Chlamydial heat shock protein 60--specific T cells in inflamed salpingeal tissue.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the role of chlamydial heat shock protein 60 (CHSP60)-specific T-lymphocytes in tubal factor infertility.


METHODS
Case series of patients with tubal factor infertility.


METHODS
Infertility Clinic, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Helsinki University Central Hospital and Laboratory of Cell-Mediated Immunity, National Public Health Institute, Oulu, Finland.


METHODS
Five patients with tubal factor infertility who underwent elective salpingectomy because of hydrosalpinges.


METHODS
Collection of salpingeal tissue specimens for in vitro culture of T-lymphocytes.


METHODS
Cloning of Chlamydia trachomatis and CHSP60-specific T-lymphocyte lines derived from inflamed salpingeal tissue. Cytokine production analysis of the established T-lymphocyte clones.


RESULTS
Seventy-seven (34%) of the 229 T-lymphocyte clones recognized C. trachomatis and C. pneumoniae elementary bodies as target antigens. One-third of these Chlamydia genus-specific T-lymphocyte clones further recognized CHSP60 as the target antigen. Most of the CHSP60-specific T-lymphocyte clones produced predominantly IL-10.


CONCLUSIONS
CHSP60 may be an important T-lymphocyte antigen involved in the immunopathogenesis of tubal damage associated with chronic C. trachomatis infection.
Kinnunen
Anne
A
National Public Health Institute, Oulu, Finland
Molander
Pontus
P
Morrison
Richard
R
Lehtinen
Matti
M
Karttunen
Riitta
R
Tiitinen
Aila
A
Paavonen
Jorma
J
Surcel
Heljä Marja
HM
D000328:Adult; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018834:Chaperonin 60 / Q000032:analysis*; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000150:complications*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002999:Clone Cells; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005656:Fungal Proteins; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000209:etiology; D007249:Inflammation; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D012488:Salpingitis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000382:microbiology*; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology
C092693:CTF18 protein, S cerevisiae; D018834:Chaperonin 60; D016207:Cytokines; D005656:Fungal Proteins; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins