ERK1/2 and the Bcl-2 Family Proteins Mcl-1, tBid, and Bim Are Involved in Inhibition of Apoptosis During Persistent Chlamydia psittaci Infection

In this study, the antiapoptotic effects of persistentC. psittaci infection, induced by treatment with IFN- γ, were found to be associated with both the death receptor and the mitochondrial pathways of apoptosis. These effects were mediated by Bcl-2 family members, as evidenced by the decreased expression of proapoptotic proteins, such as tBid and Bim. Simultaneously, the antiapoptotic protein Mcl-1 was upregulated by persistentC. psittaci infection. Increased phosphorylation of ERK1/2 was observed; however, the expression of Bad, unlike that of other proapoptotic proteins, did not seem to be involved in this process. In summary, persistent chlamydial infection exerts antiapoptotic effects through both the death receptor and the mitochondrial pathways, in a process that is regulated by the ERK1/2 and apoptotic proteins of the Bcl-2 family.

Source: Inflammation - April 18, 2018 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research