Pathogenicity and virulence of Chlamydia trachomatis: Insights into host interactions, immune evasion, and intracellular survival
Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular pathogen and the leading cause of bacterial sexually transmitted infections and infectious blindness worldwide. All Chlamydia species share a unique biphasic developmental cycle, alternating between infectious elementary bodies (EBs) and replicative...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | Virulence |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/21505594.2025.2503423 |
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| author | Alix McCullough Steven Huang Mary M. Weber |
| author_facet | Alix McCullough Steven Huang Mary M. Weber |
| author_sort | Alix McCullough |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular pathogen and the leading cause of bacterial sexually transmitted infections and infectious blindness worldwide. All Chlamydia species share a unique biphasic developmental cycle, alternating between infectious elementary bodies (EBs) and replicative reticulate bodies (RBs). The pathogenesis of C. trachomatis is driven by a sophisticated arsenal of adhesins, conventional type III secretion system effector proteins, and inclusion membrane proteins that subvert host cellular processes to establish infection and promote survival. In this review, we highlight the molecular mechanisms underlying C. trachomatis infection, focusing on key stages of its developmental cycle, including adhesion, invasion, replication, and egress. We delve into its interactions with host cytoskeletal structures, immune signaling pathways, and intracellular trafficking systems, as well as its strategies for immune evasion and persistence. Understanding these mechanisms offers critical insights into C. trachomatis pathogenesis and identifies promising avenues for therapeutic and vaccine development. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e4f09073899047148487c6cd878fe1bd |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2150-5594 2150-5608 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Virulence |
| spelling | doaj-art-e4f09073899047148487c6cd878fe1bd2025-08-20T02:30:47ZengTaylor & Francis GroupVirulence2150-55942150-56082025-12-0116110.1080/21505594.2025.2503423Pathogenicity and virulence of Chlamydia trachomatis: Insights into host interactions, immune evasion, and intracellular survivalAlix McCullough0Steven Huang1Mary M. Weber2Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USADepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USADepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USAChlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular pathogen and the leading cause of bacterial sexually transmitted infections and infectious blindness worldwide. All Chlamydia species share a unique biphasic developmental cycle, alternating between infectious elementary bodies (EBs) and replicative reticulate bodies (RBs). The pathogenesis of C. trachomatis is driven by a sophisticated arsenal of adhesins, conventional type III secretion system effector proteins, and inclusion membrane proteins that subvert host cellular processes to establish infection and promote survival. In this review, we highlight the molecular mechanisms underlying C. trachomatis infection, focusing on key stages of its developmental cycle, including adhesion, invasion, replication, and egress. We delve into its interactions with host cytoskeletal structures, immune signaling pathways, and intracellular trafficking systems, as well as its strategies for immune evasion and persistence. Understanding these mechanisms offers critical insights into C. trachomatis pathogenesis and identifies promising avenues for therapeutic and vaccine development.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/21505594.2025.2503423ChlamydiaT3SSInceffectoradhesionhost pathogen interactions |
| spellingShingle | Alix McCullough Steven Huang Mary M. Weber Pathogenicity and virulence of Chlamydia trachomatis: Insights into host interactions, immune evasion, and intracellular survival Virulence Chlamydia T3SS Inc effector adhesion host pathogen interactions |
| title | Pathogenicity and virulence of Chlamydia trachomatis: Insights into host interactions, immune evasion, and intracellular survival |
| title_full | Pathogenicity and virulence of Chlamydia trachomatis: Insights into host interactions, immune evasion, and intracellular survival |
| title_fullStr | Pathogenicity and virulence of Chlamydia trachomatis: Insights into host interactions, immune evasion, and intracellular survival |
| title_full_unstemmed | Pathogenicity and virulence of Chlamydia trachomatis: Insights into host interactions, immune evasion, and intracellular survival |
| title_short | Pathogenicity and virulence of Chlamydia trachomatis: Insights into host interactions, immune evasion, and intracellular survival |
| title_sort | pathogenicity and virulence of chlamydia trachomatis insights into host interactions immune evasion and intracellular survival |
| topic | Chlamydia T3SS Inc effector adhesion host pathogen interactions |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/21505594.2025.2503423 |
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