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Armitage CW, O'Meara CP, Bryan ER, Kollipara A, Trim LK, Hickey D, Carey AJ, Huston WM, Donnelly G, Yazdani A, Blumberg RS, Beagley KW. IgG exacerbates genital chlamydial pathology in females by enhancing pathogenic CD8 + T cell responses. Scand J Immunol 2024; 99:e13331. [PMID: 38441219 PMCID: PMC10909563 DOI: 10.1111/sji.13331] [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: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis infections are an important sexually transmitted infection that can lead to inflammation, scarring and hydrosalpinx/infertility. However, infections are commonly clinically asymptomatic and do not receive treatment. The underlying cause of asymptomatic immunopathology remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate that IgG produced during male infection enhanced the incidence of immunopathology and infertility in females. Human endocervical cells expressing the neonatal Fc Receptor (FcRn) increased translocation of human IgG-opsonized C. trachomatis. Using total IgG purified from infected male mice, we opsonized C. muridarum and then infected female mice, mimicking sexual transmission. Following infection, IgG-opsonized Chlamydia was found to transcytose the epithelial barrier in the uterus, where it was phagocytosed by antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and trafficked to the draining lymph nodes. APCs then expanded both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell populations and caused significantly more infertility in female mice infected with non-opsonized Chlamydia. Enhanced phagocytosis of IgG-opsonized Chlamydia significantly increased pro-inflammatory signalling and T cell proliferation. As IgG is transcytosed by FcRn, we utilized FcRn-/- mice and observed that shedding kinetics of Chlamydia were only affected in FcRn-/- mice infected with IgG-opsonized Chlamydia. Depletion of CD8+ T cells in FcRn-/- mice lead to a significant reduction in the incidence of infertility. Taken together, these data demonstrate that IgG seroconversion during male infection can amplify female immunopathology, dependent on FcRn transcytosis, APC differentiation and enhanced CD8 T cell responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles W. Armitage
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control and School of Biomedical SciencesQueensland University of Technology (QUT)BrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Connor P. O'Meara
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control and School of Biomedical SciencesQueensland University of Technology (QUT)BrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
- Drop Bio Ltd, School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences (BABS)University of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Emily R. Bryan
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control and School of Biomedical SciencesQueensland University of Technology (QUT)BrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Avinash Kollipara
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control and School of Biomedical SciencesQueensland University of Technology (QUT)BrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Logan K. Trim
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control and School of Biomedical SciencesQueensland University of Technology (QUT)BrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Danica Hickey
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control and School of Biomedical SciencesQueensland University of Technology (QUT)BrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Alison J. Carey
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control and School of Biomedical SciencesQueensland University of Technology (QUT)BrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Wilhelmina M. Huston
- School of Life SciencesUniversity of Technology (UTS) SydneyUltimoNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Gavin Donnelly
- Queensland Fertility Group (QFG)BrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Anusch Yazdani
- Queensland Fertility Group (QFG)BrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Richard S. Blumberg
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of MedicineBrigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Kenneth W. Beagley
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control and School of Biomedical SciencesQueensland University of Technology (QUT)BrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
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2
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Armitage CW, Carey AJ, Bryan ER, Kollipara A, Trim LK, Beagley KW. Pathogenic NKT cells attenuate urogenital chlamydial clearance and enhance infertility. Scand J Immunol 2023; 97:e13263. [PMID: 36872855 PMCID: PMC10909442 DOI: 10.1111/sji.13263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
Urogenital chlamydial infections continue to increase with over 127 million people affected annually, causing significant economic and public health pressures. While the role of traditional MHCI and II peptide presentation is well defined in chlamydial infections, the role of lipid antigens in immunity remains unclear. Natural killer (NK) T cells are important effector cells that recognize and respond to lipid antigens during infections. Chlamydial infection of antigen-presenting cells facilitates presentation of lipid on the MHCI-like protein, CD1d, which stimulates NKT cells to respond. During urogenital chlamydial infection, wild-type (WT) female mice had significantly greater chlamydial burden than CD1d-/- (NKT-deficient) mice, and had significantly greater incidence and severity of immunopathology in both primary and secondary infections. WT mice had similar vaginal lymphocytic infiltrate, but 59% more oviduct occlusion compared to CD1d-/- mice. Transcriptional array analysis of oviducts day 6 post-infection revealed WT mice had elevated levels of Ifnγ (6-fold), Tnfα (38-fold), Il6 (2.5-fold), Il1β (3-fold) and Il17a (6-fold) mRNA compared to CD1d-/- mice. In infected females, oviduct tissues had an elevated infiltration of CD4+ -invariant NKT (iNKT) cells, however, iNKT-deficient Jα18-/- mice had no significant differences in hydrosalpinx severity or incidence compared to WT controls. Lipid mass spectrometry of surface-cleaved CD1d in infected macrophages revealed an enhancement of presented lipids and cellular sequestration of sphingomyelin. Taken together, these data suggest an immunopathogenic role for non-invariant NKT cells in urogenital chlamydial infections, facilitated by lipid presentation via CD1d via infected antigen-presenting cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles W. Armitage
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control and School of Biomedical SciencesQueensland University of TechnologyBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Alison J. Carey
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control and School of Biomedical SciencesQueensland University of TechnologyBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Emily R. Bryan
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control and School of Biomedical SciencesQueensland University of TechnologyBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Avinash Kollipara
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control and School of Biomedical SciencesQueensland University of TechnologyBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Logan K. Trim
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control and School of Biomedical SciencesQueensland University of TechnologyBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Kenneth W. Beagley
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control and School of Biomedical SciencesQueensland University of TechnologyBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
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3
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Mulvey PBM, Trim LK, Aaskov JG, Bryan ER, Sweeney EL, Kollipara A, Plenderleith MB, Aldwell FE, Beagley KW. Primary oral vaccination followed by a vaginal pull protects mice against genital HSV-2 infection. Am J Reprod Immunol 2023; 89:e13668. [PMID: 36484330 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13668] [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] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM HSV-2 infected more than 491 million people aged 15-49 world-wide in 2016. The morbidity associated with recurrent infections and the increased risk of HIV infection make this a major health problem. To date there is no effective vaccine. Because HSV-2 ascends to the dorsal route ganglion within 12-18 h of infection, an effective vaccine will need to elicit a strong local resident CD8+ T cell response to prevent the infection from becoming life-long. METHOD OF STUDY Using a mouse model we investigated the potential of oral immunization with a novel lipid adjuvant (LiporaleTM ) followed by local vaginal application of an inflammatory agents to protect against primary HSV-2 infections. RESULTS Oral vaccination of mice with live-attenuated HSV-2 in Liporale followed by vaginal application of DNFB or CXCL9/10 led to recruitment of tissue-resident CD8+ memory cells into the genital epithelia. This prime and pull vaccination strategy provided complete protection against wild-type HSV-2 challenge and prevented viral dissemination to the spinal cords. CONCLUSIONS Activation of mucosal immunity by oral immunization, combined with induction of transient local genital inflammation can recruit long-lived tissue resident CD8+ T cells into the genital epithelium, providing significant protection against primary HSV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter B M Mulvey
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Queensland, Australia
| | - Logan K Trim
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Queensland, Australia
| | - John G Aaskov
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Queensland, Australia
| | - Emily R Bryan
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Queensland, Australia
| | - Emma L Sweeney
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Queensland, Australia
| | - Avinash Kollipara
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Queensland, Australia
| | - Mark B Plenderleith
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Queensland, Australia
| | - Frank E Aldwell
- Otago Innovation Ltd, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Kenneth W Beagley
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Queensland, Australia
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4
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Bryan ER, Trim LK, Sadowski P, Paramasivan S, Kim JJ, Gough K, Worley S, Maidment TI, Carey AJ, Mihalas B, McLaughlin EA, Beagley KW. Vaccination protects from chlamydial infertility. Biol Reprod 2023; 108:758-777. [PMID: 36799886 PMCID: PMC10183362 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad021] [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] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection worldwide and it is widely acknowledged that controlling the rampant community transmission of this infection requires vaccine development. In this study, for the first time, we elucidate the long-term response to male mouse chlamydial vaccination with chlamydial major outer membrane protein (MOMP) and ISCOMATRIX (IMX) both prophylactically and in a novel therapeutic setting. Vaccination significantly reduced and, in some cases, cleared chlamydial burden from the prostates, epididymides, and testes, which correlates with high IgG and IgA tires in tissues and serum. Important markers of sperm health and fertility were protected including sperm motility and proteins associated with fertility in men. Within splenocytes, expression of IFNγ, TNFα, IL17, IL13, IL10, and TGFβ were changed by both infection and vaccination within CD4 and CD8 T cells and regulatory T cells. Within the testicular tissue, phenotypic and concentration changes were observed in macrophages and T cells (resident and transitory). This revealed some pathogenic phenotypes associated with infection and critically that vaccination allows maintenance of testicular homeostasis, likely by preventing significant influx of CD4 T cells and promoting IL10 production. Finally, we demonstrated the testes contained immature (B220+) B cells and mature (CD138+) Chlamydia-specific plasma cells. Thus, through vaccination, we can maintain the healthy function of the testes, which is vital to protection of male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R Bryan
- Queensland University of Technology, School of Biomedical Sciences and Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, Faculty of Health, 300 Herston Rd, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Logan K Trim
- Queensland University of Technology, School of Biomedical Sciences and Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, Faculty of Health, 300 Herston Rd, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Pawel Sadowski
- Queensland University of Technology, Central Analytical Research Facility, 2 George Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
| | - Selvam Paramasivan
- Queensland University of Technology, Central Analytical Research Facility, 2 George Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
| | - Jay J Kim
- Queensland University of Technology, School of Biomedical Sciences and Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, Faculty of Health, 300 Herston Rd, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Kyle Gough
- Queensland University of Technology, School of Biomedical Sciences and Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, Faculty of Health, 300 Herston Rd, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Sophia Worley
- Queensland University of Technology, School of Biomedical Sciences and Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, Faculty of Health, 300 Herston Rd, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Toby I Maidment
- Queensland University of Technology, School of Biomedical Sciences and Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, Faculty of Health, 300 Herston Rd, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Alison J Carey
- Queensland University of Technology, School of Biomedical Sciences and Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, Faculty of Health, 300 Herston Rd, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Bettina Mihalas
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Eileen A McLaughlin
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.,Faculty of Science, Medicine & Health, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Faculty of Science, University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Kenneth W Beagley
- Queensland University of Technology, School of Biomedical Sciences and Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, Faculty of Health, 300 Herston Rd, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
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5
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Russell FA, Trim LK, Savi FM, Simon C, Dargaville TR, Hutmacher DW, Beagley KW. Controlled release vaccine implants for delivery of booster immunisations. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2022; 253:110484. [PMID: 36174421 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2022.110484] [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] [Received: 12/05/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Most current animal vaccine regimes involve a primary vaccination followed sometime later by a booster vaccination. This presents challenges when vaccinating difficult to access animals such as livestock. Mustering livestock to deliver a vaccine boost is costly and stressful for animals. Thus, we have produced a platform system that can be administered at the same time as the priming immunisation and delivers payload after an appropriate delay time to boost the immune response, without need for further handling of animals. A 30 × 2 mm osmotically triggered polymer implant device with burst-release characteristics delivered the booster dose of a tetanus vaccine. Blood samples were collected from an experimental group that received the priming vaccine and implant on day 0 and control group that received the initial vaccine (tetanus toxoid) and then a bolus dose 28 days later via subcutaneous injection. The two groups showed identical weight gain curves. T cell proliferation following in vitro stimulation with antigen was identical between the two groups at all time points. However, serum IgG antibody responses to the tetanus toxoid antigen were significantly higher in the control group at weeks 8 and 12. The implant capsules stayed at the site of implantation and at week 12 there was evidence of tissue integration. No local reactions at the implant site were observed, other than mild thickening of the skin in half of the experimental group animals and no other adverse health events were recorded in either group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Freya A Russell
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4059, Australia
| | - Logan K Trim
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Centre for Immunology and Infection Control (CIIC), 300 Herston Road, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Flavia Medeiros Savi
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Craig Simon
- Medical Engineering Research Facility, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
| | - Tim R Dargaville
- Centre for Materials Science, School of Chemistry and Physics, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
| | - Dietmar W Hutmacher
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4059, Australia; Center for Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Kenneth W Beagley
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Centre for Immunology and Infection Control (CIIC), 300 Herston Road, QLD 4006, Australia.
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6
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Bryan ER, Redgrove KA, Mooney AR, Mihalas BP, Sutherland JM, Carey AJ, Armitage CW, Trim LK, Kollipara A, Mulvey PBM, Palframan E, Trollope G, Bogoevski K, McLachlan R, McLaughlin EA, Beagley KW. Chronic testicular Chlamydia muridarum infection impairs mouse fertility and offspring development†. Biol Reprod 2021; 102:888-901. [PMID: 31965142 PMCID: PMC7124966 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioz229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [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: 08/18/2019] [Revised: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 01/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
With approximately 131 million new genital tract infections occurring each year, Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted bacterial pathogen worldwide. Male and female infections occur at similar rates and both cause serious pathological sequelae. Despite this, the impact of chlamydial infection on male fertility has long been debated, and the effects of paternal chlamydial infection on offspring development are unknown. Using a male mouse chronic infection model, we show that chlamydial infection persists in the testes, adversely affecting the testicular environment. Infection increased leukocyte infiltration, disrupted the blood:testis barrier and reduced spermiogenic cell numbers and seminiferous tubule volume. Sperm from infected mice had decreased motility, increased abnormal morphology, decreased zona-binding capacity, and increased DNA damage. Serum anti-sperm antibodies were also increased. When both acutely and chronically infected male mice were bred with healthy female mice, 16.7% of pups displayed developmental abnormalities. Female offspring of chronically infected sires had smaller reproductive tracts than offspring of noninfected sires. The male pups of infected sires displayed delayed testicular development, with abnormalities in sperm vitality, motility, and sperm-oocyte binding evident at sexual maturity. These data suggest that chronic testicular Chlamydia infection can contribute to male infertility, which may have an intergenerational impact on sperm quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R Bryan
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kate A Redgrove
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Alison R Mooney
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Bettina P Mihalas
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jessie M Sutherland
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Alison J Carey
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Charles W Armitage
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Herston, Queensland, Australia.,Peter Goher Department of Immunobiology, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Logan K Trim
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Avinash Kollipara
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Peter B M Mulvey
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ella Palframan
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Gemma Trollope
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kristofor Bogoevski
- Scientific Services, Histology Services, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Robert McLachlan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash Medical Centre, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Eileen A McLaughlin
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Science, Western Sydney University, Richmond, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Life Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Kenneth W Beagley
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Herston, Queensland, Australia
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7
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Bryan ER, Barrero RA, Cheung E, Tickner JAD, Trim LK, Richard D, McLaughlin EA, Beagley KW, Carey AJ. DNA damage contributes to transcriptional and immunological dysregulation of testicular cells during Chlamydia infection. Am J Reprod Immunol 2021; 86:e13400. [PMID: 33565167 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia is the most commonly reported sexually transmitted bacterial infection, with 127 million notifications worldwide each year. Both males and females are susceptible to the pathological impacts on fertility that Chlamydia infections can induce. However, male chlamydial infections, particularly within the upper reproductive tract, including the testis, are not well characterized. In this study, using mouse testicular cell lines, we examined the impact of infection on testicular cell lineage transcriptomes and potential mechanisms for this impact. The somatic cell lineages exhibited significantly fragmented genomes during infection. Likely resulting from this, each of the Leydig, Sertoli and germ cell lineages experienced extensive transcriptional dysregulation, leading to significant changes in cellular biological pathways, including interferon and germ-Sertoli cell signalling. The cell lineages, as well as isolated spermatozoa from infected mice, also contained globally hypomethylated DNA. Cumulatively, the DNA damage and epigenetic-mediated transcriptional dysregulation observed within testicular cells during chlamydial infection could result in the production of spermatozoa with abnormal epigenomes, resulting in previously observed subfertility in infected animals and congenital defects in their offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R Bryan
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, Queensland University of Technology, Herston, QLD, Australia
| | - Roberto A Barrero
- eResearch Office and Division of Research & Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane City, QLD, Australia
| | - Eddie Cheung
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, Queensland University of Technology, Herston, QLD, Australia
| | - Jacob A D Tickner
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Genomics and Precision Health Centre, Queensland University of Technology, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
| | - Logan K Trim
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, Queensland University of Technology, Herston, QLD, Australia
| | - Derek Richard
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Genomics and Precision Health Centre, Queensland University of Technology, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
| | - Eileen A McLaughlin
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,School of Science, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
| | - Kenneth W Beagley
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, Queensland University of Technology, Herston, QLD, Australia
| | - Alison J Carey
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, Queensland University of Technology, Herston, QLD, Australia
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8
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Nazareth L, Walkden H, Chacko A, Delbaz A, Shelper T, Armitage CW, Reshamwala R, Trim LK, St John JA, Beagley KW, Ekberg JAK. Chlamydia muridarum Can Invade the Central Nervous System via the Olfactory and Trigeminal Nerves and Infect Peripheral Nerve Glial Cells. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 10:607779. [PMID: 33489937 PMCID: PMC7819965 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.607779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia pneumoniae can infect the brain and has been linked to late-onset dementia. Chlamydia muridarum, which infects mice, is often used to model human chlamydial infections. While it has been suggested to be also important for modelling brain infection, nervous system infection by C. muridarum has not been reported in the literature. C. pneumoniae has been shown to infect the olfactory bulb in mice after intranasal inoculation, and has therefore been suggested to invade the brain via the olfactory nerve; however, nerve infection has not been shown to date. Another path by which certain bacteria can reach the brain is via the trigeminal nerve, but it remains unknown whether Chlamydia species can infect this nerve. Other bacteria that can invade the brain via the olfactory and/or trigeminal nerve can do so rapidly, however, whether Chlamydia spp. can reach the brain earlier than one-week post inoculation remains unknown. In the current study, we showed that C. muridarum can within 48 h invade the brain via the olfactory nerve, in addition to infecting the trigeminal nerve. We also cultured the glial cells of the olfactory and trigeminal nerves and showed that C. muridarum readily infected the cells, constituting a possible cellular mechanism explaining how the bacteria can invade the nerves without being eliminated by glial immune functions. Further, we demonstrated that olfactory and trigeminal glia differed in their responses to C. muridarum, with olfactory glia showing less infection and stronger immune response than trigeminal glia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynn Nazareth
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Southport, QLD, Australia.,Clem Jones Centre for Neurobiology and Stem Cell Research, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia
| | - Heidi Walkden
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Southport, QLD, Australia.,Clem Jones Centre for Neurobiology and Stem Cell Research, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia
| | - Anu Chacko
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Southport, QLD, Australia.,Clem Jones Centre for Neurobiology and Stem Cell Research, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia
| | - Ali Delbaz
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Southport, QLD, Australia.,Clem Jones Centre for Neurobiology and Stem Cell Research, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia
| | - Todd Shelper
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Southport, QLD, Australia.,Clem Jones Centre for Neurobiology and Stem Cell Research, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia
| | - Charles W Armitage
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Ronak Reshamwala
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Southport, QLD, Australia.,Clem Jones Centre for Neurobiology and Stem Cell Research, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia
| | - Logan K Trim
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - James A St John
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Southport, QLD, Australia.,Clem Jones Centre for Neurobiology and Stem Cell Research, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia.,Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia
| | - Kenneth W Beagley
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Jenny A K Ekberg
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Southport, QLD, Australia.,Clem Jones Centre for Neurobiology and Stem Cell Research, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia.,Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia
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Bryan ER, Kollipara A, Trim LK, Armitage CW, Carey AJ, Mihalas B, Redgrove KA, McLaughlin EA, Beagley KW. Hematogenous dissemination of Chlamydia muridarum from the urethra in macrophages causes testicular infection and sperm DNA damage†. Biol Reprod 2020; 101:748-759. [PMID: 31373361 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioz146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Revised: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence of Chlamydia infection, in both females and males, is increasing worldwide. Male infections have been associated clinically with urethritis, epididymitis, and orchitis, believed to be caused by ascending infection, although the impact of infection on male fertility remains controversial. Using a mouse model of male chlamydial infection, we show that all the major testicular cell populations, germ cells, Sertoli cells, Leydig cells, and testicular macrophages can be productively infected. Furthermore, sperm isolated from vas deferens of infected mice also had increased levels of DNA damage as early as 4 weeks post-infection. Bilateral vasectomy, prior to infection, did not affect the chlamydial load recovered from testes at 2, 4, and 8 weeks post-infection, and Chlamydia-infected macrophages were detectable in blood and the testes as soon as 3 days post-infection. Partial depletion of macrophages with clodronate liposomes significantly reduced the testicular chlamydial burden, consistent with a hematogenous route of infection, with Chlamydia transported to the testes in infected macrophages. These data suggest that macrophages serve as Trojan horses, transporting Chlamydia from the penile urethra to the testes within 3 days of infection, bypassing the entire male reproductive tract. In the testes, infected macrophages likely transfer infection to Leydig, Sertoli, and germ cells, causing sperm DNA damage and impaired spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R Bryan
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Herston, QLD, Australia
| | - Avinash Kollipara
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Herston, QLD, Australia
| | - Logan K Trim
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Herston, QLD, Australia
| | - Charles W Armitage
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Herston, QLD, Australia
| | - Alison J Carey
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Herston, QLD, Australia
| | - Bettina Mihalas
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Kate A Redgrove
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Eileen A McLaughlin
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Science and Technology Office, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT, Australia
| | - Kenneth W Beagley
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Herston, QLD, Australia
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Bryan ER, McLachlan RI, Rombauts L, Katz DJ, Yazdani A, Bogoevski K, Chang C, Giles ML, Carey AJ, Armitage CW, Trim LK, McLaughlin EA, Beagley KW. Detection of chlamydia infection within human testicular biopsies. Hum Reprod 2020; 34:1891-1898. [PMID: 31586185 PMCID: PMC6810529 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dez169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [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: 01/20/2019] [Revised: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Can Chlamydia be found in the testes of infertile men? SUMMARY ANSWER Chlamydia can be found in 16.7% of fresh testicular biopsies and 45.3% of fixed testicular biopsies taken from a selection of infertile men. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Male chlamydial infection has been understudied despite male and female infections occurring at similar rates. This is particularly true of asymptomatic infections, which occur in 50% of cases. Chlamydial infection has also been associated with increased sperm DNA damage and reduced male fertility. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION We collected diagnostic (fixed, n = 100) and therapeutic (fresh, n = 18) human testicular biopsies during sperm recovery procedures from moderately to severely infertile men in a cross-sectional approach to sampling. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS The diagnostic and therapeutic biopsies were tested for Chlamydia-specific DNA and protein, using real-time PCR and immunohistochemical approaches, respectively. Serum samples matched to the fresh biopsies were also assayed for the presence of Chlamydia-specific antibodies using immunoblotting techniques. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Chlamydial major outer membrane protein was detected in fixed biopsies at a rate of 45.3%. This was confirmed by detection of chlamydial DNA and TC0500 protein (replication marker). C. trachomatis DNA was detected in fresh biopsies at a rate of 16.7%, and the sera from each of these three positive patients contained C. trachomatis-specific antibodies. Overall, C. trachomatis-specific antibodies were detected in 72.2% of the serum samples from the patients providing fresh biopsies, although none of the patients were symptomatic nor had they reported a previous sexually transmitted infection diagnosis including Chlamydia. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION No reproductively healthy male testicular biopsies were tested for the presence of Chlamydia DNA or proteins or Chlamydia-specific antibodies due to the unavailability of these samples. WIDER IMPLICATIONS FOR THE FINDINGS Application of Chlamydia-specific PCR and immunohistochemistry in this human male infertility context of testicular biopsies reveals evidence of a high prevalence of previously unrecognised infection, which may potentially have a pathogenic role in spermatogenic failure. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) Funding for this project was provided by the Australian NHMRC under project grant number APP1062198. We also acknowledge assistance from the Monash IVF Group and Queensland Fertility Group in the collection of fresh biopsies, and the Monash Health and co-author McLachlan (declared equity interest) in retrieval and sectioning of fixed biopsies. E.M. declares an equity interest in the study due to financing of fixed biopsy sectioning. All other authors declare no conflicts of interest. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R Bryan
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, 300 Herston Rd, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Robert I McLachlan
- Monash IVF Group, 89 Bridge Road, Richmond, VIC 3121, Australia.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Monash Medical Centre, Monash University, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia.,Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash Medical Centre, Monash University, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Luk Rombauts
- Monash IVF Group, 89 Bridge Road, Richmond, VIC 3121, Australia.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Monash Medical Centre, Monash University, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Darren J Katz
- Men's Health Melbourne, 233 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia.,Department of Surgery, Western Health, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Anusch Yazdani
- Queensland Fertility Group, 55 Little Edward Street, Spring Hill, QLD 4000, Australia
| | - Kristofor Bogoevski
- Histology Services, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, 300 Herston Road, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Crystal Chang
- Histology Services, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, 300 Herston Road, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Michelle L Giles
- Ritchie Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Alison J Carey
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, 300 Herston Rd, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Charles W Armitage
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, 300 Herston Rd, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Logan K Trim
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, 300 Herston Rd, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Eileen A McLaughlin
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.,School of Science Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Canberra, Kirinari Street, Bruce, ACT 2617, Australia.,School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Kenneth W Beagley
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, 300 Herston Rd, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
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