Tumor necrosis factor-α response to infection with Chlamydia trachomatis in human fallopian tube organ culture

• Published in: American journal of obstetrics and gynecology 1996-11, Vol.175 (5), p.1242-1245
• Main Authors: Ault, Kevin A., Tawfik, Ossama W., Smith-King, Maureen M., Gunter, Jennifer, Terranova, Paul F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bacterial diseases; Bacterial diseases of the genital system; Biological and medical sciences; Chlamydia Infections - immunology; Chlamydia trachomatis; Chlamydia trachomatis, fallopian tube; cytokines; Fallopian Tubes - metabolism; Female; Human bacterial diseases; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Infectious diseases; Medical sciences; Organ Culture Techniques; Tumor necrosis factor; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - analysis; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - biosynthesis
• ISSN: 0002-9378; 1097-6868
• DOI: 10.1016/S0002-9378(96)70035-2

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine whether tumor necrosis factor-α is produced in response to infection with Chlamydia trachomatis in the fallopian tube. STUDY DESIGN: Fallopian tubes were harvested at the time of abdominal hysterectomy and processed by standard tissue culture techniques. Tubal segments were inoculated with Chlamydia trachomatis serotype E/UW-5/CX. At 48 hours of incubation supernatant fluid was assayed for tumor necrosis factor- α. Tubal segments were stained for chlamydial inclusions and tumor necrosis factor- α by use of immunohistochemical techniques. RESULTS: Mean tumor necrosis factor-α levels for infected segments were 92.1 ± 21.3 pg/ml (mean ± SEM) and for control segments were 61.9 ± 13.9 pg/ml ( p = 0.03 by paired t test). Tumor necrosis factor- α was predominantly localized in the tubal epithelium. CONCLUSIONS: Tumor necrosis factor-α is produced in response to chlamydial infection by the human fallopian tube. It is an important proinflammatory cytokine and may promote the production of other cytokines and immune-mediated damage of the fallopian tube. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1996;175:1242-5.)