Open AccessBlockade of epithelial membrane protein 2 (EMP2) abrogates infection of Chlamydia muridarum murine genital infection model
Author(s) -
Shimazaki Kaori,
Chan Ann M.,
Moniz Raymond J.,
Wadehra Madhuri,
Nagy Agnes,
Coulam Catherine P.,
Mareninov Sergey,
Lepin Eric M.,
Wu Anna M.,
Kelly Kathleen A.,
Braun Jonathan,
Gordon Lynn K.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
fems immunology & medical microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1574-695X
pISSN - 0928-8244
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-695x.2008.00525.x
Subject(s) - chlamydia trachomatis , biology , chlamydia , immunology , infectivity , inflammation , antibody , blockade , polyclonal antibodies , in vivo , virology , microbiology and biotechnology , virus , receptor , biochemistry
New methods are needed to eradicate or prevent Chlamydia trachomatis infections. Blockade of epithelial membrane protein 2 (EMP2) by genetic silencing or neutralizing polyclonal antibody reduced chlamydial infectivity in vitro . This study tests the prediction that recombinant anti‐EMP2 diabody could reduce early chlamydial infection of the genital tract in vivo . In a murine infection model, pretreatment with anti‐EMP2 diabody, as compared with control diabody, significantly reduced bacterial load, tissue production of inflammatory cytokines, recruitment of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and local tissue inflammation. These findings support EMP2 as a potential preventative and therapeutic target for genital chlamydial infection.