Characterization of Chlamydia muridarum TC0668 Protein: Localization, Expression, and Inflammation-Inducing Effects on Host Cell.

The objective of this study is to elucidate the basic biological properties and function of TC0668 in vitro. Laser confocal microscopy and immune-electron microscopy were used to detect localization of TC0668 in Chlamydia-infected human epithelial cells, while the expression phase was investigated by qRT-PCR and western blot analysis. Protein array technology was employed to evaluate differences in cytokine secretion between cells infected with tc0668 single mutants and those infected with tc0668 null mutants.

Insights Into Host Cell Cytokines in Infection.

Chlamydial infection causes a number of clinically relevant diseases and induces significant morbidity in humans. Immune and inflammatory responses contribute to both the clearance of infection and pathology in host tissues. infection stimulates host cells to produce a large number of cytokines that trigger and regulate host immune responses against .