[The apoptosis-supressing activity of clamydia].

The paper covers data from literature, concerning the influence of bacteria upon apoptosis program of host's cells. The mechanisms of apoptosis induction and suppression, developed by bacteria and directed towards the maintenance of conditions favorable to the infection, are quite varied. These mechanisms are realized via complex interaction between biologically active bacterial molecules and particular targets of signal paths which lead to apoptosis. In intracellular parasitism the apoptosis-suppressing activity of bacteria may be considered to be one of the mechanisms of pathogenic organism's persistence which provide favorable conditions for the development of chronic infections. Infection caused by C. pneumoniae in human fibroblasts has been experimentally demonstrated to protect the cells from spontaneous and induced apoptosis.