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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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Proctor J, Stadler M, Cortes LM, Brodsky D, Poisson L, Gerdts V, Smirnov AI, Smirnova TI, Barua S, Leahy D, Beagley KW, Harris JM, Darville T, Käser T. A TriAdj-Adjuvanted Chlamydia trachomatis CPAF Protein Vaccine Is Highly Immunogenic in Pigs. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:423. [PMID: 38675805 PMCID: PMC11054031 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12040423] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) infections are the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). Despite effective antibiotics for Ct, undetected infections or delayed treatment can lead to infertility, ectopic pregnancies, and chronic pelvic pain. Besides humans, chlamydia poses similar health challenges in animals such as C. suis (Cs) in pigs. Based on the similarities between humans and pigs, as well as their chlamydia species, we use pigs as a large biomedical animal model for chlamydia research. In this study, we used the pig model to develop a vaccine candidate against Ct. The vaccine candidate consists of TriAdj-adjuvanted chlamydial-protease-like activity factor (CPAF) protein. We tested two weekly administration options-twice intranasal (IN) followed by twice intramuscular (IM) and twice IM followed by twice IN. We assessed the humoral immune response in both serum using CPAF-specific IgG (including antibody avidity determination) and also in cervical and rectal swabs using CPAF-specific IgG and IgA ELISAs. The systemic T-cell response was analyzed following in vitro CPAF restimulation via IFN-γ and IL-17 ELISpots, as well as intracellular cytokine staining flow cytometry. Our data demonstrate that while the IN/IM vaccination mainly led to non-significant systemic immune responses, the vaccine candidate is highly immunogenic if administered IM/IN. This vaccination strategy induced high serum anti-CPAF IgG levels with strong avidity, as well as high IgA and IgG levels in vaginal and rectal swabs and in uterine horn flushes. In addition, this vaccination strategy prompted a pronounced cellular immune response. Besides inducing IL-17 production, the vaccine candidate induced a strong IFN-γ response with CD4 T cells. In IM/IN-vaccinated pigs, these cells also significantly downregulated their CCR7 expression, a sign of differentiation into peripheral-tissue-homing effector/memory cells. Conclusively, this study demonstrates the strong immunogenicity of the IM/IN-administered TriAdj-adjuvanted Ct CPAF vaccine candidate. Future studies will test the vaccine efficacy of this promising Ct vaccine candidate. In addition, this project demonstrates the suitability of the Cs pre-exposed outbred pig model for Ct vaccine development. Thereby, we aim to open the bottleneck of large animal models to facilitate the progression of Ct vaccine candidates into clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Proctor
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | - Maria Stadler
- Department of Biological Sciences and Pathobiology, Center of Pathobiology, Immunology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Lizette M. Cortes
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | - David Brodsky
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | - Lydia Poisson
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | - Volker Gerdts
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A3, Canada
| | - Alex I. Smirnov
- Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | - Tatyana I. Smirnova
- Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | - Subarna Barua
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA;
| | - Darren Leahy
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane 4000, Australia
| | - Kenneth W. Beagley
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane 4000, Australia
| | - Jonathan M. Harris
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane 4000, Australia
| | - Toni Darville
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - Tobias Käser
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences and Pathobiology, Center of Pathobiology, Immunology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria
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3
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Walker FC, Derré I. Contributions of diverse models of the female reproductive tract to the study of Chlamydia trachomatis-host interactions. Curr Opin Microbiol 2024; 77:102416. [PMID: 38103413 PMCID: PMC10922760 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2023.102416] [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: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is a common cause of sexually transmitted infections in humans with devastating sequelae. Understanding of disease on all scales, from molecular details to the immunology underlying pathology, is essential for identifying new ways of preventing and treating chlamydia. Infection models of various complexity are essential to understand all aspects of chlamydia pathogenesis. Cell culture systems allow for research into molecular details of infection, including characterization of the unique biphasic Chlamydia developmental cycle and the role of type-III-secreted effectors in modifying the host environment to allow for infection. Multicell type and organoid culture provide means to investigate how cells other than the infected cells contribute to the control of infection. Emerging comprehensive three-dimensional biomimetic systems may fill an important gap in current models to provide information on complex phenotypes that cannot be modeled in simpler in vitro models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Forrest C Walker
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
| | - Isabelle Derré
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America.
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Rixon JA, Fong KD, Morris C, Nguyen AT, Depew CE, McSorley SJ. Elimination of Chlamydia muridarum from the female reproductive tract is IL-12p40 dependent, but independent of Th1 and Th2 cells. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1011914. [PMID: 38166152 PMCID: PMC10786385 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011914] [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: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia vaccine approaches aspire to induce Th1 cells for optimal protection, despite the fact that there is no direct evidence demonstrating Th1-mediated Chlamydia clearance from the female reproductive tract (FRT). We recently reported that T-bet-deficient mice can resolve primary Chlamydia infection normally, undermining the potentially protective role of Th1 cells in Chlamydia immunity. Here, we show that T-bet-deficient mice develop robust Th17 responses and that mice deficient in Th17 cells exhibit delayed bacterial clearance, demonstrating that Chlamydia-specific Th17 cells represent an underappreciated protective population. Additionally, Th2-deficient mice competently clear cervicovaginal infection. Furthermore, we show that sensing of IFN-γ by non-hematopoietic cells is essential for Chlamydia immunity, yet bacterial clearance in the FRT does not require IFN-γ secretion by CD4 T cells. Despite the fact that Th1 cells are not necessary for Chlamydia clearance, protective immunity to Chlamydia is still dependent on MHC class-II-restricted CD4 T cells and IL-12p40. Together, these data point to IL-12p40-dependent CD4 effector maturation as essential for Chlamydia immunity, and Th17 cells to a lesser extent, yet neither Th1 nor Th2 cell development is critical. Future Chlamydia vaccination efforts will be more effective if they focus on induction of this protective CD4 T cell population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan A. Rixon
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Kevin D. Fong
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Claire Morris
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Alana T. Nguyen
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Claire E. Depew
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Stephen J. McSorley
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
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Filardo S, Di Pietro M, Bozzuto G, Fracella M, Bitossi C, Molinari A, Scagnolari C, Antonelli G, Sessa R. Interferon-ε as potential inhibitor of Chlamydia trachomatis infection. Microb Pathog 2023; 185:106427. [PMID: 37890679 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2023.106427] [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: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis, the main cause of bacterial sexually transmitted diseases, is responsible for severe reproductive sequelae. Amongst all the cytokines involved in host immunity towards this pathogen, IFN-ε has recently acquired importance for its potential contribution to the female reproductive tract innate defenses. Herein, our study aimed to explore, for the first time, the activity of IFN-ε toward C. trachomatis in an in vitro infection model, by testing its effects on the different phases of chlamydial developmental cycle, as well as on the ultrastructural characteristics of chlamydial inclusions, via transmission electron microscopy. Main result is the capability of IFN-ε to alter C. trachomatis growth, as suggested by reduced infectious progenies, as well as a patchy distribution of bacteria and altered morphology of reticulate bodies within inclusions. In conclusion, our results suggest that IFN-ε could play a role in the innate and adaptive immune defenses against C. trachomatis; in the future, it will be needed to investigate its activity on an infection model more closely resembling the physiological environment of the female genital tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Filardo
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Section of Microbiology, Sapienza University, P.le Aldo Moro, 5, 00185, Rome, Italy.
| | - Marisa Di Pietro
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Section of Microbiology, Sapienza University, P.le Aldo Moro, 5, 00185, Rome, Italy.
| | - Giuseppina Bozzuto
- National Centre for Drug Research and Evaluation, Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161, Rome, Italy.
| | - Matteo Fracella
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Laboratory of Virology, Sapienza University, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Viale di Porta Tiburtina, 28, 00185, Rome, Italy.
| | - Camilla Bitossi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Laboratory of Virology, Sapienza University, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Viale di Porta Tiburtina, 28, 00185, Rome, Italy.
| | - Agnese Molinari
- National Centre for Drug Research and Evaluation, Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161, Rome, Italy.
| | - Carolina Scagnolari
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Laboratory of Virology, Sapienza University, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Viale di Porta Tiburtina, 28, 00185, Rome, Italy.
| | - Guido Antonelli
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Laboratory of Virology, Sapienza University, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Viale di Porta Tiburtina, 28, 00185, Rome, Italy.
| | - Rosa Sessa
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Section of Microbiology, Sapienza University, P.le Aldo Moro, 5, 00185, Rome, Italy.
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Wang C, Jin Y, Wang J, Zheng K, Lei A, Lu C, Wang S, Wu Y. Protective Immunity against Chlamydia psittaci Lung Infection Induced by a DNA Plasmid Vaccine Carrying CPSIT_p7 Gene Inhibits Dissemination in BALB/c Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087013. [PMID: 37108176 PMCID: PMC10138700 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087013] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia psittaci (C. psittaci), a zoonotic pathogen, poses a potential threat to public health security and the development of animal husbandry. Vaccine-based preventative measures for infectious diseases have a promising landscape. DNA vaccines, with many advantages, have become one of the dominant candidate strategies in preventing and controlling the chlamydial infection. Our previous study showed that CPSIT_p7 protein is an effective candidate for a vaccine against C. psittaci. Thus, this study evaluated the protective immunity of pcDNA3.1(+)/CPSIT_p7 against C. psittaci infection in BALB/c mice. We found that pcDNA3.1(+)/CPSIT_p7 can induce strong humoral and cellular immune responses. The IFN-γ and IL-6 levels in the infected lungs of mice immunized with pcDNA3.1(+)/CPSIT_p7 reduced substantially. In addition, the pcDNA3.1(+)/CPSIT_p7 vaccine diminished pulmonary pathological lesions and reduced the C. psittaci load in the lungs of infected mice. It is worth noting that pcDNA3.1(+)/CPSIT_p7 suppressed C. psittaci dissemination in BALB/c mice. In a word, these results demonstrate that the pcDNA3.1(+)/CPSIT_p7 DNA vaccine has good immunogenicity and immunity protection effectiveness against C. psittaci infection in BALB/c mice, especially pulmonary infection, and provides essential practical experience and insights for the development of a DNA vaccine against chlamydial infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuan Wang
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Yingqi Jin
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Jiewen Wang
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Kang Zheng
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Hengyang Central Hospital, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Aihua Lei
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Chunxue Lu
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Shuzhi Wang
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Yimou Wu
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
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Lorenzen E, Contreras V, Olsen AW, Andersen P, Desjardins D, Rosenkrands I, Juel HB, Delache B, Langlois S, Delaugerre C, Joubert C, Dereuddre-Bosquet N, Bébéar C, De Barbeyrac B, Touati A, McKay PF, Shattock RJ, Le Grand R, Follmann F, Dietrich J. Multi-component prime-boost Chlamydia trachomatis vaccination regimes induce antibody and T cell responses and accelerate clearance of infection in a non-human primate model. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1057375. [PMID: 36505459 PMCID: PMC9726737 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1057375] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
It is of international priority to develop a vaccine against sexually transmitted Chlamydia trachomatis infections to combat the continued global spread of the infection. The optimal immunization strategy still remains to be fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to evaluate immunization strategies in a nonhuman primate (NHP) model. Cynomolgus macaques (Macaqua fascicularis) were immunized following different multi-component prime-boost immunization-schedules and subsequently challenged with C. trachomatis SvD in the lower genital tract. The immunization antigens included the recombinant protein antigen CTH522 adjuvanted with CAF01 or aluminium hydroxide, MOMP DNA antigen and MOMP vector antigens (HuAd5 MOMP and MVA MOMP). All antigen constructs were highly immunogenic raising significant systemic C. trachomatis-specific IgG responses. In particularly the CTH522 protein vaccinated groups raised a fast and strong pecificsIgG in serum. The mapping of specific B cell epitopes within the MOMP showed that all vaccinated groups, recognized epitopes near or within the variable domains (VD) of MOMP, with a consistent VD4 response in all animals. Furthermore, serum from all vaccinated groups were able to in vitro neutralize both SvD, SvE and SvF. Antibody responses were reflected on the vaginal and ocular mucosa, which showed detectable levels of IgG. Vaccines also induced C. trachomatis-specific cell mediated responses, as shown by in vitro stimulation and intracellular cytokine staining of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). In general, the protein (CTH522) vaccinated groups established a multifunctional CD4 T cell response, whereas the DNA and Vector vaccinated groups also established a CD8 T cells response. Following vaginal challenge with C. trachomatis SvD, several of the vaccinated groups showed accelerated clearance of the infection, but especially the DNA group, boosted with CAF01 adjuvanted CTH522 to achieve a balanced CD4/CD8 T cell response combined with an IgG response, showed accelerated clearance of the infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Lorenzen
- Chlamydia Vaccine Research, Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Vanessa Contreras
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives (CEA), Center for Immunology of Viral, Auto-immune, Hematological and Bacterial diseases (IMVA-HB/IDMIT), Fontenay-aux-Roses & Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Anja W. Olsen
- Chlamydia Vaccine Research, Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peter Andersen
- Novo Nordisk Foundation, Infectious Disease, Hellerup, Denmark
| | - Delphine Desjardins
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives (CEA), Center for Immunology of Viral, Auto-immune, Hematological and Bacterial diseases (IMVA-HB/IDMIT), Fontenay-aux-Roses & Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Ida Rosenkrands
- Chlamydia Vaccine Research, Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Helene Bæk Juel
- Novo Nordisk Foundation, Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Benoit Delache
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives (CEA), Center for Immunology of Viral, Auto-immune, Hematological and Bacterial diseases (IMVA-HB/IDMIT), Fontenay-aux-Roses & Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Sebastien Langlois
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives (CEA), Center for Immunology of Viral, Auto-immune, Hematological and Bacterial diseases (IMVA-HB/IDMIT), Fontenay-aux-Roses & Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Constance Delaugerre
- Laboratory of Virology, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Université de Paris, Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Christophe Joubert
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives (CEA), Center for Immunology of Viral, Auto-immune, Hematological and Bacterial diseases (IMVA-HB/IDMIT), Fontenay-aux-Roses & Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Nathalie Dereuddre-Bosquet
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives (CEA), Center for Immunology of Viral, Auto-immune, Hematological and Bacterial diseases (IMVA-HB/IDMIT), Fontenay-aux-Roses & Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Cécile Bébéar
- Bordeaux University Hopsital, Bacteriology Department, National Reference Centre for bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infections, Bordeaux, France
| | - Bertille De Barbeyrac
- Bordeaux University Hopsital, Bacteriology Department, National Reference Centre for bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infections, Bordeaux, France
| | - Arabella Touati
- Bordeaux University Hopsital, Bacteriology Department, National Reference Centre for bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infections, Bordeaux, France
| | - Paul F. McKay
- Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, St Mary’s Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robin J. Shattock
- Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, St Mary’s Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Roger Le Grand
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives (CEA), Center for Immunology of Viral, Auto-immune, Hematological and Bacterial diseases (IMVA-HB/IDMIT), Fontenay-aux-Roses & Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Frank Follmann
- Chlamydia Vaccine Research, Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jes Dietrich
- Chlamydia Vaccine Research, Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark,*Correspondence: Jes Dietrich,
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Borges ÁH, Follmann F, Dietrich J. Chlamydia trachomatis vaccine development - a view on the current challenges and how to move forward. Expert Rev Vaccines 2022; 21:1555-1567. [PMID: 36004386 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2022.2117694] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common sexually transmitted bacterial pathogen in the world. A licensed vaccine is not yet available, but the first vaccines have entered clinical trials. AREAS COVERED : We describe the progress that has been made in our understanding of the type of immunity that a protective vaccine should induce, and the challenges that vaccine developers face. We also focus on the clinical development of a chlamydia vaccine. The first chlamydia vaccine candidate has now been tested in a clinical phase-I trial, and another phase-I trial is currently running. We discuss what it will take to continue this development and what future trial setups could look like. EXPERT OPINION The chlamydia field is coming of age and the first phase I clinical trial of a C. trachomatis vaccine has been successfully completed. We expect and hope that this will motivate various stakeholders to support further development of chlamydia vaccines in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Álvaro H Borges
- Statens Serum Institut, Department of Infectious Diseases Immunology, Kobenhavn, 2300 Denmark
| | | | - Jes Dietrich
- Statens Serum Institut, Department of Infectious Diseases Immunology, Kobenhavn, 2300 Denmark
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Ouellette SP, Hatch ND, Wood NA, Herrera AL, Chaussee MS. Codon-Dependent Transcriptional Changes in Response to Tryptophan Limitation in the Tryptophan Auxotrophic Pathogens Chlamydia trachomatis and Streptococcus pyogenes. mSystems 2021; 6:e0126921. [PMID: 34904862 DOI: 10.1128/mSystems.01269-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis and Streptococcus pyogenes are among the most prevalent bacterial pathogens of humans. Interestingly, both pathogens are tryptophan (Trp) auxotrophs and must acquire this essential amino acid from their environment. For Chlamydia, an obligate intracellular bacterium, this means scavenging Trp from the host cell in which they reside. For Streptococcus, a primarily extracellular bacterium, this means scavenging Trp from the local environment. In the course of a natural immune response, both pathogens can be exposed to Trp-limiting conditions through the action of the interferon gamma-inducible IDO1 enzyme, which catabolizes Trp to N-formylkynurenine. How these pathogens respond to Trp starvation is incompletely understood. However, we have previously demonstrated that genes enriched in Trp codons were preferentially transcribed in C. pneumoniae during Trp limitation. Chlamydia, but not Streptococcus, lacks a stringent response, which is a global regulon activated by uncharged tRNAs binding in the A site of the ribosome. We hypothesized that the chlamydial response to Trp limitation is a consequence of lacking a stringent response. To test this, we compared global transcription profiles of C. trachomatis to both wild-type and stringent response mutant strains of Streptococcus during Trp starvation. We observed that both Trp auxotrophs respond with codon-dependent changes in their transcriptional profiles that correlate with Trp codon content but not transcript stability. Importantly, the stringent response had no impact on these transcriptional changes, suggesting an evolutionarily conserved adaptation to Trp starvation. Therefore, we have revealed a novel response of Trp auxotrophic pathogens in response to Trp starvation. IMPORTANCEChlamydia trachomatis and Streptococcus pyogenes are important pathogens of humans. Interestingly, both are auxotrophic for tryptophan and acquire this essential amino acid from the host environment. However, part of the host defense against pathogens includes the degradation of tryptophan pools. Therefore, Chlamydia and Streptococcus are particularly susceptible to tryptophan starvation. Most model bacteria respond to amino acid starvation by using a global regulon called the stringent response. However, Chlamydia lacks a stringent response. Here, we investigated the chlamydial response to tryptophan starvation and compared it to both wild-type and stringent response mutant strains of S. pyogenes to determine what role a functional stringent response plays during tryptophan starvation in these pathogens. We determined that both of these pathogens respond to tryptophan starvation by increasing transcription of tryptophan codon-rich genes. This effect was not dependent on the stringent response and highlights a previously unrecognized and potentially evolutionarily conserved mechanism for surviving tryptophan starvation.
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Amaral AF, McQueen BE, Bellingham-Johnstun K, Poston TB, Darville T, Nagarajan UM, Laplante C, Käser T. Host-Pathogen Interactions of Chlamydia trachomatis in Porcine Oviduct Epithelial Cells. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10101270. [PMID: 34684219 PMCID: PMC8540921 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10101270] [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] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) causes the most prevalent bacterial sexually transmitted disease leading to ectopic pregnancy and infertility. Swine not only have many similarities to humans, but they are also susceptible to Ct. Despite these benefits and the ease of access to primary tissue from this food animal, in vitro research in swine has been underutilized. This study will provide basic understanding of the Ct host–pathogen interactions in porcine oviduct epithelial cells (pOECs)—the counterparts of human Fallopian tube epithelial cells. Using NanoString technology, flow cytometry, and confocal and transmission-electron microscopy, we studied the Ct developmental cycle in pOECs, the cellular immune response, and the expression and location of the tight junction protein claudin-4. We show that Ct productively completes its developmental cycle in pOECs and induces an immune response to Ct similar to human cells: Ct mainly induced the upregulation of interferon regulated genes and T-cell attracting chemokines. Furthermore, Ct infection induced an accumulation of claudin-4 in the Ct inclusion with a coinciding reduction of membrane-bound claudin-4. Downstream effects of the reduced membrane-bound claudin-4 expression could potentially include a reduction in tight-junction expression, impaired epithelial barrier function as well as increased susceptibility to co-infections. Thereby, this study justifies the investigation of the effect of Ct on tight junctions and the mucosal epithelial barrier function. Taken together, this study demonstrates that primary pOECs represent an excellent in vitro model for research into Ct pathogenesis, cell biology and immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda F. Amaral
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, 1060 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA;
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, 1060 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | - Bryan E. McQueen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, 116 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (B.E.M.); (T.D.)
| | - Kimberly Bellingham-Johnstun
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, 1060 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA; (K.B.-J.); (C.L.)
| | - Taylor B. Poston
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina, 116 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (T.B.P.); (U.M.N.)
| | - Toni Darville
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, 116 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (B.E.M.); (T.D.)
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina, 116 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (T.B.P.); (U.M.N.)
| | - Uma M. Nagarajan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina, 116 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (T.B.P.); (U.M.N.)
| | - Caroline Laplante
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, 1060 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA; (K.B.-J.); (C.L.)
| | - Tobias Käser
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, 1060 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA;
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, 1060 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-919-513-6352
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Sahu R, Dixit S, Verma R, Duncan SA, Smith L, Giambartolomei GH, Singh SR, Dennis VA. Encapsulation of Recombinant MOMP in Extended-Releasing PLGA 85:15 Nanoparticles Confer Protective Immunity Against a Chlamydia muridarum Genital Challenge and Re-Challenge. Front Immunol 2021; 12:660932. [PMID: 33936096 PMCID: PMC8081181 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.660932] [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: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently we reported the immune-potentiating capacity of a Chlamydia nanovaccine (PLGA-rMOMP) comprising rMOMP (recombinant major outer membrane protein) encapsulated in extended-releasing PLGA [poly (D, L-lactide-co-glycolide) (85:15)] nanoparticles. Here we hypothesized that PLGA-rMOMP would bolster immune-effector mechanisms to confer protective efficacy in mice against a Chlamydia muridarum genital challenge and re-challenge. Female BALB/c mice received three immunizations, either subcutaneously (SC) or intranasally (IN), before receiving an intravaginal challenge with C. muridarum on day 49 and a re-challenge on day 170. Both the SC and IN immunization routes protected mice against genital challenge with enhanced protection after a re-challenge, especially in the SC mice. The nanovaccine induced robust antigen-specific Th1 (IFN-γ, IL-2) and IL-17 cytokines plus CD4+ proliferating T-cells and memory (CD44high CD62Lhigh) and effector (CD44high CD62Llow) phenotypes in immunized mice. Parallel induction of antigen-specific systemic and mucosal Th1 (IgG2a, IgG2b), Th2 (IgG1), and IgA antibodies were also noted. Importantly, immunized mice produced highly functional Th1 avidity and serum antibodies that neutralized C. muridarum infectivity of McCoy fibroblasts in-vitro that correlated with their respective protection levels. The SC, rather than the IN immunization route, triggered higher cellular and humoral immune effectors that improved mice protection against genital C. muridarum. We report for the first time that the extended-releasing PLGA 85:15 encapsulated rMOMP nanovaccine confers protective immunity in mice against genital Chlamydia and advances the potential towards acquiring a nano-based Chlamydia vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajnish Sahu
- Center for NanoBiotechnology Research, Department of Biological Sciences, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, United States
| | - Saurabh Dixit
- Center for NanoBiotechnology Research, Department of Biological Sciences, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, United States
| | - Richa Verma
- Center for NanoBiotechnology Research, Department of Biological Sciences, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, United States
| | - Skyla A. Duncan
- Center for NanoBiotechnology Research, Department of Biological Sciences, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, United States
| | - Lula Smith
- Center for NanoBiotechnology Research, Department of Biological Sciences, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, United States
| | - Guillermo H. Giambartolomei
- Instituto de Inmunología, Genética y Metabolismo (INIGEM), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Shree R. Singh
- Center for NanoBiotechnology Research, Department of Biological Sciences, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, United States
| | - Vida A. Dennis
- Center for NanoBiotechnology Research, Department of Biological Sciences, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, United States
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Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is the most commonly reported sexually transmitted infection in the United States. The high prevalence of infection and lack of a vaccine indicate a critical knowledge gap surrounding the host's response to infection and how to effectively generate protective immunity. The immune response to C. trachomatis is complex, with cells of the adaptive immune system playing a crucial role in bacterial clearance. Here, we discuss the CD4+ and CD8+ T cell response to Chlamydia, the importance of antigen specificity and the role of memory T cells during the recall response. Ultimately, a deeper understanding of protective immune responses is necessary to develop a vaccine that prevents the inflammatory diseases associated with Chlamydia infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer D Helble
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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Mercado MAB, Du W, Malaviarachchi PA, Gann JI, Li LX. Innate IFN-γ Is Essential for Systemic Chlamydia muridarum Control in Mice, While CD4 T Cell-Dependent IFN-γ Production Is Highly Redundant in the Female Reproductive Tract. Infect Immun 2021; 89. [PMID: 33257535 DOI: 10.1128/IAI.00541-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Protective immunity against the obligate intracellular bacterium Chlamydia has long been thought to rely on CD4 T cell-dependent gamma interferon (IFN-γ) production. Nevertheless, whether IFN-γ is produced by other cellular sources during Chlamydia infection and how CD4 T cell-dependent and -independent IFN-γ contribute differently to host resistance have not been carefully evaluated. In this study, we dissected the requirements of IFN-γ produced by innate immune cells and CD4 T cells for resolution of Chlamydia muridarum female reproductive tract (FRT) infection. After C. muridarum intravaginal infection, IFN-γ-deficient and T cell-deficient mice exhibited opposite phenotypes for survival and bacterial shedding at the FRT mucosa, demonstrating the distinct requirements for IFN-γ and CD4 T cells in host defense against Chlamydia In Rag1-deficient mice, IFN-γ produced by innate lymphocytes (ILCs) accounted for early bacterial control and prolonged survival in the absence of adaptive immunity. Although type I ILCs are potent IFN-γ producers, we found that mature NK cells and ILC1s were not the sole sources of innate IFN-γ in response to Chlamydia By conducting T cell adoptive transfer, we showed definitively that IFN-γ-deficient CD4 T cells were sufficient for effective bacterial killing in the FRT during the first 21 days of infection and reduced bacterial burden more than 1,000-fold, although mice receiving IFN-γ-deficient CD4 T cells failed to completely eradicate the bacteria from the FRT like their counterparts receiving wild-type (WT) CD4 T cells. Together, our results revealed that innate IFN-γ is essential for preventing systemic Chlamydia dissemination, whereas IFN-γ produced by CD4 T cells is largely redundant at the FRT mucosa.
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Li J, Zheng J, Wang M, Zhang Y, Jiang Y, Zhang X, Guo P. [Inhibition of CD96 enhances interferon-γ secretion by natural killer cells to alleviate lung injury in mice with pulmonary Chlamydia muridarum infection]. Nan Fang Yi Ke Da Xue Xue Bao 2020; 40:930-935. [PMID: 32895152 DOI: 10.12122/j.issn.1673-4254.2020.07.03] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the effect of neutralizing CD96 on natural killer (NK) cell functions in mice with pulmonary Chlamydia muridarum infection and explore the possible mechanism. METHODS Male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into infection group (Cm group), anti-CD96 treatment group (anti-CD96 group) and control group (n=5). In the former two groups, C. muridarum was inoculated via intranasal administration to establish mouse models of pulmonary C. muridarum infection, and the mice in the control group received intranasal administration of the inhalation buffer. In anti-CD96 group, the mice were injected with anti-CD96 antibody intraperitoneally at the dose of 250 μg every 3 days after the infection; the mice in Cm group received intraperitoneal injections of saline. The body weight of the mice was recorded daily. The mice were sacrificed 5 days after C. muridarum infection, and CD96 expression was detected by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting. HE staining and pathological scores were used to evaluate pneumonia of the mice. The inclusion body forming units (IFUs) were detected in the lung tissue homogenates to assess lung tissue chlamydia load. Flow cytometry and ELISA were used to assess the capacity of the lung NK cells to produce interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and regulate macrophages and Th1 cells. RESULTS C. muridarum infection inhibited CD96 expression in NK cells of the mice. Compared with those in Cm group, the mice in antiCD96 mice showed significantly milder lung inflammation (P < 0.05) and reduced chlamydia load in the lung tissue (P < 0.05). Neutralizing CD96 with anti-CD96 significantly enhanced IFN-γ secretion by the NK cells (P < 0.05) and augmented the immunoregulatory effect of the NK cells shown by enhanced responses of the lung macrophages (P < 0.05) and Th1 cells (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Inhibition of CD96 alleviates pneumonia in C. muridarum-infected mice possibly by enhancing IFN-γ secretion by NK cells and augmenting the immunoregulatory effect of the NK cells on innate and adaptive immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233004, China
| | - Jing Zheng
- Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233004, China
| | - Minda Wang
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Tissue Transplantation, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233030, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Tissue Transplantation, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233030, China
| | - Yifan Jiang
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Tissue Transplantation, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233030, China
| | - Xiaofeng Zhang
- Central Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233004, China
| | - Pu Guo
- Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233004, China
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