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Selvaraj J, Perumal S, Rex J, Mohan SK, Suga SSD, Rekh UV, Vishnupriya V, Vijayalakshmi P, Ponnulakshmi R. The porin AaxA protein model from Chlamydia pneumonia. Bioinformation 2021; 16:786-788. [PMID: 34675464 PMCID: PMC8503770 DOI: 10.6026/97320630016786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydophila pneumoniae is an intracellular pathogen accountable for various acute respiratory infections. C. pneumoniae has a gene cluster which encodes a putative outer membrane porin (aaxA), arginine decarboxylase (CPn1032 or aaxB) and a putative
cytoplasmic membrane transporter (CPn1031 or aaxC). Therefore, it is of interest to document a molecular protein model of porin AaxA from Chlamydia pneumonia to gain structure to functional insight on the protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayaraman Selvaraj
- Department of Biochemistry, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai - 600 077, India
| | - Srinivasan Perumal
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Vels Institute of Science Technology and Advanced Studies (VISTAS), Pallavaram, Chennai- 600 117, India
| | - Josephine Rex
- Department of Biochemistry, Panimalar Medical College Hospital & Research Institute, Varadharajapuram, Poonamallee, Chennai - 600 123, India
| | - Surapaneni Krishna Mohan
- Department of Biochemistry, Panimalar Medical College Hospital & Research Institute, Varadharajapuram, Poonamallee, Chennai - 600 123, India
| | - Sumetha Suga Deiva Suga
- PG & Research Department of Biotechnology & Bioinformatics, Holy Cross College (Autonomous), Trichy- 620002, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Umapathy Vidhya Rekh
- Central Research Laboratory, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research, Chennai-600 078, India
| | - Veeraraghavan Vishnupriya
- Department of Biochemistry, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai - 600 077, India
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2
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Cavallo S. Immune-mediated genesis of multiple sclerosis. J Transl Autoimmun 2020; 3:100039. [PMID: 32743522 PMCID: PMC7388381 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtauto.2020.100039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Revised: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is widely acknowledged to be an autoimmune disease affecting the neuronal myelin structure of the CNS. Autoantigens recognized as the target of this autoimmune process are: myelin basal protein, anti-proteolipid protein, antimyelin-associated glycoprotein and antimyelin-based oligodendrocytic basic protein. Ample evidence supports the idea of a dysregulation of immunological tolerance towards self-antigens of neuronal myelin structure triggered by one or more viral or bacterial microbial agents in predisposed HLA gene subjects. Genetic predisposition to MS has been highlighted by numerous studies associating the disease to specific HLA haplotypes. Moreover, a wide range of evidence supports the fact that MS may be consequence of one or more viral or bacterial infections such as measles virus, EBV, HHV6, HZV, Chlamydia pneumoniae, Helicobacter Pylori, and other microbial agents. Microbiota elements also seems to have a role on the determinism of the disease as a pathogenic or protective factor. The autoimmune pathogenetic process could arise when a molecular mimicry between a foreign microbial antigen and an auto-antigen occurs in an HLA gene subject competent for that particular antigen. The antigen-presenting cells in this case would induce the activation of a specific Th clone causing a cross-reaction between a foreign antigen and an autoantigen resulting in an autoimmune response. A multifactorial ethiopathogenetic model based on immunomediation is a reliable hypothesis for multiple sclerosis. Evidence found in the scientific literature makes it possible to reconstruct this etiopathogenetic hypothesis for MS. HLA gene predisposition, correlation with infections, molecular mimicry and other immunological data are reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Cavallo
- Expert Doctor in Non-Conventional Medicine, Professor and Member of the Board of the MMS, MMS (Medicina di Modulazione Dei Sistemi) Roma, Salvatore Cavallo Via G.B. Pergolesi, 28, 75100, Matera, Italy
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3
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Contini C, Cultrera R, Seraceni S, Castellazzi M, Granieri E, Fainardi E. Cerebrospinal fluid molecular demonstration of Chlamydia pneumoniae DNA is associated to clinical and brain magnetic resonance imaging activity in a subset of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler 2016; 10:360-9. [PMID: 15327030 DOI: 10.1191/1352458504ms1049oa] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
To further explore the link between Chlamydia pneumoniae and multiple sclerosis (MS), we examined cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from 71 patients with MS and from 72 patients suffering from other inflammatory neurological disorders (OIND) or noninflammatory neurological disorders (NIND). All samples were analysed by a touchdown nested polymerase chain reaction (n-PCR) forC. pneumoniae with primer sets which amplify target sequence genes encoding the major outer membrane protein (MOMP), the16S rRNA and the Hsp- 70 protein. A molecular study was also performed to evaluate genetic diversity among isolates of C. pneumoniae and to compare chlamydial sequences. PCR was found positive in 36.6% of total MS, in 28.1% of OIND and in 37.5% of NIND patients, without any statistical differences among the various groups examined. CSF PCR evidence of C. pneumoniae was significantly more frequent in relapsing-remitting (RR) than in secondary progressive (SP) (PB-0.001) and in primary progressive (PP)MS (PB-0.05), in clinically active than in clinically stable MS (PB-0.05) and in MRI active than in MRI inactive MS(PB-0.001). The analysis of CSF expression of each single C. pneumoniae-specific gene revealed that detectable levels of MOMP were significantly more frequent in MS patients with relapse (PB-0.05), whereas PCR positivity for MOMP and 16S rRNA genes were more represented in MS patients with clinical and MRI evidence of disease activity (PB-0.05). Similar rates for MOMP and 16S rRNA genes were detected in CSF of both MS patients and controls, whereas CSF PCR positivity for Hsp-70 gene was observed in only three active RR MS patients. Sequence analysis revealed significant homologies withC. pneumoniae compared to otherChlamydial spp. These findings confirm that theC. pneumoniae detection within the central nervous system (CNS) is not selectively restricted to MS, but accounts in a variety of neurological diseases. In addition, our results suggest that CSF C. pneumoniae-specific DNA detection can occur in a subset of MS patients with clinical and MRI active RR form in whom a C. pneumoniae brain chronic persistent infection may play a significant role in the development of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Contini
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical & Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara, 23, 1-44100 Ferrara, Italy.
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Soldati G, Lu ZH, Vaughan L, Polkinghorne A, Zimmermann DR, Huder JB, Pospischil A. Detection of Mycobacteria and Chlamydiae in Granulomatous Inflammation of Reptiles: A Retrospective Study. Vet Pathol 2016; 41:388-97. [PMID: 15232139 DOI: 10.1354/vp.41-4-388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
A retrospective study on reptile tissues presenting with granulomatous inflammation was performed to detect the possible presence of mycobacteria and chlamydiae in these lesions. Ninety cases including 48 snakes, 27 chelonians, and 15 lizards were selected. Mycobacteria were detected by Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) staining and a broad-range polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by DNA sequencing. To detect chlamydiae, immunohistochemistry with monoclonal antibodies against chlamydial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and a Chlamydiales order-specific PCR and sequencing were applied. Acid-fast bacilli were found in 14 cases (15.6%) by ZN staining and in 23 cases (25.6%) by PCR. Sequence analysis revealed the presence of Mycobacteria other than Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MOTT). Chlamydial LPS antigen was observed within granulomas from five samples (5.6%), whereas the PCR screen revealed 58 positive cases (64.4%). Of these, 9 cases (10%) showed 98–99% similarity to Chlamydophila ( Cp.) pneumoniae and 49 cases (54.4%) displayed a high similarity (88–97%) to the newly described “Chlamydia-like” microorganisms Parachlamydia acanthamoebae and Simkania negevensis. Results from this study confirm, on the one hand, that MOTT are probably the most important infectious etiology for granulomatous inflammation in reptiles. On the other hand, they indicate that chlamydia infects reptiles and that Cp. pneumoniae should be considered an etiological agent of granulomatous lesions of reptiles. Because both MOTT and Cp. pneumoniae are human pathogens, the potential of zoonotic transmission from reptiles to humans has to be considered. In contrast, the significance of Chlamydia-like isolates remains completely open, and further studies are needed to evaluate their role.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Soldati
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, University of Zurich, Switzerland
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5
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Shekhar S, Joyee AG, Yang X. Dynamics of NKT-Cell Responses to Chlamydial Infection. Front Immunol 2015; 6:233. [PMID: 26029217 PMCID: PMC4432794 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2015] [Accepted: 04/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer T (NKT) cells have gained great attention owing to their critical functional roles in immunity to various pathogens. In this review, we provide an overview of the current knowledge on the role of NKT cells in host defense against and pathogenesis due to Chlamydia, which is an intracellular bacterial pathogen that poses a threat to the public health worldwide. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that NKT cells, particularly invariant NKT (iNKT) cells, play a crucial role in host defense against chlamydial infections, especially in C. pneumoniae infection. iNKT cells can promote type-1 protective responses to C. pneumoniae by inducing enhanced production of IL-12 by dendritic cells (DCs), in particular CD8α+ DCs, which promote the differentiation of naive T cells into protective IFN-γ-producing Th1/Tc1 type CD4+/CD8+ T cells. This iNKT-cell-mediated modulation of DC function is largely dependent upon CD40–CD40L interaction, IFN-γ production, and cell-to-cell contact. In addition, iNKT cells modulate the function of natural killer cells. NKT cells may be also involved in the pathogenesis of some chlamydial diseases by inducing different patterns of cytokine production. A better understanding of NKT-cell biology will enable us to rationally design prophylactic and therapeutic tools to combat infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudhanshu Shekhar
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba , Winnipeg, MB , Canada
| | - Antony George Joyee
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba , Winnipeg, MB , Canada
| | - Xi Yang
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba , Winnipeg, MB , Canada ; Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba , Winnipeg, MB , Canada
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6
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Cope I, Wheelhouse N, Pocknell A, Dagleish M, Summers B. An unusual presentation of
Chlamydia pneumoniae
infection in a Royal Python (
Python regius
). VETERINARY RECORD CASE REPORTS 2014. [DOI: 10.1136/vetreccr-2014-000086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Iain Cope
- Department of ExoticsCambridge Vet GroupCambridgeCambridgeshireUK
| | | | | | | | - Brian Summers
- The Royal Veterinary CollegeHawkshead Lane, North MymmsHatfieldHertfordshireAL9 7TAUK
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7
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Frutos MC, Monetti MS, Ré VE, Cuffini CG. Molecular evidence of Chlamydophila pneumoniae infection in reptiles in Argentina. Rev Argent Microbiol 2014; 46:45-8. [PMID: 24721274 DOI: 10.1016/s0325-7541(14)70047-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2013] [Accepted: 02/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
In the central area of Argentina, the epidemiological and molecular characteristics of Chlamydophila pneumoniae infections in reptiles are still unknown. A nested polymerase chain reaction of the rpoB gene was used to detect C. pneumoniae in cloacal swab samples from 19 reptiles at a recreational area. Eleven (57.89%) reptiles were positive; the sequencing and phylogenetic analysis confirmed the presence of this bacterium. Neither C. pneumoniae DNA in the caregivers pharynges nor IgM antibodies anti-C. pneumoniae in their serum samples were detected; however, caregivers presented very high titers of IgG anti-C. pneumoniae. The detection of C. pneumoniae DNA in reptiles demonstrated the circulation of this agent in the recreational area and could be responsible for the exacerbated immune response of the personnel handling the reptiles, which suggests a potential zoonotic cycle. This is the first report of the detection of C. pneumoniae in reptiles in Argentina.
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Affiliation(s)
- María C Frutos
- Instituto de Virología "Dr. J. M. Vanella", Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.
| | - Marina S Monetti
- Instituto de Virología "Dr. J. M. Vanella", Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Viviana E Ré
- Instituto de Virología "Dr. J. M. Vanella", Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Cecilia G Cuffini
- Instituto de Virología "Dr. J. M. Vanella", Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
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8
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Elargoubi A, Verhoeven P, Grattard F, Stephan JL, Richard O, Pozzetto B. Acute encephalitis associated to a respiratory infection due to Chlamydophila pneumoniae. Med Mal Infect 2013; 43:345-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.medmal.2013.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2010] [Revised: 05/25/2013] [Accepted: 06/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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9
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Ravindranath BS, Krishnamurthy V, Krishna V, C SK. In silico synteny based comparative genomics approach for identification and characterization of novel therapeutic targets in Chlamydophila pneumoniae. Bioinformation 2013; 9:506-10. [PMID: 23861566 PMCID: PMC3705625 DOI: 10.6026/97320630009506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2013] [Accepted: 05/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydophila pneumoniae is one of the most important and well studied gram negative bacterial strain with respect to community
acquired pneumonia and other respiratory diseases like Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Chronic asthma,
Alzheimer's disease, Atherosclerosis and Multisclerosis which have a great potential to infect humans and many other mammals.
According to WHO prediction, COPD is to become the third leading cause of death by 2030. Unfortunately, the molecular
mechanisms leading to chronic infections are poorly understood and the difficulty in culturing C pneumoniae in experimental
conditions and lack of entirely satisfactory serological methods for diagnosis is also a hurdle for drug discovery and development.
We have performed an insilico synteny based comparative genomics analysis of C pneumoniae and other eight Chlamydial
organisms to know the potential of C pneumoniae which cause COPD but other Chlamydial organisms lack in potential to cause
COPD though some are involved in human pathogenesis. We have identified total 354 protein sequences as non-orthologous to
other Chlamydial organisms, except hypothetical proteins 70 were found functional out of which 60 are non homologous to Homo
sapiens proteome and among them 18 protein sequences are found to be essential for survival of the C pneumoniae based on BLASTP
search against DEG database of essential genes. CELLO analysis results showed that about 80% proteins are found to be
cytoplasmic, Among which 5 were found as bacterial exotoxins and 2 as bacterial endotoxins, remaining 11 proteins were found to
be involved in DNA binding, RNA binding, catalytic activity, ATP binding, oxidoreductase activity, hydrolase activity and
proteolysis activity. It is expected that our data will facilitate selection of C pneumoniae proteins for successful entry into drug
design pipelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bilachi S Ravindranath
- Department of Biotechnology, PES Institute of Technology (Recognized research centre of Kuvempu University), BSK III Stage, Bangalore - 560085, India
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10
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Yagnik RM, Benzeroual KE. Tigecycline prevents LPS-induced release of pro-inflammatory and apoptotic mediators in neuronal cells. Toxicol In Vitro 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2012.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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11
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Contini C, Seraceni S, Maritati M, Cavazzini F, Perri P. Role of Chlamydia in the Development of Ocular Adnexal Lymphoma. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013. [DOI: 10.4236/jct.2013.42082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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12
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Faludi I, Szabó Á. Vaccination with DNA vector expressing chlamydial low calcium response protein E (LcrE) against Chlamydophila pneumoniae infection. Acta Microbiol Immunol Hung 2011; 58:123-34. [PMID: 21715282 DOI: 10.1556/amicr.58.2011.2.5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Chlamydophila pneumoniae is an obligate intracellular human pathogen, which causes acute respiratory tract infections and can also cause chronic infections. C. pneumoniae possess type III secretion system (TTSS), which allows them to secrete effector molecules into the inclusion membrane and the host cell cytosol. Low calcium response protein E (LcrE) is a part of TTSS. The gene of LcrE in a 6His-tagged form was cloned from C. pneumoniae CWL029, expressed and purified from Escherichia coli using the HIS-select TALON CellThru Resin, this gene was also cloned into a eukaryotic expression vector (pΔRC). One group of BALB/c mice received an intramuscular pΔRC inoculation then the mice were immunized with purified LcrE protein; the second group of mice was immunized two times with the recombinant plasmid (pΔRCLcrE), and the third group was primed with pΔRCLcrE inoculation then boosted with LcrE protein. LcrE-specific antibody response was induced by DNA immunization with a shift towards Th1 isotype pattern compared to protein-immunization, this shifting pattern was observed in plasmid primed then protein-boosted animals. DNA immunization given as a priming and followed by a protein booster significantly reduced the number of viable bacteria in the lungs after challenge with C. pneumoniae. These results confirm that immunization with pΔRCLcrE can be an effective part of a vaccination schedule against C. pneumoniae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ildikó Faludi
- 1 University of Szeged Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunobiology Szeged Hungary
| | - Ágnes Szabó
- 1 University of Szeged Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunobiology Szeged Hungary
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Pawate S, Sriram S. The role of infections in the pathogenesis and course of multiple sclerosis. Ann Indian Acad Neurol 2010; 13:80-6. [PMID: 20814489 PMCID: PMC2924524 DOI: 10.4103/0972-2327.64622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2010] [Revised: 04/13/2010] [Accepted: 04/14/2010] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Interplay between susceptibility genes and environmental factors is considered important player in the genesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Among environmental factors, a role for an infectious pathogen has long been considered central to the disease process. This opinion has support both from epidemiological data and the findings of immunological abnormalities in spinal fluid that reflect an immune response to an as yet undetermined antigen, possibly a pathogen, in the cerebrospinal fluid. Our review will outline the current understanding of the role of infection in the causation and progression of MS. We will review the data that point to an infectious cause of MS and consider the specific agents Chlamydophila (Chlamydia) pneumoniae, Human Herpes Virus 6, and Epstein-Barr Virus, that are implicated in either the development or progression of MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siddharama Pawate
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
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14
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Chlamydophila pneumoniae Infection and Its Role in Neurological Disorders. Interdiscip Perspect Infect Dis 2010; 2010:273573. [PMID: 20182626 PMCID: PMC2825657 DOI: 10.1155/2010/273573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2009] [Accepted: 11/25/2009] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydophila pneumoniae is an intracellular pathogen responsible for a number of different acute and chronic infections. The recent deepening of knowledge on the biology and the use of increasingly more sensitive and
specific molecular techniques has allowed demonstration of C. pneumoniae in
a large number of persons suffering from different diseases including cardiovascular (atherosclerosis and stroke) and central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Despite this, many important issues remain unanswered with regard to the role that C. pneumoniae may play in initiating atheroma or in the progression of the disease. A growing body of evidence concerns the involvement of this pathogen in chronic neurological disorders and particularly in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Monocytes may traffic C. pneumoniae across the blood-brain-barrier, shed the organism in the
CNS and induce neuroinflammation. The demonstration of C. pneumoniae by
histopathological, molecular and culture techniques in the late-onset AD dementia has suggested a relationship between CNS infection with C. pneumoniae and the AD neuropathogenesis. In particular subsets of MS patients, C. pneumoniae could induce a chronic persistent brain infection acting as a cofactor in the development of the disease. The role of Chlamydia in the pathogenesis of mental or neurobehavioral disorders including schizophrenia and autism is uncertain and fragmentary and will require further
confirmation.
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15
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Faludi I, Csanádi A, Szabó AM, Burián K, Endrész V, Miczák A. Production and purification of low calcium response protein H of Chlamydophila pneumoniae. Acta Microbiol Immunol Hung 2009; 56:389-97. [PMID: 20038490 DOI: 10.1556/amicr.56.2009.4.8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Chlamydophila pneumoniae possesses a type III secretion system (TTSS), which allows the bacteria to secrete effector molecules into the inclusion membrane and into the cytosol of the host cell. Low calcium response protein H (LcrH), as a part of the TTSS, is a chaperone protein expressed from the middle to late stages of the chlamydial developmental cycle. Gene of LcrH (CPn0811) in a 6His-tagged form was cloned from C. pneumoniae CWL029, expressed and purified from Escherichia coli using the HIS-select TALON CellThru Resin. The purity was checked with mass spectrometry. The samples were used for immunization of BALB/c mice. The inducible E. coli clone, which over-expresses the chlamydial LcrH, permits the study of the biological properties of this protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ildikó Faludi
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunobiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.
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16
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Contini C, Seraceni S, Castellazzi M, Granieri E, Fainardi E. Chlamydophila pneumoniae DNA and mRNA transcript levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with multiple sclerosis. Neurosci Res 2008; 62:58-61. [PMID: 18572268 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2008.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2008] [Revised: 04/24/2008] [Accepted: 05/12/2008] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Chlamydophila pneumoniae DNA and mRNA transcripts were investigated by PCR and RT-PCR in fresh CSF and PBMC specimens co-cultured in Hep-2 cell lines and collected from 14 patients with definite RR MS and 19 patients with other inflammatory (OIND) and non-inflammatory (NIND) neurological controls. A positivity for C. pneumoniae DNA and mRNA was detected in CSF and PBMCs of 9 RR MS patients (64.2%) with evidence of disease activity, whereas only 3 controls were positive for Chlamydial DNA. These preliminary findings suggest that C. pneumoniae may occur in a persistent and metabolically active state at both peripheral and intrathecal levels in MS, but not in OIND and NIND.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Contini
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
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17
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Stallings TL. Association of Alzheimer's disease and Chlamydophila pneumoniae. J Infect 2008; 56:423-31. [PMID: 18474399 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2008.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2008] [Revised: 03/26/2008] [Accepted: 03/31/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
This paper critically reviews the association of infection by Chlamydophila pneumoniae (C. pneumoniae) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). The aging population has increased interest in finding the cause of AD, but studies have yielded contradictory results that are likely due to varying diagnostic tools and different uses of diagnostic tests. Knowledge of AD's characteristics, risk factors, and hypothesized etiologies has expanded since Alois Alzheimer's initial description of AD. Epidemiologic and projection studies provide incidence estimates of AD through a two-stage method: (1) primary diagnosis of dementia by cognitive testing such as Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and (2) clinical diagnosis of AD through criteria such as National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Diseases and Stroke/Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association (NINCDS-ADRDA). Cross-sectional studies yield prevalence estimates of infection by C. pneumoniae by detecting immunoglobulins through laboratory tests such as microimmunofluorescence (MIF). Studies examining the association of C. pneumoniae and AD are limited, but brain autopsy provides information about presence, proximity to areas associated with AD, and bacterial load. Standardization of diagnostic techniques would allow for better comparability of studies, but uncertainty about the best method of diagnosis of infection by C. pneumoniae and AD may call for revised or novel diagnostic tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany L Stallings
- Rollins School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road NE, 4th Floor, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
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18
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Chlamydia pneumoniae GroEL1 protein is cell surface associated and required for infection of HEp-2 cells. J Bacteriol 2008; 190:3757-67. [PMID: 18310329 DOI: 10.1128/jb.01638-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia pneumoniae is an important obligate intracellular pathogen that replicates within an inclusion in the eukaryotic cell. The initial event of a chlamydial infection is the adherence to and subsequent uptake of the infectious elementary bodies (EBs) by the human cell. These processes require yet-unidentified bacterial and eukaryotic surface proteins. The GroEL1 protein, which exhibits a very strong antigenicity and in vitro can activate various eukaryotic cells, is a potential pathogenicity factor. We localized the protein during the infection process and found it in the inclusion but outside the chlamydial particles. GroEL1 was also localized on the surface of EBs, and the protein could be washed off the EBs. Latex beads coated with recombinantly produced GroEL1 (rGroEL1) bound in a dose-dependent manner to HEp-2 cells. Likewise, GroEL1, when expressed and displayed on the yeast cell surface, mediated adhesion to HEp-2 cells. Interestingly, the homologous GroEL2 and GroEL3 proteins showed no adhesive properties. Incubation of primary umbilical vein endothelial cells with soluble GroEL1 and GroEL1-coated latex beads activated the translocation of the general transcription factor NF-kappaB into the nucleus. Finally, preincubation of HEp-2 cells with rGroEL1 significantly reduced subsequent infection with C. pneumoniae, although adhesion of infectious bacteria to eukaryotic cells was not affected. Taken together, these data support a role for extracellular GroEL1 in the establishment of the chlamydial infection.
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Contini C, Segala D, Cultrera R, Minichello VMC. Detection of parvovirus B19 and Chlamydophila pneumoniae in a patient with atypical sarcoidosis. Infection 2007; 37:52-5. [PMID: 17906838 DOI: 10.1007/s15010-007-6313-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2006] [Accepted: 06/11/2007] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
We present an elderly female patient with fever, aplastic anemia, arthralgic symptoms and atypical pneumonia. Serological and clinical findings suggested Parvovirus B19 and Chlamydophila pneumoniae infection. These supposed infections delayed the recognition of underlying sarcoidosis which definitive diagnosis was reached through a lung biopsy and histological demonstration of nonnecrotizing granulomas containing giant cells and noncaseating epithelioid cells. The present case highlights the potential difficulty to diagnose sarcoidosis in the presence of unusual infections which may complicate the course of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Contini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 23, 44100, Ferrara, Italy.
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20
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Boelen E, Stassen FRM, van der Ven AJAM, Lemmens MAM, Steinbusch HPJ, Bruggeman CA, Schmitz C, Steinbusch HWM. Detection of amyloid beta aggregates in the brain of BALB/c mice after Chlamydia pneumoniae infection. Acta Neuropathol 2007; 114:255-61. [PMID: 17581756 PMCID: PMC2039821 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-007-0252-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2007] [Revised: 06/04/2007] [Accepted: 06/06/2007] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Neuroinflammation, initiated by cerebral infection, is increasingly postulated as an aetiological factor in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). We investigated whether Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cpn) infection results in extracellular aggregation of amyloid beta (Abeta) in BALB/c mice. At 1 week post intranasal infection (p.i.), Cpn DNA was detected predominantly in the olfactory bulbs by PCR, whereas brains at 1 and 3 months p.i. were Cpn negative. At 1 and 3 months p.i., extracellular Abeta immunoreactivity was detected in the brain of Cpn-infected mice but also in the brain of mock-infected mice and mice that were neither Cpn infected nor mock infected. However, these extracellular Abeta aggregates showed morphological differences compared to extracellular Abeta aggregates detected in the brain of transgenic APP751(SL)/PS1(M146L) mice. These data do not unequivocally support the hypothesis that Cpn infection induces the formation of AD-like Abeta plaques in the brain of BALB/c mice, as suggested before. However, future studies are required to resolve these differences and to investigate whether Cpn is indeed an etiological factor in AD pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Boelen
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
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21
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Tauber SC, Nau R, Gerber J. Systemic infections in multiple sclerosis and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Arch Physiol Biochem 2007; 113:124-30. [PMID: 17922308 DOI: 10.1080/13813450701531227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). It has been suggested that viral and bacterial infections contribute to the pathogenesis of MS. This review will give an overview about the influence of viral and bacterial infections on MS and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). It will focus on bacterial infections and will also emphasise therapeutic consequences such as the impact of antibiotic treatment on the course of EAE. In summary, a growing body of evidence suggests that systemic infections are a risk factor for the initiation of autoimmune processes including the induction of acute events in MS. Experimental and clinical data strongly suggest early treatment of bacterial infections in MS patients to avoid aggravation and relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone C Tauber
- Department of Neurology, Georg-August-University, Göttingen, Germany
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22
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Boelen E, Steinbusch HWM, van der Ven AJAM, Grauls G, Bruggeman CA, Stassen FRM. Chlamydia pneumoniae infection of brain cells: An in vitro study. Neurobiol Aging 2007; 28:524-32. [PMID: 16621171 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2006.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2005] [Revised: 02/14/2006] [Accepted: 02/16/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Inspired by the suggested associations between neurological diseases and infections, we determined the susceptibility of brain cells to Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cpn). Murine astrocyte (C8D1A), neuronal (NB41A3) and microglial (BV-2) cell lines were inoculated with Cpn. Infection was established by immunofluorescence and real-time PCR at various time points. Productive infection was assessed by transferring medium of infected cells to a detection layer. Finally, apoptosis and necrosis post-infection was determined. Our data demonstrate that the neuronal cell line is highly sensitive to Cpn, produces viable progeny and is prone to die after infection by necrosis. Cpn tropism was similar in an astrocyte cell line, apart from the higher production of extracellular Cpn and less pronounced necrosis. In contrast, the microglial cell line is highly resistant to Cpn as the immunohistochemical signs almost completely disappeared after 24 h. Nevertheless, significant Cpn DNA amounts could be detected, suggesting Cpn persistence. Low viable progeny and hardly any necrotic microglial cells were observed. Further research is warranted to determine whether these cell types show the same sensitivity to Cpn in an in vivo setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Boelen
- Department of Medical Microbiology, CARIM (Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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23
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Eickhoff M, Thalmann J, Hess S, Martin M, Laue T, Kruppa J, Brandes G, Klos A. Host cell responses to Chlamydia pneumoniae in gamma interferon-induced persistence overlap those of productive infection and are linked to genes involved in apoptosis, cell cycle, and metabolism. Infect Immun 2007; 75:2853-63. [PMID: 17353287 PMCID: PMC1932845 DOI: 10.1128/iai.01045-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The respiratory pathogen Chlamydia (Chlamydophila) pneumoniae is associated with chronic diseases, including atherosclerosis and giant-cell arteritis, which are accompanied by the occurrence of these obligate intracellular bacteria in blood vessels. There, C. pneumoniae seems to be present in a persistent state. Persistence is characterized by modified bacterial metabolism and morphology, as well as a reversible arrest of chlamydial development. In cell culture, this persistent state can be induced by gamma interferon (IFN-gamma). To elucidate this long-term interaction between chlamydiae and their host cells, microarray screening on epithelial HeLa cells was performed. Transcription of persistently (and productively) infected cells was compared with that of mock-infected cells. Sixty-six host cell genes were regulated at 24 h and/or 96 h of IFN-gamma-induced persistence. Subsequently, a set of 17 human host cell genes related to apoptosis, cell cycle, or metabolism was identified as permanently up- or down-regulated by real-time PCR. Some of these chlamydia-dependent host cell responses were diminished or even absent in the presence of rifampin. However, other expression patterns were not altered by the inhibition of bacterial RNA polymerase, suggesting two different modes of host cell activation. Thus, in the IFN-gamma model, the persisting bacteria cause long-lasting changes in the expression of genes coding for functionally important proteins. They might be potential drug targets for the treatment of persistent C. pneumoniae infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meike Eickhoff
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Medical School Hannover, 30625 Hannover, Germany
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24
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Boelen E, Steinbusch HWM, Pronk I, Grauls G, Rennert P, Bailly V, Bruggeman CA, Stassen FRM. Inflammatory responses following Chlamydia pneumoniae infection of glial cells. Eur J Neurosci 2007; 25:753-60. [PMID: 17313571 DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2007.05339.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Recently, infections have been implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Apart from the direct effects of pathogens, it can be hypothesized that inflammatory mechanisms, such as the production of pro-inflammatory mediators by resident glia, may result in neurotoxicity. Here, we examined the inflammatory responses in murine microglial cell (MMC) and murine astrocyte cell (MAC) lines following infection with Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cpn), a pathogen that has recently been associated with Alzheimer's disease. Furthermore, we determined whether these inflammatory responses are sufficient to cause neuronal cell death in vitro. MMCs and MACs were infected with Cpn. Subsequently, various chemo- and cytokines were determined in the culture supernatant fluid of infected/control cells at different time points post-infection. Significantly higher levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, interleukin (IL)-6, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and IL-1beta were found in supernatant fluids of infected MMCs compared with controls. In contrast, in the supernatant fluid of infected MACs, only monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 and IL-6 displayed significantly higher levels compared with controls. Moreover, neurotoxicity was examined up to 72 h after transferring the conditioned supernatant fluid to a neuronal cell layer. No neuronal cell death was observed when supernatant fluids from infected/mock-treated MACs were transferred. However, when neurones were exposed to conditioned supernatant fluid from infected MMCs, a significant increase in cell death was observed compared with mock. Furthermore, adding neutralizing antibodies against IL-6 and TNF-alpha to that conditioned supernatant fluid prevented neuronal cell death by approximately 50%. In conclusion, these data suggest that Cpn infection results in a pro-inflammatory milieu, particularly by activating MMCs, that ultimately results in neurodegeneration with prominent roles for both IL-6 and TNF-alpha.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Boelen
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Bilenki L, Wang S, Yang J, Fan Y, Jiao L, Joyee AG, Han X, Yang X. Adoptive transfer of CD8alpha+ dendritic cells (DC) isolated from mice infected with Chlamydia muridarum are more potent in inducing protective immunity than CD8alpha- DC. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2007; 177:7067-75. [PMID: 17082623 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.177.10.7067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Chlamydial infections are serious public health concerns worldwide. In this study, we examined the role of dendritic cell (DC) subsets in inducing protective immunity against chlamydial infection using an adoptive transfer approach. We found that CD11c+CD8alpha+ (double-positive, DP) DC, compared with CD11c+CD8alpha- (single-positive, SP) DC isolated from infected mice, are more potent inducers of protective immunity. Specifically, mice pretreated with DPDC from infected mice, upon infection with Chlamydia trachomatis mouse pneumonitis (MoPn), experienced significantly less severe body weight loss and in vivo chlamydial growth. Analysis of MoPn-driven cytokine production by immune cells revealed that mice that were treated with DPDC produced significantly higher levels of Th1 (TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, and IL-12) but lower levels of Th2 (IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13)-related cytokines than the recipients of SPDC following infection challenge. Moreover, DPDC-treated mice displayed significantly higher levels of MoPn-specific IgG2a production and delayed-type hypersensitivity responses compared with SPDC-treated mice. Furthermore, DPDC isolated from infected mice produced higher amounts of IL-12 and IL-10 in vitro in comparison with SPDC. These data indicate that CD8alpha+ DC have a significantly higher capacity in inducing protective immunity compared with CD8alpha- DC, demonstrating the crucial role of DC1-like cells in eliciting protection against C. trachomatis infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Bilenki
- Laboratory for Infection and Immunity, Departments of Immunology and Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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Azenabor AA, Muili K, Akoachere JF, Chaudhry A. Macrophage antioxidant enzymes regulate Chlamydia pneumoniae chronicity: evidence of the effect of redox balance on host-pathogen relationship. Immunobiology 2006; 211:325-39. [PMID: 16716802 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2005.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2005] [Accepted: 12/14/2005] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Latency, chronicity and recurrent nature are the features of Chlamydia pneumoniae biology which play a central role in the course and outcome of C. pneumoniae-host interaction. Since redox status is directly an indicator of inflammatory response via molecular signaling mechanisms, we decided to study the regulatory role of macrophage cellular redox balance on the molecular indices of C. pneumoniae chronicity. We examined GSH-GSSG status, the activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GPx and gamma-GCS), along with their protein and gene expression, the MOMP and cHSP-60 protein and gene expression, and the consequence of redox balance on the establishment of productive infection in macrophages. Results showed that C. pneumoniae caused changes in GSH-GSSG levels, antioxidant enzymes activity, mRNA gene and protein expression in macrophages. The relevance of this to the state and status of C. pneumoniae in macrophages was assessed by inhibitor induced attenuation of antioxidant enzymes and there was evidence that, while SOD attenuation did not significantly affect MOMP and cHSP-60 gene and protein expression, gamma-GCS attenuation increased cHSP-60 gene and protein expression. The increase in molecular evidence of chronic forms of C. pneumoniae (cHSP-60) was consistent with decrease in normal forms of C. pneumoniae. These findings reflect the importance of redox balance modulation on the outcome of C. pneumoniae infection in macrophages, a significant process in the pathogenesis of chlamydial diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony A Azenabor
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Enderis Hall, Room 469, 2400 E. Hartford Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53211, USA.
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Sriram S, Yao SY, Stratton C, Moses H, Narayana PA, Wolinsky JS. Pilot study to examine the effect of antibiotic therapy on MRI outcomes in RRMS. J Neurol Sci 2005; 234:87-91. [PMID: 15935383 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2005.03.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2004] [Revised: 02/18/2005] [Accepted: 03/14/2005] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
This trial examined the safety and possible MRI and clinical effects of anti-chlamydial antibiotic therapy in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). Newly diagnosed MS patients were selected to participate if they showed Chlamydia pneumoniae gene in their CSF and had one or more enhancing lesions on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). After a 4-month run in phase of monthly MRI, patients were randomized to receive rifampin (300 mg twice daily) and azithromycin (500 mg every other day) for 6 months or placebo (PBO). Patients then had monthly MRI on therapy and two additional scans on months 12 and 14. Lumbar punctures were repeated between months 7 and 8 and within 2 weeks of termination of the study. Data on 4 patients on treatment and 4 on PBO were available for analysis. The primary outcome measure of showing a beneficial effect on enhancing lesions was not met. However, there was a significant difference in brain parenchymal fraction loss favoring those patient receiving antibiotics compared with PBO (p< or =0.02). Three of the four patients on antibiotic therapy cleared the organism from the CSF by month 12; in the PBO group one patient cleared the organism. The reduction in atrophy in patients receiving antibiotics must be viewed with caution, due to the small number of patients studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Sriram
- Department of Pathology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37212, USA.
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Xavier M, Correa B, Coromina M, Canas N, Guimarães J. Sudden psychotic episode probably due to meningoencephalitis and Chlamydia pneumoniae acute infection. Clin Pract Epidemiol Ment Health 2005; 1:15. [PMID: 16164756 PMCID: PMC1236946 DOI: 10.1186/1745-0179-1-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2005] [Accepted: 09/15/2005] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Background Since 9% to 20% of all cases of acute psychosis presenting to an Emergency Department (ED) are due to a general medical condition, cautious medical workup should be mandatory in such patients. Differential diagnosis must consider conditions as diverse as renal failure or CNS infection. Acute Chlamydia pneumoniae infection usually causes a self-limited respiratory syndrome. Rarely, acute neurological complications occur, with acute meningoencephalitis most frequently reported. Diagnosis requires a high level of suspicion and is difficult to confirm. Case report We describe a 22 year-old female Caucasian who, three days after a mild pharingitis, developed an acute psychosis with exuberant symptoms interspersed with periods of lucidity, in a background of normal consciousness and orientation. Initial medical and imagiological workup were inconclusive. After 20 days of unsuccessful treatment with antipsychotics she developed a high fever and was re-evaluated medically. Lumbar puncture revealed an inflammatory cerebrospinal fluid. MRI showed irregular thickening and nodularity of the lateral ventricles' lining. An anti-Chlamydia pneumoniae IgM antibody titter of 85 IU/ml was detected. All symptoms cleared after treatment with antibiotics and corticosteroids. Conclusion This is, to our knowledge, the first reported case of acute CP-associated meningoencephalitis manifesting as an acute psychotic episode. It illustrates the principle that non-organic psychiatric syndromes must remain a diagnosis of exclusion in first-time acute psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Xavier
- Depart. Psychiatry and Mental Health, Faculty Medical Sciences – UNL Calçada da Tapada, 155, 1300-Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Bernardo Correa
- Depart. Psychiatry and Mental Health, Faculty Medical Sciences – UNL Calçada da Tapada, 155, 1300-Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Marta Coromina
- Depart. Psychiatry – Hospital S. Francisco Xavier, 1400-Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Nuno Canas
- Depart. Neurology, Hospital Egas Moniz, 1400-Lisbon, Portugal
| | - João Guimarães
- Depart. Neurology, Hospital Egas Moniz, 1400-Lisbon, Portugal
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Ngeh J, Goodbourn C. Chlamydia pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Legionella pneumophila in elderly patients with stroke (C-PEPS, M-PEPS, L-PEPS): a case-control study on the infectious burden of atypical respiratory pathogens in elderly patients with acute cerebrovascular disease. Stroke 2004; 36:259-65. [PMID: 15625297 DOI: 10.1161/01.str.0000152961.11730.d9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Multiple studies have suggested an association between Chlamydia pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection and cardiovascular disease. We investigated whether the risk of cerebrovascular disease is associated with Legionella pneumophila infection and the aggregate number/infectious burden of these atypical respiratory pathogens. METHODS One hundred patients aged >65 years admitted with acute stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) and 87 control patients admitted concurrently with acute noncardiopulmonary, noninfective conditions were recruited prospectively. Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits, we previously reported the seroprevalences of C pneumoniae and M pneumoniae in these patients. We have now determined the seroprevalences of L pneumophila IgG and IgM in this cohort of patients using ELISA. RESULTS The seroprevalences of L pneumophila IgG and IgM were 29% (n=91) and 12% (n=81) in the stroke/TIA group and 22% (n=86) and 10% (n=72) in the controls, respectively. Using logistic regression to adjust for age, sex, hypertension, smoking, diabetes, ischemic heart disease, and ischemic ECG, the odds ratios for stroke/TIA in relation to L pneumophila IgG and IgM were 1.52 (95% CI, 0.70 to 3.28; P=0.29) and 1.49 (95% CI, 0.45 to 4.90; P=0.51), respectively. The odds ratios in relation to IgG seropositivity for 1, 2, or 3 atypical respiratory pathogens after adjustment were 3.89 (95% CI, 1.13 to 13.33), 2.00 (95% CI, 0.64 to 6.21), and 6.67 (95% CI, 1.22 to 37.04), respectively (P=0.06). CONCLUSIONS L pneumophila seropositivity is not significantly associated with stroke/TIA. However, the risk of stroke/TIA appears to be associated with the aggregate number of chronic infectious burden of atypical respiratory pathogens such as C pneumoniae, M pneumoniae, and L pneumophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Ngeh
- Department of Geriatric and Stroke Medicine, Warwick Hospital, Lakin Rd, Warwick CV34 5BW, UK.
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Hermann C, Gueinzius K, Oehme A, Von Aulock S, Straube E, Hartung T. Comparison of quantitative and semiquantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for immunoglobulin G against Chlamydophila pneumoniae to a microimmunofluorescence test for use with patients with respiratory tract infections. J Clin Microbiol 2004; 42:2476-9. [PMID: 15184423 PMCID: PMC427843 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.42.6.2476-2479.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously reported a high degree of variation in the sensitivities of serodiagnostic kits for the detection of Chlamydophila pneumoniae in sera from healthy donors. Since a low predictive value of a test can impair its diagnostic value, we have extended our studies to samples from patients with pneumonia. We focused on the most promising enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) (SeroCP and SeroCP Quant; Savyon) identified in our previous study and included a new ELISA (sELISA; Medac). The agreement between all ELISAs for immunoglobulin G (IgG) and a reference microimmunofluorescence (MIF) test for IgG (SeroFIA; Savyon) was > or = 90% for a collective of 80 patients. The positive predictive values were all > or = 93%. The negative predictive values ranged from 68 to 83%. False-negative results were obtained only for samples that had low titers in the MIF test. The correlation of the IgG antibody titers determined by the MIF and SeroCP Quant tests was high (r(sp) = 0.9). Since the semiquantitative SeroCP and quantitative SeroCP Quant ELISAs achieved the highest sensitivities, they were evaluated further by using a second batch of sera from 50 patients with predominantly medium and low antibody titers in the MIF test and a control collection of sera from 80 children with negative MIF results. Again, the tests showed a high concordance with the MIF results (96%), and the antibody titers in the SeroCP Quant and MIF tests correlated well (r(sp) = 0.8). The specificities determined with the negative sera were > or = 99% for the SeroCP Quant test and 86% for the SeroCP test. These results show that ELISAs that are fast and objective deliver seroprevalence results, sensitivities, and specificities that are very similar to those of the MIF test.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinna Hermann
- Biochemical Pharmacology, University of Konstanz, 78457 Constance, Germany.
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31
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Fainardi E, Castellazzi M, Casetta I, Cultrera R, Vaghi L, Granieri E, Contini C. Intrathecal production of Chlamydia pneumoniae-specific high-affinity antibodies is significantly associated to a subset of multiple sclerosis patients with progressive forms. J Neurol Sci 2004; 217:181-8. [PMID: 14706222 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2003.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to provide further insight into the effective relevance of the association between Chlamydia pneumoniae and MS. We evaluated by ELISA technique cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum levels of anti-C. pneumoniae IgG in 46 relapsing-remitting (RR), 14 secondary progressive (SP) and 11 primary progressive (PP) MS patients grouped according to clinical and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) evidence of disease activity. Fifty-one patients with other inflammatory neurological disorders (OIND) and 52 with non-inflammatory neurological disorders (NIND) were used as controls. A C. pneumoniae-specific intrathecal IgG synthesis as detected by the relative specific index was present in a small proportion of MS (17%), OIND (22%) and NIND (2%) patients and was significantly more frequent in MS and in OIND than in NIND (p<0.001) and in SP and PP MS than in RR MS patients (p<0.02). Among the patients with C. pneumoniae-specific intratecally produced antibodies, CSF high-affinity anti-C. pneumoniae IgG were found in the majority of SP or PP MS, occasionally in OIND, but not in RR MS and NIND patients. These findings confirm that the presence of a humoral immune response to C. pneumoniae within the central nervous system (CNS) is not selectively restricted to MS, but is shared by several inflammatory neurological conditions. In addition, our results suggest that an intrathecal production of C. pneumoniae-specific high-affinity IgG can occur in a subset of patients with MS progressive forms in which a C. pneumoniae brain chronic persistent infection may play an important pathogenetic role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Fainardi
- Multiple Sclerosis Center, Department of Neurology, University of Ferrara, Arcispedale S. Anna, Corso della Giovecca 203, I-44100, Ferrara, Italy.
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Soldan SS, Jacobson S. Infection and Multiple Sclerosis. INFECTION AND AUTOIMMUNITY 2004. [PMCID: PMC7152275 DOI: 10.1016/b978-044451271-0.50044-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Langford D, Masliah E. The emerging role of infectious pathogens in neurodegenerative diseases. Exp Neurol 2003; 184:553-5. [PMID: 14769347 DOI: 10.1016/s0014-4886(03)00365-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2003] [Accepted: 07/17/2003] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dianne Langford
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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Nguyen HP, Seto NOL, MacKenzie CR, Brade L, Kosma P, Brade H, Evans SV. Germline antibody recognition of distinct carbohydrate epitopes. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2003; 10:1019-25. [PMID: 14625588 DOI: 10.1038/nsb1014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2003] [Accepted: 10/09/2003] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
High-resolution structures reveal how a germline antibody can recognize a range of clinically relevant carbohydrate epitopes. The germline response to a carbohydrate immunogen can be critical to survivability, with selection for antibody gene segments that both confer protection against common pathogens and retain the flexibility to adapt to new disease organisms. We show here that antibody S25-2 binds several distinct inner-core epitopes of bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) by linking an inherited monosaccharide residue binding site with a subset of complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) of limited flexibility positioned to recognize the remainder of an array of different epitopes. This strategy allows germline antibodies to adapt to different epitopes while minimizing entropic penalties associated with the immobilization of labile CDRs upon binding of antigen, and provides insight into the link between the genetic origin of individual CDRs and their respective roles in antigen recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoa P Nguyen
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8M5, Canada
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Abstract
Chlamydia pneumoniae is a common respiratory pathogen that is now being incriminated in a number of chronic diseases. The ability of C. pneumoniae to infect and persist in macrophages makes it a likely candidate to disseminate in a number of different tissues, including those of the central nervous system. This review addresses the potential and the underlying mechanisms by which C. pneumoniae infections can play a role in such diverse neurological diseases as multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles W Stratton
- Department of Pathology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
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36
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Klein M, Kötz A, Bernardo K, Krönke M. Detection of Chlamydia pneumoniae-specific antibodies binding to the VD2 and VD3 regions of the major outer membrane protein. J Clin Microbiol 2003; 41:1957-62. [PMID: 12734234 PMCID: PMC154690 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.41.5.1957-1962.2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Although Chlamydia pneumoniae is an important human pathogen, the antigens eliciting a specific humoral immune response remain elusive. We scrutinized several recombinant chlamydial surface proteins for species-specific recognition by a panel of human sera previously tested for the presence of anti-C. pneumoniae and anti-C. trachomatis antibodies by microimmunofluorescence and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The 15-kDa cysteine-rich protein (CrpA), porin-b (PorB), 9-kDa outer membrane protein (OMP3), 60-kDa outer membrane protein (OMP2), and four fragments of the major outer membrane protein (MOMP) representing each variable domain (VD) were overexpressed in Escherichia coli, affinity purified, and employed for Western blot analysis. None of the sera tested contained antibodies recognizing PorB and OMP3 of C. pneumoniae. Sera from C. pneumoniae-immune patients cross-reacted with OMP2 of C. trachomatis, and sera from C. trachomatis-immune patients cross-reacted with CrpA of C. pneumoniae, indicating that some of chlamydial surface molecules share antigenic epitopes. In contrast, the VD2, as well as the VD3, regions of the MOMP of C. pneumoniae were only recognized by C. pneumoniae-positive sera, suggesting the existence of species-specific epitopes. The identification of such epitopes of cell surface molecules provides new insights into C. pneumoniae-specific immune responses and may be of value for the improvement of C. pneumoniae-specific diagnostic assay systems based on defined recombinant antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Klein
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology, and Hygiene, University of Cologne, 50935 Cologne, Germany.
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37
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Du C, Yao SY, Ljunggren-Rose A, Sriram S. Chlamydia pneumoniae infection of the central nervous system worsens experimental allergic encephalitis. J Exp Med 2002; 196:1639-44. [PMID: 12486106 PMCID: PMC2196067 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20020393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Experimental allergic encephalitis (EAE) is considered by many to be a model for human multiple sclerosis. Intraperitoneal inoculation of mice with Chlamydia pneumoniae, after immunization with neural antigens, increased the severity of EAE. Accentuation of EAE required live infectious C. pneumoniae, and the severity of the disease was attenuated with antiinfective therapy. After immunization with neural antigens, systemic infection with C. pneumoniae led to the dissemination of the organism into the central nervous system (CNS) in mice with accentuated EAE. Inoculation with Chlamydia trachomatis did not worsen EAE and infectious organisms were not seen in the CNS. These observations suggest that dissemination of C. pneumoniae results in localized infection in CNS tissues in animals with EAE. We propose that infection of the CNS by C. pneumoniae can amplify the autoreactive pool of lymphocytes and regulate the expression of an autoimmune disease.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antigens, Bacterial/genetics
- Antigens, Bacterial/immunology
- Antigens, Bacterial/metabolism
- Central Nervous System Bacterial Infections/immunology
- Central Nervous System Bacterial Infections/microbiology
- Chlamydophila Infections/immunology
- Chlamydophila Infections/microbiology
- Chlamydophila pneumoniae/genetics
- Chlamydophila pneumoniae/immunology
- Chlamydophila pneumoniae/isolation & purification
- Chlamydophila pneumoniae/physiology
- Disease Models, Animal
- Disease Progression
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/immunology
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/microbiology
- Female
- Humans
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred Strains
- Multiple Sclerosis/immunology
- Nerve Tissue Proteins/immunology
- Nerve Tissue Proteins/metabolism
- Pneumonia, Bacterial/immunology
- Spinal Cord/microbiology
- Spinal Cord/pathology
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Affiliation(s)
- Caigan Du
- Department of Neurology, Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37212, USA
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38
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Hermann C, Graf K, Groh A, Straube E, Hartung T. Comparison of eleven commercial tests for Chlamydia pneumoniae-specific immunoglobulin G in asymptomatic healthy individuals. J Clin Microbiol 2002; 40:1603-9. [PMID: 11980928 PMCID: PMC130946 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.40.5.1603-1609.2002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2001] [Revised: 02/02/2002] [Accepted: 02/13/2002] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The seroprevalence of anti-Chlamydia pneumoniae-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies is high in the adult population. Experience is required to perform a microimmunofluorescence test (MIF), the current "gold standard" for serological diagnosis, and the assay still lacks standardization. Partially automated enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and enzyme immunoassays (EIAs), which are more standardized and for which the reading of results is less subjective, have been developed. The different commercially available serological tests differ in their sensitivities and specificities, depending primarily on the antigen used. Therefore, we evaluated 11 different tests (10 were species specific, 1 was genus specific) for IgG antibodies using serum samples of 80 apparently healthy volunteers. The interpretation of the results was based on the results of the gold standard, MIF: a sample was judged positive if it was positive by at least three of the four different MIFs. Based on this internal standard, we found that 71% of the samples were positive, while 8% were false positive by some tests. The correlations between the results of the different MIFs ranged from 83 to 99%, and the correlations between the results of the MIFs and the different ELISAs and EIAs ranged from 78 to 98%. Comparison of the IgG titers measured by MIF showed good agreement (r = 0.76 to 0.91). This analysis revealed that some ELISAs and EIAs fail to detect low IgG titers. The specificities of the species-specific tests varied from 95 to 100%, and the sensitivities varied from 58 to 100%. These results indicate that serological assays for the detection of anti-C. pneumoniae-specific IgG vary greatly in their sensitivities and specificities. MIF must still be considered the best method for the detection of IgG in apparently healthy subjects, but the sensitivities and specificities of new ELISAs approximate those of MIFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinna Hermann
- Biochemical Pharmacology, University of Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
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39
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The toll-like receptor TLR4 is necessary for lipopolysaccharide-induced oligodendrocyte injury in the CNS. J Neurosci 2002. [PMID: 11923412 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.22-07-02478.2002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 475] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The immediate or innate immune response is the first line of defense against diverse microbial pathogens and requires the expression of recently discovered toll-like receptors (TLRs). TLR4 serves as a specific receptor for lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and is localized on the surface of a subset of mammalian cells. Although innate immunity is a necessary host defense against microbial pathogens, the consequences of its activation in the CNS can be deleterious, as we show here in a developing neural model. We examined the major non-neuronal cell types in the CNS for expression of TLR4 and found that microglia expressed high levels, whereas astrocytes and oligodendrocytes expressed none. Consistent with TLR4 expression solely in microglia, we show that microglia are the only CNS glial cells that bind fluorescently tagged lipopolysaccharide. Lipopolysaccharide led to extensive oligodendrocyte death in culture only under conditions in which microglia were present. To determine whether TLR4 is necessary for lipopolysaccharide-induced oligodendrocyte death in mixed glial cultures, we studied cultures generated from mice bearing a loss-of-function mutation in the tlr4 gene. Lipopolysaccharide failed to induce oligodendrocyte death in such cultures, in contrast to the death induced in cultures from wild-type mice. Finally, stereotactic intracerebral injection of lipopolysaccharide into the developing pericallosal white matter of immature rodents resulted in loss of oligodendrocytes and hypomyelination and periventricular cysts. Our data provide a general mechanistic link between (1) lipopolysaccharide and similar microbial molecular motifs and (2) injury to oligodendrocytes and myelin as occurs in periventricular leukomalacia and multiple sclerosis.
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40
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Stoy NS. Monocyte/macrophage initiation of organ-specific autoimmunity: the ultimate 'bystander' hypothesis? Med Hypotheses 2002; 58:312-26. [PMID: 12027526 DOI: 10.1054/mehy.2001.1547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
It is postulated that organ-specific autoimmune diseases could be initiated by dysregulated peripherally activated monocytes/macrophages penetrating into target organs nonspecifically. Failure of regulation of pro-inflammatory monocytes/macrophages might then result in autoimmune disease if secondary over-expansion of pre-existing autoantigen-specific T cell populations occurs in genetically predisposed individuals.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antigen Presentation
- Arthritis, Rheumatoid/immunology
- Arthritis, Rheumatoid/pathology
- Autoimmune Diseases/immunology
- Autoimmune Diseases/pathology
- Autoimmunity/physiology
- Cell Adhesion
- Cell Movement
- Cytokines/physiology
- Dendritic Cells/immunology
- Dendritic Cells/pathology
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/immunology
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/pathology
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/immunology
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/pathology
- Endothelium, Vascular/physiopathology
- Genetic Predisposition to Disease
- Humans
- Infections/complications
- Infections/immunology
- Inflammation/immunology
- Lymphocyte Subsets/immunology
- Macrophage Activation
- Macrophages/pathology
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred NOD
- Models, Animal
- Models, Immunological
- Monocytes/pathology
- Multiple Sclerosis/immunology
- Multiple Sclerosis/pathology
- Organ Specificity
- Rats
- Rats, Mutant Strains
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Affiliation(s)
- N S Stoy
- Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability, West Hill, Putney, London, UK
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