Secretion of cytokines by human synoviocytes during in vitro infection with Chlamydia trachomatis.
OBJECTIVE
Since Chlamydia-induced reactive arthritis is associated with the presence of viable chlamydiae in the synovial membrane, we studied the ability of Chlamydia trachomatis to stimulate a cytokine response by fibroblast-like synoviocytes in culture.


METHODS
Fibroblast-like cells derived from biopsies of the synovial membrane were infected with Chlamydia trachomatis serotype E. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were determined using bio-assays. Granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GMCSF) was quantified by ELISA.


RESULTS
Fibroblast-like synovial cells were capable of supporting chlamydial growth in vitro. Chlamydia trachomatis stimulated synoviocytes to produce IL-6, TGF-beta, and GMCSF. IL-1beta increased the production of IL-6 and GMCSF by mock-infected and infected cells. Treatment of synoviocytes with interferon-gamma resulted in the release of TNF-alpha in response to chlamydial infection.


CONCLUSIONS
Chlamydia-induced cytokine release from synovial fibroblasts may contribute to alterations in the synovial membrane promoting the development of joint inflammation.
Rödel
J
J
Institute of Medical Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University of Jena, Germany. Roedel@BACH.med.uni-jena.de
Straube
E
E
Lungershausen
W
W
Hartmann
M
M
Groh
A
A
D001419:Bacteria; D001681:Biological Assay; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000254:growth & development; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
D016207:Cytokines; D015850:Interleukin-6; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor