Sulforaphane promotes chlamydial infection by suppressing mitochondrial protein oxidation and activation of complement C3.

ABSTRACT: Sulforaphane (SFN), a phytochemical found in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables, is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent with reported effects in cancer chemoprevention and suppression of infection with intracellular pathogens. Here we report on the impact of SFN on infection with Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct), a common sexually transmitted pathogen responsible for 131 million new cases annually worldwide. Astoundingly, we find that SFN as well as broccoli sprouts extract (BSE) promote Ct infection of human host cells. Both the number and size of Ct inclusions were increased when host cells were pretreated with SFN or BSE. The initial investigations presented here point to both the antioxidant and thiol alkylating properties of SFN as regulators of Ct infection. SFN decreas

SUBMITTER: Saez D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6296177 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature