CFTR is required for cellular entry and internalization of Chlamydia trachomatis.

Authors: Ajonuma LC, Fok KL, Ho LS, Chan PK, Chow PH, Tsang LL, Wong CH, Chen J, Li S, Rowlands DK, Chung YW, Chan HC Chlamydia (C.) trachomatis is an obligate intracellular gram-negative pathogen affecting over 600 million people worldwide with 92 million new cases occurring globally each year. C. trachomatis enter the cells and replicate to infect different tissues/organs giving rise to a spectrum of pathological conditions, however, the exact mechanism or receptor(s) for its entry is not well understood. Here we report that cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), an apical epithelial anion channel, is required for cellular entry and internalization of C. trachomatis. Human epithelial cell lines expressing functional CFTR internalized more C. trachomatis than the ...

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