| First Author | Slade JA | Year | 2018 |
| Journal | Pathog Dis | Volume | 76 |
| Issue | 8 | PubMed ID | 30321322 |
| Mgi Jnum | J:352120 | Mgi Id | MGI:7704250 |
| Doi | 10.1093/femspd/fty075 | Citation | Slade JA, et al. (2018) The type I interferon receptor is not required for protection in the Chlamydia muridarum and HSV-2 murine super-infection model. Pathog Dis 76(8) |
| abstractText | Chlamydia trachomatis/HSV-2 vaginal co-infections are seen clinically, suggesting that these sexually transmitted pathogens may interact. We previously established an intravaginal Chlamydia muridarum/HSV-2 super-infection model and observed that chlamydial pre-infection protects mice from a subsequent lethal HSV-2 challenge. However, the mechanism of protection remains unknown. The type I interferon, IFN-beta, binds to the type I interferon receptor (IFNR), elicits a host cellular antiviral response and inhibits HSV replication in vitro and in vivo. Previous studies have demonstrated that C. muridarum infection stimulates genital tract (GT) IFN-beta production; therefore, we hypothesized that chlamydial pre-infection protects mice from HSV-2 challenge via the IFN-beta/IFNR-induced antiviral response. To test this prediction, we quantified IFN-beta levels in vaginal swab samples. Detection of IFN-beta in C. muridarum singly infected, but not in mock-infected animals, prompted the use of the super-infection model in IFNR knockout (IFNR-/-) mice. We observed that C. muridarum pre-infection reduces HSV-2-induced mortality by 40% in wild-type mice and by 60% IFNR-/- mice. Severity of HSV-2 disease symptoms and viral shedding was also similarly reduced by C. muridarum pre-infection. These data indicate that, while chlamydial infection induces GT production of IFN-beta, type I IFN-induced antiviral responses are likely not required for the observed protective effect. |
