Host-pathogen reorganisation during host cell entry by Chlamydia trachomatis

Andrea Nans,Charlotte Ford,Richard D Hayward

doi:10.1016/j.micinf.2015.08.004

Andrea Nans, Charlotte Ford + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micinf.2015.08.004

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Abstract

Chlamydia trachomatis is obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen that remains a significant public health burden worldwide. A critical early event during infection is chlamydial entry into non-phagocytic host epithelial cells. Like other Gram-negative bacteria, C. trachomatis uses a type III secretion system (T3SS) to deliver virulence effector proteins into host cells. These effectors trigger bacterial uptake and promote bacterial survival and replication within the host cell. In this review, we highlight recent cryo-electron tomography that has provided striking insights into the initial interactions between Chlamydia and its host. We describe the polarised structure of extracellular C. trachomatis elementary bodies (EBs), and the supramolecular organisation of T3SS complexes on the EB surface, in addition to the changes in host and pathogen architecture that accompany bacterial internalisation and EB encapsulation into early intracellular vacuoles. Finally, we consider the implications for further understanding the mechanism of C. trachomatis entry and how this might relate to those of other bacteria and viruses.

Highlights

Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen
Chlamydiae cause diseases in humans and other animals, and in particular C. trachomatis remains the leading bacterial cause of sexually transmitted disease worldwide [1], while ocular infections cause blinding trachoma, which is designated as a neglected tropical disease by the World Health Organisation [2]
We discuss the implications for understanding the mechanism of C. trachomatis entry into host cells

Summary

Introduction

In common with other bacterial pathogens, a critical early step in chlamydial infection is the interaction of infectious but metabolically inactive extracellular elementary bodies (EBs) with the host cell plasma membrane. Electron microscopy studies of chlamydial EBs in the absence of host cells by Matsumoto identified surface projections and surface complexes termed ‘rosettes’ [e.g. Ref.

Results

Conclusion