Deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis, cell cycle progression, and division of Chlamydia-infected HeLa 229 cells

The fate of lymphogranuloma venereum strain Chlamydia-infected HeLa 229 cells was examined by determining the rate of deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis and the kinetics of entry into and progression through S phase and by time-lapse cinemicrography. At an input multiplicity of 5 or less, Chlamydia-infected cells showed no inhibition of host deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis or cell cycle progression. Cinemicrography showed division of inclusion-containing cells, with one or both daughters receiving chlamydial inclusions. Analysis of the family trees indicated that the generation times of infected HeLa 229 were not altered relative to those of the uninfected cells.