Genital Chlamydia infection in hyperlipidemic mouse models exacerbates atherosclerosis.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease, and recent studies have shown that infection at remote sites can contribute to the progression of atherosclerosis in hyperlipidemic mouse models. In this report, we tested the hypothesis that genital Chlamydia infection could accelerate the onset and progression of atherosclerosis.

Methods

Apolipoprotein E (Apoe^-/-) and LDL receptor knockout (Ldlr^-/-) mice on a high-fat diet were infected intra-vaginally with Chlamydia muridarum. Atherosclerotic lesions on the aortic sinuses and in the descending aorta were assessed at 8-weeks post-infection. Systemic, macrophage, and vascular site inflammatory responses were assessed and quantified.

Results

Compared to the uninfected groups,

SUBMITTER: Nagarajan UM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8552421 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature