Hangxing Yu, PhD

Personal Data:
Country of Origin: P. R. China
PhD period: August 2006 - February 2010

Title:
Modulation of host cell activation and apoptosis by Chlamydia trachomatis

Project Leader: Prof. Dr. Eberhard Straube

Abstract:
Chlamydiae are obligate intracellular bacteria causing respiratory (Chlamydophila pneumoniae) and urogenital infections (Chlamydia trachomatis) in man. Chlamydial infection of host cells results in resistance of infected cells to apoptosis, modulation of the expression of antigen presenting molecules (e.g. HLA class I and II), activation of anti-chlamydial factors (type I interferon system, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase) and expression of chemokines, cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP). During the replication cycle Chlamydiae secrete proteins into the host cell cytosol. However, there is only little knowledge on the role of these potential virulence factors in the modulation of the host cell response upon infection.