Study on Association of Recent and Past Chlamydophila pneumoniae Infection with Classic Multiple Sclerosis.

Aims: We conducted this study to determine if there is any correlation between Classical Multiple Sclerosis and Chlamydophilia pneumoniae infection by ELISA (IgM, IgG, IgA). Study Design: cross sectional study Place and Duration of Study: The present study was performed in the Department of Microbiology, Guilan University of Medical Sciences between April 2012 and April 2013 Methodology: Chlamydophila pneumoniae infection certified by ELISA in patients (n=46) and control (n=46) using commercial assays (anti- C. pneumoniae IgG, anti- C. pneumoniae IgM, and anti- C. pneumoniae IgA kits). Data were analyzed by using four statistical tests (Pearson chi square, Kendall's tau, and Spearman's rho). Results: Seropositivity to anti- C. pneumoniae IgG was seen less frequently in patients versus controls (69.0% versus 81.4%; P=0.187). Seropositivity to anti- C. pneumoniae IgA was also observed less frequently in patients than in controls (7.2 % versus 11.6%; P= 0.479).However anti- C. pneumoniae IgM antibodies were seen more often in classical multiple sclerosis patients than it was in controls ( 11.9% versus 2.3%; P= 0.085). Conclusion: We concluded that recent or past C. pneumoniae infection has no correlation in initiation or protection of CMS.

The Effect of Chlamydia pneumoniae on the Expression of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-gamma in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

PURPOSE: This study was designed to investigate the change of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) after the infection of the human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (HCSMCs) with Chlamydia pneumoniae (C. pneumoniae) and the effect of PPARgamma agonist on the expression of PPARgamma of C. pneumoniae-infected HCSMCs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To determine the effect of PPARgamma agonist on the proliferation of C. pneumoniae-infected HCSMCs, rosiglitazone at various concentrations was applied 1 hour before inoculation of HCSMCs. RESULTS: The expression of PPARgamma mRNA in HCSMCs increased from 3 hours after C. pneumoniae infection and reached that of noninfected HCSMCs at 24 hours (p < 0.05). The expression of PPARgamma protein in HCSMCs also increased from 3 hours after C. pneumoniae and persisted until 24 hours as compared with that of noninfected HCSMCs (p < 0.05). The pretreatment of HCSMCs with rosiglitazone followed by the infection with C. pneumoniae augmented the expression of PPARgamma mRNA and protein (p < 0.05) and decreased cell proliferation. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that the expression of PPARgamma increases in response to C. pneumoniae infection and rosiglitazone further augmented the expression of PPARgamma. It is suggested that rosiglitazone could ameliorate the chronic inflammation in the vessel wall induced by C. pneumoniae by augmenting PPARgamma expression.

Biochemical characterization and comparison of recombinant RNase HIIa and RNase HIIb from Chlamydia pneumoniae / 上海第二医科大学学报

Objective To clone and compare RNase HIIa and RNase HIIb of Chlamydia pneumoniae AR39(CpRNaseHIIa and CpRNaseHIIb). Methods Genes of CpRNase HIIs were amplified with the designed primers.Then,the recombinant plasmids were constructed,and CpRNase HIIs were expressed and purified with pET expression system.The 5′-32P-labeled RNA/DNA substrate and DNA with oligoribonucleotides substrates were prepared to identify characterization of CpRNase HIIs. Results Ribonuclease H activity of both CpRNase HIIa and CpRNase HIIb could cleave oligoribonucleotides strand,generating break with 3′-OH and 5′-phosphate ends.The results showed that there was different biochemical characterization between them. Conclusion CpRNase HIIa and CpRNase HIIb have different functions in C.pneumoniae.

The level of C.pneumoniae, Cytomegalovirus, and H.pylori antibody in a patient with coronary heart disease.

Atherosclerosis is still the chief cause of morbidity and mortality in developed nations. Even though in developed nations the modification of risk factors is able to reduce the prevalence rate of atherosclerosis, such reduction is starting to slow down. Such condition has stimulated researchers to identify environmental exposure, including infection, that can influence the process of atherosclerosis. This cross sectional study was conducted from March to August 1998, on 122 patients that clinically demonstrate coronary heart disease and have underwent cardiac catheterization, 92 males and 30 females with an average age of 55 years. Patients undergo clinical and laboratory evaluation (blood glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, and antibody for C.pneumoniae. Cytomegalovirus, and H.pylori). We found a significant difference in cholesterol, triglyceride, and HDL levels in those with coronary stenosis and those without. However, we did not find a significant difference in the levels of C.pneumoniae, Cytomegalovirus, and H.pylori antibodies. This study is unable to conclude the influence of these antibodies on atherosclerosis, since in the non-stenosis group, we cannot eliminate the possibility of atherosclerosis, since the average age of study subject is 55 years. Studies on the interaction between infection and traditional risk factors as well as gender and nutrition is needed to find a clear answer of the influence of infection in atherosclerosis.