Transmission of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection from blood monocytes to vascular cells in a novel transendothelial migration model.
Chlamydia pneumoniae uses blood monocytes (PBMC) for systemic dissemination, persists in atherosclerotic lesions, and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. During transmigration in a newly developed transendothelial migration model (TEM) C. pneumoniae-infected PBMC spread their infection to endothelial cells. Transmigrated PBMC retained their infectivity and transmitted the pathogen to smooth muscle cells in the lower chamber of the TEM. Detection of chlamydial HSP60 mRNA proved pathogen viability and virulence. We conclude that PBMC can spread chlamydial infection to vascular wall cells and we suggest the TEM as a novel tool to analyze host-pathogen interactions in vascular chlamydial infections.
Rupp
Jan
J
Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Luebeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23560 Luebeck, Germany.
Koch
Marcus
M
van Zandbergen
Ger
G
vanZandbergen
Ger
G
Solbach
Werner
W
Brandt
Ernst
E
Maass
Matthias
M
D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D002465:Cell Movement; D002478:Cells, Cultured / Q000166:cytology / Q000382:microbiology; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000635:transmission*; D016993:Chlamydophila pneumoniae / Q000502:physiology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000382:microbiology; D008954:Models, Biological; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000382:microbiology