Progesterone activates multiple innate immune pathways in Chlamydia trachomatis-infected endocervical cells.

Problem: Susceptibility to Chlamydia trachomatis infection is increased by oral contraceptives and modulated by sex hormones. We therefore sought to determine the effects of female sex hormones on the innate immune response to C. trachomatis infection.

Characterization of in vitro Chlamydia muridarum persistence and utilization in an in vivo mouse model of Chlamydia vaccine.

Problem: Chlamydia trachomatis genital tract infections are easily treated with antibiotics; however, the majority of infections are asymptomatic and therefore untreated, highlighting the need for a vaccine. Because most infections are asymptomatic, vaccination could potentially be administered to individuals who may have an acute infection at that time. In such individuals, the effect of vaccination on the existing infection is unknown; however, one potential outcome could be the development of a persistent infection.

CD4+ T cells reduce the tissue burden of Chlamydia muridarum in male BALB/c mice.

Male chlamydial infections are becoming more recognised as an aetiological agent in infertility. An IFN-gamma response is required for protection against Chlamydia in females, but may have the potential to induce pathology in the immune-privileged male reproductive tract. We examined the induction of immunity following intranasal immunisation with major outer membrane protein (MOMP) of Chlamydia muridarum in male BALB/c mice, and the role of MOMP-specific CD4+ T cells in clearance of an intrapenile infection.

Chlamydia muridarum major outer membrane protein-specific antibodies inhibit in vitro infection but enhance pathology in vivo.

Problem: Chlamydia trachomatis is a significant worldwide health problem, and the often-asymptomatic disease can result in infertility. To develop a successful vaccine, a complete understanding of the immune response to chlamydial infection and development of genital tract pathology is required.

Method Of Study: We utilized the murine genital model of chlamydial infection.

CTA1-DD is an effective adjuvant for targeting anti-chlamydial immunity to the murine genital mucosa.

Chlamydia trachomatis is a significant human pathogen with potentially severe disease sequelae in the genital tract, including infertility. A successful vaccine will need to effectively target immunity to the genital mucosa. Intranasal immunisation with cholera toxin (CT) can target immunity to the genital tract, but has the potential to cause neurological side effects.

Effects of inoculating dose on the kinetics of Chlamydia muridarum genital infection in female mice.

Chlamydia trachomatis infections have been implicated in problems such as pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility in females. Although there are some studies examining the kinetics of ascending infection, there is limited information on the kinetics of pathology development and cellular infiltrate into the reproductive tissues in relation to the effects of inoculating dose, and a better understanding of these is needed. The murine model of female genital tract Chlamydia muridarum infection is frequently used as a model of human C.

Poly-immunoglobulin receptor-mediated transport of IgA into the male genital tract is important for clearance of Chlamydia muridarum infection.

Problem: Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide. While infection in females requires a Th1 response for clearance, such a response in males may disrupt the immune privileged nature of the male reproductive tract, potentially contributing to infertility.

Method Of Study: We investigated the role of IgA in protection against an intrapenile Chlamydia muridarum infection of C57BL/6 and pIgR-/- mice.

Male genital tract chlamydial infection: implications for pathology and infertility.

Chlamydia trachomatis infections are prevalent worldwide, but current research, screening, and treatment are focused on females, with the burden of disease and infertility sequelae considered to be a predominantly female problem. The prevalence of chlamydial infection, however, is similar in males and females. Furthermore, a role for this pathogen in the development of male urethritis, epididymitis, and orchitis is widely accepted.

Caspase-3 activation and ERK phosphorylation during CVB3 infection of cells: influence of the coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor and engineered variants.

Caspase activation and MAP kinase signaling have been implicated in coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) pathogenesis, and both have been demonstrated late in the virus life cycle. We studied activation of caspase-3, an effector protease of apoptosis, and ERK phosphorylation, indicative of MAPK signaling pathway activation, following CVB3 infection of cells that express the coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor (CAR) or CAR constructs lacking the cytoplasmic domain, and cells which express no detectable CAR. These experiments showed that a burst of caspase-3 activity preceded lysis of CVB3-infected cells expressing CAR, irrespective of the CAR cytoplasmic domain.