Chlamydia trachomatis heat shock proteins 60 and 10 induce apoptosis in endocervical epithelial cells.
OBJECTIVE
The potential role of chlamydial heat shock proteins (cHSP) 60 and cHSP10 in apoptosis of primary cervical epithelial cells was investigated.


METHODS
Primary cervical epithelial cells were stimulated with cHSP60 and cHSP10 for 4 h. Quantitative measurements of apoptosis were made using cytofluorometry, and apoptosis-related genes were analyzed by microarray, real-time PCR and western blotting. Further, levels of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-18 and IL-1β) were determined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR.


RESULTS
After a 4-h incubation in the presence of recombinant cHSP60 or cHSP10, the number of cells exhibiting annexin V binding activity increased 6- and 5-fold, respectively (P < 0.05). A DNA microarray study showed significant (P < 0.05) upregulation of interleukin (IL)-1 β-convertase, and caspase-3, -8 and -9 genes in cHSP60- and cHSP10-stimulated than in control cells as confirmed by real-time RT-PCR and western blotting. Transcript levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in cells treated with cHSP60 and cHSP10 were found to be significantly (P < 0.05) higher in stimulated than in control cells.


CONCLUSIONS
cHSP60- and cHSP10-induced caspase expression, proinflammatory cytokine production and apoptosis of primary cervical epithelial cells might play a role in the pathogenesis of infertility in women with persistent chlamydial infection.
Jha
Rajneesh
R
Institute of Pathology, ICMR, Safdarjung Hospital Campus, Post Box no 4909, New Delhi 110 029, India.
Vardhan
Harsh
H
Bas
Sylvette
S
Salhan
Sudha
S
Mittal
Aruna
A
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000166:cytology*; D018835:Chaperonin 10 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018834:Chaperonin 60 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002690:Chlamydia Infections; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000378:metabolism*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D046228:Microarray Analysis; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051195:Toll-Like Receptor 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D018835:Chaperonin 10; D018834:Chaperonin 60; D016207:Cytokines; D016328:NF-kappa B; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C495342:TLR2 protein, human; C495345:TLR4 protein, human; D051195:Toll-Like Receptor 2; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4; D020169:Caspases