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Review
. 2021 May 21:12:639834.
doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.639834. eCollection 2021.

Insights Into Host Cell Cytokines in Chlamydia Infection

Wenjing Xiang  1 , Nanyan Yu  1 , Aihua Lei  1 , Xiaofang Li  1 , Shui Tan  1 , Lijun Huang  1   2 , Zhou Zhou  1
Affiliations
Review

Insights Into Host Cell Cytokines in Chlamydia Infection

Wenjing Xiang et al. Front Immunol. .

Abstract

Chlamydial infection causes a number of clinically relevant diseases and induces significant morbidity in humans. Immune and inflammatory responses contribute to both the clearance of Chlamydia infection and pathology in host tissues. Chlamydia infection stimulates host cells to produce a large number of cytokines that trigger and regulate host immune responses against Chlamydia. However, inappropriate responses can occur with excessive production of cytokines, resulting in overreactive inflammatory responses and alterations in host or Chlamydia metabolism. As a result, Chlamydia persists and causes wound healing delays, leading to more severe tissue damage and triggering long-lasting fibrotic sequelae. Here, we summarize the roles of cytokines in Chlamydia infection and pathogenesis, thus advancing our understanding chlamydial infection biology and the pathogenic mechanisms involved.

Keywords: Chlamydia; cytokines; infection; inflammation; pathology.

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Conflict of interest statement

LH was employed by Huang Nanyue Biopharmaceutical Co. Ltd. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The function of cytokines in Chlamydia-induced inflammation.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The regulatory network and function of different cytokines upon Chlamydia infection. The host cells produce a variety of cytokines after chlamydial infection. Cytokines induce cell immunity response and produce more cytokines. As descripted in text, the impact of all the cytokines on the host chlamydial infection can be divided into two aspects: favorable and unfavorable.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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