Innate immunity and Chlamydia infection: Bacterial:epithelial cell cross-talk at the mucosal surface. [ 2006 - 2008 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Prof Kenneth Beagley (Principal investigator) ,  A/Pr Michael Boyle ,  A/Pr Shisan Bao ,  Prof Alan Landay ,  Prof Ian Symonds
View all 6 related researchers

Brief description Chlamydial infections are the most common sexually transmitted disease in Australia. Infection induces short term immunity that is only partially protective. Furthermore, in many infected individuals the immune response causes inflammation of the fallopian tubes leading to pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and infertility. In these individuals the initial chlamydial infection may not be cleared and a chronic infection may develop that can be reactivated, perhaps many times, contributing to the ongoing inflammatory response. Evidence from in vitro studies suggests that antibiotics routinely used to treat Chlamydia infection may actually contribute to the development of chronic infection. The stage of menstrual cycle at the time of exposure and oral contraceptive use can also influence susceptibility to infection suggesting that sex hormones influence infection outcomes. The innate or early immune response to infection by reproductive tract epithelial cells, the target cells of chlamydial infection, is believed to initiate the pro-inflammatory immune responses that will develop in some individuals following primary infection, however very little is known regarding this early epithelial cell immune response. In the proposed studies we will use reproductive tract epithelial cell lines, freshly isolated epithelial cells and cervical biopsy explant cultures to define this early innate immune response to chlamydial infection. Using gene-profiling techniques we will identify the types of innate immune response that predispose to long-term inflammatory sequelae. Gene-profiling techniques will also be used to determine why chronic chlamydial infections develop in some individuals and whether antibiotics influence this. Our ultimate aim is to be able to predict which infected individuals are likely to develop long term inflammatory disease and may therefore need more intensive antibiotic therapy or treatments such as therapeutic vaccination.

Funding Amount $AUD 593,340.11

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant