title: Recent advances in technologies for developing drugs against Chlamydia pneumoniae.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The unique morphological characteristics, capacity of manipulating host cell function and association with chronic inflammatory diseases represent the features of Chlamydia pneumoniae that have fascinated scientists and medical professionals for several decades.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this paper, the authors review the current status of attempts to discover and develop drugs against C. pneumoniae, including: the discovery of non-conventional antichlamydial agents, targeting chlamydial type 3 secretion system, approved drug repositioning and combination therapies. In addition, the authors discuss the recent advances in C. pneumoniae-related genomics and proteomics research and genetic manipulation technologies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on current knowledge, it is important for researchers to continue to focus on phenotypic assays on persistent infections. There should also be a careful evaluation of the physicochemical properties of the lead candidates and attempts toward more narrow-spectrum antibacterial agents. All these elements are important for successful lead generation. The recent advances in understanding C. pneumoniae biology and breakthroughs in genetic transformation are likely to improve the potential for identifying and validating therapeutic targets within both the bacterium and its host cells.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, CDR, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki , FI-00014 Helsinki , Finland +358 9 19159164 ; leena.hanski@helsinki.fi.
authors.forename: Leena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hanski
authors.forename: Pia M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Vuorela
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D023521:Chlamydophila Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016993:Chlamydophila pneumoniae / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D055808:Drug Discovery; D023281:Genomics; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
keywords: Chlamydia pneumoniae; Gram-negative; atypical pneumonia; bacterium; drug discovery; persistence; respiratory pathogen