The Chlamydia trachomatis secreted effector protein CT181 binds to Mcl-1 to prolong neutrophil survival

Chlamydia trachomatis (C.t) infections can lead to severe complications due to the pathogen's ability to evade the host immune response, often resulting in asymptomatic infections. The mechanisms underlying this immune subversion remain incompletely understood but likely involve specific bacterial effector proteins. Here, we identify CT181 as a novel effector that directly binds to Mcl-1, a key regulator of neutrophil survival. While a C.t. CT181 mutant exhibited only modest defects in epithelial cell replication and inclusion development, it was essential for C.t. survival in neutrophils, correlating with Mcl-1 stabilization. Using a murine infection model, we demonstrate that CT181 is required for C.t. colonization and cytokine production in vivo. Our findings establish CT181 as the first bacterial effector protein known to bind Mcl-1 to enhance neutrophil survival, revealing a critical strategy by which C.t. promotes immune dysregulation, facilitating bacterial persistence while driving C.t. pathogenesis.