Article
Immunology
Jorma Paavonen, Renee Turzanski Fortner, Matti Lehtinen, Annika Idahl
Summary: The link between Chlamydia trachomatis, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) may be relatively weak, but biologically plausible, requiring further investigation in future studies.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Toni Darville
Summary: Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) often results from sexually transmitted pathogens, leading to subtle or asymptomatic symptoms that may cause tubal factor infertility, ectopic pregnancy, or chronic pelvic pain. Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis are the most common PID pathogens, surviving within the host and requiring T-cell-mediated interferon gamma production for protection. Studies have shown multiple immune evasion mechanisms of these pathogens, but similarities in host immune defenses against both bacteria instill optimism for a combined vaccine for prevention of PID and infections.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Nadja Kading, Nis Schmidt, Celeste Scholz, Simon Graspeuntner, Jan Rupp, Kensuke Shima
Summary: Research indicates that azithromycin (AZM) is less effective than doxycycline (DOX) in treating Chlamydia trachomatis infection, which may be related to the metabolic status of host cells. AZM fails to effectively suppress host cell metabolic pathways, leading to chlamydial reactivation and induced cytokine responses. Further studies are needed to elucidate its functional relevance and impact on disease progression.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kanupriya Gupta, Howard W. Wiener, Hemant K. Tiwari, William M. Geisler
Summary: The study found that HLA DQB1*06 and DQB1*04 are associated with chlamydia reinfection, and this association is not influenced by other nearby HLA class II variants that are also associated with reinfection.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ting Li, Zhaohui Liu, Dai Zhang, Qinping Liao, Shangrong Fan, Min Hao, Ying Hong, Xiufeng Huang, Huilan Wang, Zhengai Xiong, Hong Xu, Fengxia Xue, Min Xue, Xingsheng Yang, Jianqing Zhang
Summary: This study examined the prevalence of genital chlamydia and associated risk factors in Chinese female outpatients with genital tract infections. The results showed that the prevalence rate of chlamydia was 6.33% and the prevalence rate of gonococcal infection was 0.01%. Risk factors for chlamydia included premarital sex behavior, first sexual intercourse before the age of 20, and bacterial vaginosis.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Guangming Zhong
Summary: Research findings suggest that Chlamydia trachomatis plays a significant role in genital tract pathogenicity but can also colonize the gastrointestinal tract for extended periods. Plasmid and chromosome-encoded factors have varying importance in colonization of different parts of the GI tract, playing crucial roles in the spread and colonization of Chlamydia.
TRENDS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ankita Ray, Tanu Bhati, Renu Arora, Sangita Rastogi
Summary: This study evaluated the expression and correlation of miRNAs and cytokines in C. trachomatis-positive spontaneous aborters. The results showed that miR-133a and 101-3p were upregulated and positively correlated with chlamydial load in the infected group. Additionally, progesterone levels were significantly decreased and cytokines (IL-6, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha) were significantly upregulated in C. trachomatis-positive patients. Positive correlation was observed between the expression of miR-133a and 101-3p and cytokines, while negative correlation was observed with progesterone in infected RSA patients. Evaluating the association between C. trachomatis infection and recurrent spontaneous abortion is of clinical importance for diagnosis and treatment.
MOLECULAR IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Reza Mohebi, Cian P. McCarthy, Hanna K. Gaggin, Roland R. J. van Kimmenade, James L. Januzzi
Summary: Four distinct clusters of inflammatory biomarkers were identified, with higher levels of these biomarkers associated with increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events. Individuals with high levels of inflammation markers were more likely to experience cardiovascular events.
AMERICAN HEART JOURNAL
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Robert C. Brunham
Summary: This article discusses the approaches and challenges in developing a Chlamydia trachomatis vaccine, and summarizes two key research directions and unresolved issues in human C. trachomatis immunology.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Michelle Odonkor, Fahd Naufal, Beatriz Munoz, Harran Mkocha, Mabula Kasubi, Meraf Wolle, Sheila West
Summary: The survey in Kongwa District found a TF prevalence of 7.1%, with 21.5% of TF-positive children testing positive for infection. Seropositivity was 18.2% on average, with children born after MDA cessation showing a seroprevalence of 6.7%, indicating exposure to C. trachomatis despite previous interventions.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Animamalar Mayavannan, Emily Shantz, Ian D. Haidl, Jun Wang, Jean S. Marshall
Summary: This study found that human mast cells react to Chlamydia spp. infection through multiple mechanisms, including TLR2-dependent pathways. Additionally, mast cells play an important role in shaping in vivo immune responses in Chlamydia reproductive tract infection by promoting effector cell recruitment and modifying the chemokine microenvironment.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Brandie DePaoli Taylor, Ashley Hill, Maria J. Perez-Patron, Catherine L. Haggerty, Enrique F. Schisterman, Ashley Naimi, Akaninyene Noah, Camillia R. Comeaux
Summary: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are associated with sexually transmitted infections, particularly Chlamydia and gonorrhea, which may increase the risk of severe preeclampsia.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Chris Ho Ching Yeung, C. Mary Schooling
Summary: This study found that systemic inflammatory regulators were not associated with the risk of Alzheimer's disease, but Alzheimer's disease was suggestively associated with certain specific inflammatory regulators.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Mingyang Li, Wei Shi, Jia Yang, Qi Wang, Haiyan Dong, Jun Chen, Lifang Zhang, Shanli Zhu
Summary: The MOMP-targeted affibody molecule (Z(MOMP):461) screened in this study showed the ability to recognize native MOMP in cells infected with C. trachomatis, indicating great potential for delivering drugs for target therapy.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Jesse L. Clark, Catherine E. Oldenburg, Ryan C. Passaro, Eddy R. Segura, William Godwin, Jennifer A. Fulcher, Robinson Cabello
Summary: This study assessed levels of inflammatory cytokines in men who have sex with men (MSM) with and without rectal gonorrhea and/or chlamydia in Lima, Peru. The results showed that MSM with gonorrhea/chlamydia had elevated levels of all cytokines in rectal mucosa compared with matched controls. After antibiotic treatment, there were no significant differences in cytokine levels. This suggests that rectal sexually transmitted infection screening may be an important tool for HIV prevention in MSM.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Angela Lovett, Arlene C. Sena, Andrew N. Macintyre, Gregory D. Sempowski, Joseph A. Duncan, Andreea Waltmann
Summary: Infections of the female lower genital tract caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae can vary from asymptomatic carriage to symptomatic cervicitis. This pilot study found that asymptomatic N. gonorrhoeae infections were more frequently associated with a Lactobacillus-dominant vaginal microbial community, while symptomatic infections were characterized by a more diverse and heterogenous bacterial taxa typically associated with bacterial vaginosis.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Dieter Mielke, Sherry Stanfield-Oakley, Shalini Jha, Taylor Keyes, Adam Zalaquett, Brooke Dunn, Nicole Rodgers, Thomas Oguin, Greg D. Sempowski, Raquel A. Binder, Gregory C. Gray, Shelly Karuna, Lawrence Corey, John Hural, Georgia D. Tomaras, Justin Pollara, Guido Ferrari
Summary: This study developed four flow cytometry-based assays to evaluate antibody responses in SARS-CoV-2 infection and immunity. These assays showed specific and reproducible detection of functional antibody responses, but with limited overlap. Single or fewer sample dilutions were found to accurately determine response rates and magnitudes, allowing for high-throughput use in large clinical studies.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sophie M-C Gobeil, Rory Henderson, Victoria Stalls, Katarzyna Janowska, Xiao Huang, Aaron May, Micah Speakman, Esther Beaudoin, Kartik Manne, Dapeng Li, Rob Parks, Maggie Barr, Margaret Deyton, Mitchell Martin, Katayoun Mansouri, Robert J. Edwards, Amanda Eaton, David C. Montefiori, Gregory D. Sempowski, Kevin O. Saunders, Kevin Wiehe, Wilton Williams, Bette Korber, Barton F. Haynes, Priyamvada Acharya
Summary: The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, aided by extensive spike protein mutation, has surpassed the previously dominant Delta variant. Cryo-EM structures of the Omicron and Delta spikes reveal the conformational impacts of mutations, with the Omicron spike showing a tightly packed RBD organization and increased flexibility at the fusion peptide site.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sandip Ashok Sonar, Jennifer L. Uhrlaub, Christopher P. Coplen, Gregory D. Sempowski, Jarrod A. Dudakov, Marcel R. M. van den Brink, Bonnie J. LaFleur, Mladen Jergovic, Janko Nikolich-Zugich
Summary: Secondary lymphoid organs (SLOs) age asynchronously, with a reduction in the capacity of older SLOs to maintain naive T cell numbers. Older SLOs exhibit an emigration phenotype and decreased participation in de novo immune responses in mice.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Matthew D. Gallovic, Robert D. Junkins, Adam M. Sandor, Erik S. Pena, Christopher J. Sample, Ariel K. Mason, Leslee C. Arwood, Rebecca A. Sahm, Eric M. Bachelder, Kristy M. Ainslie, Gregory D. Sempowski, Jenny P. -Y. Ting
Summary: The current pandemic emphasizes the importance of effective vaccines against respiratory viruses. This study presents a vaccine strategy using a scalable microparticle platform containing a STING agonist as an adjuvant, which provides durable protection against the influenza virus. Animal studies demonstrate that this vaccine-adjuvant combination can reduce viral shedding, improve vaccine outcomes, and provide sustained protection even a year after a single dose.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2022)
Article
Virology
Ryan R. Chaparian, Alfred T. Harding, Cait E. Hamele, Kristina Riebe, Amelia Karlsson, Gregory D. Sempowski, Nicholas S. Heaton, Brook E. Heaton
Summary: This work presents an approach utilizing current influenza vaccine manufacturing infrastructure to generate combination vaccines capable of protecting from both influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2-induced disease. The production of a combined influenza/SARS-CoV-2 vaccine may provide a practical solution to enhance immunity to these important respiratory viruses without the increased cost and administration burden of multiple independent vaccines.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Matthew J. French, Ryan Wuerker, Greg Dugan, John D. Olson, Brittany R. Sanders, Janet A. Tooze, David L. Caudell, Mark Cline, Gregory D. Sempowski, Andrew N. Macintyre
Summary: The purpose of this study was to understand the delayed immunologic effects of acute total body irradiation (TBI) using nonhuman primates as a model for humans. The results showed that TBI significantly alters the circulating proportions of cellular mediators of adaptive immune memory for several years after irradiation, especially in macaques under 5 years of age and those receiving a high dose of radiation. Rating: 8 out of 10.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RADIATION ONCOLOGY BIOLOGY PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Katherine C. Barnett, Yuying Xie, Takanori Asakura, Dingka Song, Kaixin Liang, Sharon A. Taft-Benz, Haitao Guo, Shuangshuang Yang, Kenichi Okuda, Rodney C. Gilmore, Jennifer F. Loome, Thomas H. Oguin III, Gregory D. Sempowski, Scott H. Randell, Mark T. Heise, Yu Leo Lei, Richard C. Boucher, Jenny P. -Y. Ting
Summary: Elevated levels of cytokines IL-1(3 and IL-6 are associated with severe COVID-19. Investigating the underlying mechanisms, it was found that primary human airway epithelia (HAE) are not the source of IL-1(3 released upon SARS-CoV-2 infection. The SARS-CoV-2 E protein upregulates inflammasome gene transcription via TLR2 in leukocytes, while infected HAE supply a second signal, including genomic and mitochondrial DNA, to stimulate leukocyte IL-1(3 release.
CELL HOST & MICROBE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Breanna J. Turman, Damir Alzhanov, Uma M. Nagarajan, Toni Darville, Catherine M. O'Connell
Summary: Chlamydia trachomatis is a common cause of infectious blindness and sexually transmitted bacterial infection worldwide. This bacterium contains a plasmid with eight coding sequences, and strains without this plasmid have reduced infectivity. Mutants lacking the plasmid-encoded proteins Pgp3 and Pgp4 also display infectivity defects, suggesting that both proteins are necessary for infectivity. Further studies are needed to understand the mechanisms by which Pgp3 and Pgp4 influence infectivity and the potential roles of Pgp4-regulated loci.
INFECTION AND IMMUNITY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Jacob T. Heggestad, Rhett J. Britton, David S. Kinnamon, Jason Liu, Jack G. Anderson, Daniel Y. Joh, Zachary Quinn, Cassio M. Fontes, Angus M. Hucknall, Robert Parks, Gregory D. Sempowski, Thomas N. Denny, Thomas W. Burke, Barton F. Haynes, Christopher W. Woods, Ashutosh Chilkoti
Summary: Researchers have developed a rapid point-of-care test called CoVariant-SPOT, which can identify likely variants of SARS-CoV-2 concurrent with COVID-19 diagnosis using antibodies targeting the nucleocapsid protein and spike protein mutations. The test has been shown to distinguish between two variants, Delta and Omicron, and could enhance community surveillance efforts worldwide and inform treatment selection.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Mathematical & Computational Biology
Jianwen Cai, Donglin Zeng, Haolin Li, Nicole M. Butera, Pedro L. Baldoni, Poulami Maitra, Li Dong
Summary: Design-based analysis is commonly used in complex survey sampling studies, and this article compares the performance of different missing data methods (IPW, NRCW, MI, and FIML) in linear and generalized linear population models through extensive simulation studies. The results show that design-based analysis can produce valid estimation and statistical inference when missing data are appropriately handled using these methods.
STATISTICS IN MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Sheetal Sawant, Sarah Anne Gurley, R. Glenn Overman, Angelina Sharak, Sarah V. Mudrak, Thomas Oguin, Gregory D. Sempowski, Marcella Sarzotti-Kelsoe, Emmanuel B. Walter, Hang Xie, Marcela F. Pasetti, M. Anthony Moody, Georgia D. Tomaras
Summary: This study presents a validated hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) assay for accurate measurement of H3N2 influenza antibody titers. The assay demonstrated high precision, specificity, and sensitivity, making it suitable for evaluating vaccine-induced protection. This research is of great importance for influenza vaccine development.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Kristy A. Terrell, Gregory D. Sempowski, Andrew N. Macintyre
Summary: This study developed automated screening and confirmatory assays for the detection of rat antibodies against a specific humanized antibody. The assays were evaluated and found to be suitable for purpose. The assays were then used to evaluate the levels of antibodies in rat serum after administration of different doses of lipid-nanoparticle-encapsulated mRNA.
Article
Microbiology
Chuwen Liu, Neha Vivek Mokashi, Toni Darville, Xuejun Sun, Catherine M. O'Connell, Katrin Hufnagel, Tim Waterboer, Xiaojing Zheng
Summary: We developed a reusable and open-source machine learning pipeline for biomarker discovery and applied it to analyze data related to Chlamydia trachomatis infection. Four ML algorithms were compared, and naive Bayes and KNN performed slightly better in predicting different outcomes. Our study suggests that clinical factors and serum antibodies are not sufficient biomarkers for Ct infection. The ML pipeline provides a useful tool for biomarker discovery in various areas.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Taylor E. Gin, Elizabeth A. Petzold, Diya M. Uthappa, Coralei E. Neighbors, Anna R. Borough, Craig Gin, Erin Lashnits, Gregory D. Sempowski, Thomas Denny, Dorothee Bienzle, Benjamin J. Callahan, Christopher W. Woods
Summary: This study collected samples from dogs and cats living with SARS-CoV-2-PCR-positive individuals for testing, and found that a small number of the samples were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA and antibodies.
