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Chlamydia inhibit host cell apoptosis by inducing Bag-1 via the MAPK/ERK survival pathway

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Abstract

Chlamydia are obligate intracellular bacteria that frequently cause human disease. Host cells infected with Chlamydia are profoundly resistant to diverse apoptotic stimuli. The inhibition of apoptosis is thought to be an important immune escape mechanism allowing Chlamydia to productively complete their obligate intracellular growth cycle. Chlamydial antiapoptotic activity involves activation of the MAPK/ERK survival pathway. However, the molecular mechanisms are not well understood. Here we show that Bag-1 is up-regulated in Chlamydia-infected cells. U0126 and GW5074 suppress the induction of Bag-1 by Chlamydia, implying that Chlamydia may up-regulate Bag-1 via the MAPK/ERK survival pathway. Overexpression of Bag-1 is sufficient to protect against apoptosis, while depletion of Bag-1 suppresses the antiapoptotic effect of Chlamydia. The data indicate Chlamydia may up-regulate Bag-1 through the MAPK/ERK survival pathway to suppress apoptosis.

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Acknowledgments

Supported by the Youth Foundation of Heath Department of Hubei Province, China (Grand No. QJX 2012-46).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, 434000, Jingzhou, Hubei, China

    Du Kun, Zhou Ming & Li Qi

  2. Department of Science and Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, 434000, Jingzhou, Hubei, China

    Cheng Xiang-lin

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Correspondence to Du Kun.

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Kun, D., Xiang-lin, C., Ming, Z. et al. Chlamydia inhibit host cell apoptosis by inducing Bag-1 via the MAPK/ERK survival pathway. Apoptosis 18, 1083–1092 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10495-013-0865-z

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