Immunopathogenic consequences of Chlamydia trachomatis 60 kDa heat shock protein expression in the female reproductive tract.

Authors: Linhares IM, Witkin SS Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular bacterium that infects chiefly urogenital and ocular epithelial cells. In some infected women the microorganism migrates to the upper reproductive tract resulting in a chronic, but asymptomatic, infection. The immune response to this infection, production of interferon-gamma and pro-inflammatory cytokines, results in interruption of chlamydial intracellular replication. However, the Chlamydia remains viable and enters into a persistent state. In this form, most chlamydial genes are inactive. An exception is the gene coding for the 60 kDa heat shock protein (hsp60), which is synthesized in increased amounts and is released into the extracellular milieu. The chronic release of chlamydial hsp60 induces a lo...

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