Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Examination of Pyroptosis by Flow Cytometry
05:14

Examination of Pyroptosis by Flow Cytometry

Published on: May 31, 2024

Chlamydia psittaci induces GSDME-mediated pyroptosis via the ROS-JNK signaling pathway

Cui Xiao1, Canming Hu1, Zhe Liu1

  • 1Department of public health laboratory sciences, School of public health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China.

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry
|July 4, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Chlamydia psittaci infection triggers pyroptosis, a cell death process, via the ROS-JNK signaling pathway and GSDME activation. This pathway also limits bacterial replication, offering potential therapeutic targets for psittacosis.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Immunology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Chlamydia psittaci causes atypical pneumonia and is an obligate intracellular zoonotic pathogen.
  • Pyroptosis, a programmed cell death, is crucial for combating intracellular infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if C. psittaci infection induces GSDME-mediated pyroptosis via the ROS-JNK signaling pathway.
  • To explore the role of this pathway in C. psittaci replication.

Main Methods:

  • Infection of human cervical epithelial (HeLa) cells with C. psittaci.
  • Assessing pyroptosis markers (caspase-3 activation, GSDME cleavage).
  • Measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS) and phosphorylated JNK (JNK) levels.
  • Utilizing ROS scavenger (NAC) and JNK inhibitor (SP600125).

Main Results:

  • C. psittaci infection activated caspase-3 and cleaved GSDME, inducing pyroptosis.
  • Infection elevated intracellular ROS and phosphorylated JNK levels.
  • NAC and SP600125 treatments suppressed pyroptosis.
  • Inhibiting the caspase-3-GSDME axis or ROS-JNK pathway increased C. psittaci inclusion bodies.

Conclusions:

  • The ROS/JNK signaling pathway modulates GSDME-mediated pyroptosis in C. psittaci infection.
  • This pathway restricts C. psittaci replication in host cells.
  • The ROS-JNK-GSDME axis is a key mechanism in C. psittaci-induced pyroptosis, revealing potential therapeutic targets for psittacosis.
Keywords:
Chlamydia psittaciGSDMEJNKPyroptosisROS

More Related Videos

Forward Genetic Approaches in Chlamydia trachomatis09:03

Forward Genetic Approaches in Chlamydia trachomatis

Published on: October 23, 2013

Parasite Induced Genetically Driven Autoimmune Chagas Heart Disease in the Chicken Model09:23

Parasite Induced Genetically Driven Autoimmune Chagas Heart Disease in the Chicken Model

Published on: July 29, 2012

Related Concept Videos

Bacterial Phylum Chlamydiae01:29

Bacterial Phylum Chlamydiae

The phylum Chlamydiae or Chlamydiota is composed of a single order, Chlamydiales. This phylum consists entirely of obligate intracellular parasites that infect eukaryotic hosts. While human pathogens within this group have been studied extensively, the phylum encompasses many species capable of interacting with various eukaryotic organisms. Members of Chlamydiae are typically small cocci, approximately 0.5 μm in diameter, and exhibit a distinctive developmental cycle. As is characteristic of...
GPCRs Regulate Adenylyl Cylase Activity01:09

GPCRs Regulate Adenylyl Cylase Activity

Some GPCRs transmit signals through adenylyl cyclase (AC), a transmembrane enzyme. AC helps synthesize second messenger cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). AC catalyzes cyclization reaction and converts ATP to cAMP by releasing a pyrophosphate. The pyrophosphate is further hydrolyzed to phosphate by the enzyme pyrophosphatase, which drives cAMP synthesis to completion. However, cAMP is rapidly degraded to 5′ AMP by the enzymes phosphodiesterase (PDE), preventing overstimulation of cells.
Two...