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Human antibody responses to a Chlamydia-secreted protease factor
Jyotika Sharma1, Anthony M Bosnic, Jeanna M Piper
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.
Infection and Immunity
|November 24, 2004
Summary
Chlamydial proteasome/protease-like activity factor (CPAF) is synthesized during live Chlamydia trachomatis infections in humans and elicits an immune response. This indicates CPAF plays a role in human chlamydial infections.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Chlamydia-secreted protein CPAF is found in infected host cells.
- CPAF degrades host transcription factors, impacting MHC antigen expression in vitro.
- Its in vivo relevance in human infections remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if CPAF is produced during human chlamydial infections.
- To investigate the immunogenicity of CPAF in vivo.
- To assess CPAF's role in Chlamydia trachomatis pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Assessing CPAF synthesis requirement for live Chlamydia replication.
- Analyzing antibody responses to CPAF in mice inoculated with live or dead Chlamydia.
- Measuring CPAF-specific antibody levels in human serum samples from cervicitis patients.
Main Results:
- CPAF is not pre-existent in Chlamydia; its synthesis requires live organism replication.
- Mice infected with live Chlamydia mounted a strong antibody response to CPAF.
- Human sera from Chlamydia trachomatis cervicitis cases showed elevated CPAF antibodies compared to other Chlamydia antigens.
Conclusions:
- CPAF is synthesized during active Chlamydia trachomatis infections in vivo.
- CPAF is immunogenic in both animal models and human infections.
- These findings suggest CPAF is a relevant factor in human chlamydial infections.