Pgp3 protein of Chlamydia trachomatis inhibits apoptosis via HO-1 upregulation mediated by PI3K/Akt activation.

As an obligate intracellular pathogen, Chlamydia trachomatis assumes various strategies to inhibit host cells apoptosis, thereby providing a suitable intracellular environment to ensure completion of the development cycle. In the current study, we revealed that Pgp3 protein, one of eight plasmid proteins of C. trachomatis that has been illustrated as the key virulence factor, increased HO-1 expression to suppress apoptosis, and downregulation of HO-1 with siRNA-HO-1 failed to exert anti-apoptosis activity of Pgp3 protein. Moreover, treatment of PI3K/Akt pathway inhibitor and Nrf2 inhibitor evidently reduced HO-1 expression and Nrf2 nuclear translocation was blocked by PI3K/Akt pathway inhibitor. These findings highlight that induction of HO-1 expression by Pgp3 protein is probably due to regulation of Nrf2 nuclear translocation activated by PI3K/Akt pathway, which provide clues on how C. trachomatis adjusts apoptosis.

Chlamydia trachomatis plasmid-encoded protein Pgp3 inhibits apoptosis via the PI3K-AKT-mediated MDM2-p53 axis.

Chlamydia trachomatis, the most common human pathogen that causes trachoma and sexually transmitted disease, has developed various strategies for inhibiting host cell apoptosis. Activation of the PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase)/AKT-mediated MDM2 (murine double minute 2)-p53 pathway plays a prominent role in the apoptosis resistance arising from C. trachomatis infection. However, the precise upstream mechanisms by which C. trachomatis activates this pathway have not been adequately investigated. Here, we reveal that the secreted C. trachomatis plasmid-encoded protein Pgp3 inhibits apoptosis in HeLa cells. This process requires the activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, thereby leading to phosphorylation and nuclear entry of MDM2, and p53 degradation. PI3 K inhibitor LY294002 and MDM2 inhibitor Nutlin-3a block Pgp3-induced inhibition of HeLa cell apoptosis, suggesting a critical role for the PI3K/AKT pathway and its effect on the MDM2-p53 axis in Pgp3 anti-apoptotic activity.

Chlamydia trachomatis plasmid-encoded protein pORF5 protects mitochondrial function by inducing mitophagy and increasing HMGB1 expression.

Chlamydia trachomatis, an obligate intracellular pathogen, has various effective strategies to regulate host cell death signalling pathways that ensure completion of their growth cycle. Mitochondrial autophagy (mitophagy) is responsible for elimination of dysfunctional and impaired mitochondria, and this process plays a critical role in cell survival via restriction of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. However, the specific molecular mechanisms are not entirely understood. In the present study, we observed that pORF5 plasmid protein of C. trachomatis plays a crucial role in attenuating mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis. Knockdown high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) by lentivirus suppressed pORF5-induced mitophagy and increased apoptosis, implying that pORF5 may participate in cell death signalling pathways via up-regulation of HMGB1. Thus, we concluded that up-regulation of HMGB1 is a pivotal event for C. trachomatis that manipulates mitophagy and apoptosis in order to establish a favourable environment supportive of Chlamydial growth, which should further promote our understanding of Chlamydial pathogenic mechanisms.