Proteomic analysis of differentially expressed Chlamydia pneumoniae genes during persistent infection of HEp-2 cells

Recent data have shown that the respiratory pathogen Chlamydia pneumoniae expresses an altered gene transcription profile during gamma interferon (IFN-gamma)-induced persistent infection in vitro. In the present study, we examined, by proteomics, expression of C. pneumoniae proteins labeled intracellularly with [(35)S]methionine/cysteine under normal conditions or IFN-gamma-mediated persistence. The identity of differentially expressed proteins during persistent infection was determined by matching spots to those of proteins identified in C. pneumoniae elementary bodies by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry. Upon treatment with 50 U of IFN-gamma per ml, a marked upregulation of major outer membrane protein (MOMP), heat shock protein 60 (Hsp-60/GroEL), and proteins with functions in DNA replication (GyrA), transcription (RpoA, PnP), translation (Rrf), glycolysis (PgK, GlgP), and type III secretion (SctN) was observed at 24 h of infection. In contrast, no significant decreases in bacterial protein expression were found in C. pneumoniae-infected cells due to IFN-gamma treatment. Upregulation of C. pneumoniae proteins involved in diverse functions during persistent infection may allow the organism to resist the inhibitory effects of IFN-gamma while retaining basic functions. Future studies should examine the differential expression of chlamydial proteins during the developmental cycle under IFN-gamma pressure to obtain a finer representation of the gene products involved in establishing persistence.