Characterization of Redox Active Natural Compounds in Chlamydia Infection

Trachoma is the leading cause of blindness worldwide, induced by the intracellular bacterial pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct). Ct is also one of the most widespread sexually transmitted infections (STIs), with over 2.8 million infections in the US alone. The most serious sequelae result from ascension of Ct to the upper genital tract in women to cause 1) pelvic inflammatory disease, 2) inflammation of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries/pelvic peritoneum, and 3) infertility. Because of the medical burden and the growing threat of antibiotic resistance for Ct, there is an urgent need for new treatment strategies to fight diseases induced by Ct infection. We have recently identified Spilanthol, a compound found in the tropical plant Spilanthes acmella, as a promising bioactive compound for prevention and treatment of Ct infections (EC50 41.6 μM). We will present data on the chemical mechanism of action and cross-talk of redox pathways induced by Ct infection and spilanthol treatment resulting in inhibition of Ct infection in addition to the use of global proteomics to determine if any signaling pathways of interest are affected. The results connect spilanthol-induced mitochondrial H2O2 to processes essential to Ct life cycle such as Ct attachment and internalization in host cells, and intracellular Ct inclusion development, processes dependent on F-actin/cytoskeletal reorganization.

Grantor dc:publisher

Wake Forest University

Year dc:date.issued

2019

Author dc:creator

• Saez, Daniel Alberto

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10339/93902

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:wakespace.lib.wfu.edu:10339/93902