Chlamydia trachomatis plasmid-encoding Pgp3 protein induces secretion of distinct inflammatory signatures from HeLa cervical epithelial cells

Background Genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection is the most common bacterial sexual transmitted disease that causes severe complications including pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility in females. The Pgp3 protein encoded by C. trachomatis plasmid has been speculated to be an important player in chlamydial pathogenesis. However, the precise function of this protein is unknown and thus remains to be thoroughly investigated. Methods In this study, we synthesized Pgp3 protein for in vitro stimulation in the Hela cervical carcinoma cells. Results and conclusion We showed that Pgp3 induced prominent expression of host inflammatory cytokine genes including interleukin-6 ( IL-6 ), IL-8 , tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 3 ( TNFAIP3 ), and chemokine C-X-C motif ligand 1 ( CXCL1 ), implying a possible role of Pgp3 in modulating the inflammatory reaction in the host.