unilateral hydrosalpinx in the wild type mice, suggesting that the STING pathway-dependent uterotubal junction plays a significant role in preventing tubal pathology. Thus, we have demonstrated for the first time that the uterotubal junction is a functional barrier for preventing tubal infection by a sexually transmitted agent, providing the first in vivo evidence for detecting chlamydial infection by the STING pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuyang Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, PR China
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
| | - Lili Shao
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
| | - Xiaodong Li
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
| | - Guangming Zhong
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Romano S, Fratini S, Di Pietro M, Schiavoni G, Nicoletti M, Chiarotti F, Del Piano M, Penco M, Sessa R. Chlamydia Pneumoniae Infection in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Clinical and Serological 1-Year Follow-Up. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 2017; 17:209-18. [PMID: 15171822 DOI: 10.1177/039463200401700213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in pathogenesis and prognostic stratification of patients with acute coronary syndromes is still unclear. However, a limitation of many studies is the evaluation of the long-term prognostic role of a sample obtained during the acute phase, whereas the assessment of the temporal trend of antibody titers could be more useful. One-hundred and fourteen consecutive patients with acute coronary syndromes (71 with acute myocardial infarction and 43 with unstable angina) were studied. Blood samples were obtained immediately after hospital admission and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after the acute event. The microimmunofluorescence test was used to detect C. pneumoniae specific antibodies. The incidence of new coronary events (death, myocardial infarction, recurrent angina) was recorded during the 1-year follow-up period. No significant difference was found between patients with (n = 35) or without (n = 79) new coronary events (N.C.E.) regarding baseline and serial values of C. pneumoniae antibodies. The rate of high titers at any time of follow-up was also similar in the two groups: IgG ≥1:512 were present in 52%, 64%, 55% and 32% of N.C.E.+ patients, and in 48%, 54%, 52% and 36% of N.C.E.- patients at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months respectively; IgA ≥ 1:256 were present in 26%, 23%, 30% and 23% of N.C.E.+ patients and in 20%, 30%, 25% and 19% of N.C.E.- patients at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months respectively. Our data indicate that elevated titers of C. pneumoniae antibodies, even with a serial 1-year evaluation, are not a predictor of future coronary events in patients with acute myocardial infarction or unstable angina.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Romano
- Dept Internal Medicine, Cardiology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
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