Effects of repeated Chlamydia pneumoniae inoculations on aortic lipid accumulation and inflammatory response in C57BL/6J mice.

ABSTRACT: Chlamydia pneumoniae is a common respiratory tract pathogen, and persistent infections have been associated with atherosclerosis. We studied the effects of repeated chlamydial inoculations on the inflammatory response and on aortic lipid accumulation in C57BL/6J mice. Mice fed a diet supplemented with 0.2% cholesterol were infected three or six times with C. pneumoniae every fourth week. Sera and lungs were analyzed for inflammatory responses, lung tissues were tested for the presence of C. pneumoniae DNA and RNA, and intimal lipid accumulation in the aortic sinus was quantified. High levels of chlamydial heat shock protein 60 (Hsp60) immunoglobulin G2c subclass antibodies were detected in all of the infected mice, and a positive and statistically significant correlation was found between

SUBMITTER: Tormakangas L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1230915 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature