Plac8-dependent and inducible NO synthase-dependent mechanisms clear Chlamydia muridarum infections from the genital tract

J Immunol. 2012 Feb 15;188(4):1896-904. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1102764. Epub 2012 Jan 11.

Abstract

Chlamydia trachomatis urogenital serovars replicate predominantly in genital tract epithelium. This tissue tropism poses a unique challenge for host defense and vaccine development. Studies utilizing the Chlamydia muridarum mouse model have shown that CD4 T cells are critical for clearing genital tract infections. In vitro studies have shown that CD4 T cells terminate infection by upregulating epithelial inducible NO synthase (iNOS) transcription and NO production. However, this mechanism is not critical, as iNOS-deficient mice clear infections normally. We recently showed that a subset of Chlamydia-specific CD4 T cell clones could terminate replication in epithelial cells using an iNOS-independent mechanism requiring T cell degranulation. We advance that work using microarrays to compare iNOS-dependent and iNOS-independent CD4 T cell clones. Plac8 was differentially expressed by clones having the iNOS-independent mechanism. Plac8-deficient mice had delayed clearance of infection, and Plac8-deficient mice treated with the iNOS inhibitor N-monomethyl-l-arginine were largely unable to resolve genital tract infections over 8 wk. These results demonstrate that there are two independent and redundant T cell mechanisms for clearing C. muridarum genital tract infections: one dependent on iNOS, and the other dependent on Plac8. Although T cell subsets are routinely defined by cytokine profiles, there may be important subdivisions by effector function, in this case CD4(Plac8).

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Chlamydia Infections / immunology*
  • Chlamydia muridarum / immunology*
  • Chlamydia muridarum / pathogenicity
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Epithelial Cells / immunology
  • Epithelial Cells / microbiology
  • Female
  • Genitalia, Female / immunology
  • Genitalia, Female / microbiology
  • Genitalia, Female / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Microarray Analysis
  • Nitric Oxide / biosynthesis
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / immunology*
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / metabolism*
  • Proteins / genetics
  • Proteins / metabolism*
  • Reproductive Tract Infections / immunology*
  • Reproductive Tract Infections / microbiology
  • omega-N-Methylarginine / pharmacology

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Plac8 protein, mouse
  • Proteins
  • omega-N-Methylarginine
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II

Associated data

  • GEO/GSE32128