Unique T cell signatures associated with reducedChlamydia trachomatisreinfection in a highly exposed cohort

• DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.02.551709
• Publication Date: 2023-08-04T06:00:10Z
• Authors: Kacy S Yount; Chi-Jane Chen; Avinash Kollipara; Chuwen Liu; Neha V Mokashi; Xiaojing Zheng; C Bruce Bagwell; Taylor B Poston; Harold C Wiesenfeld; Sharon L Hillier; Catherine M O’Con...; Natalie Stanley; Toni Darville

ABSTRACT Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection globally. Understanding natural immunity to CT will inform vaccine design. This study aimed profile immune cells and associated functional features in CT-infected women, determine profiles with reduced risk of ascended endometrial reinfection. PBMCs from CT-exposed women were profiled by mass cytometry random forest models identified key that distinguish outcomes. CT+ participants exhibited higher frequencies CD4+ Th2, Th17, Th17 DN CD4 T effector memory (TEM) than uninfected decreased expression cell activation differentiation markers. No significant differences detected between or without infection. Participants who remained follow-up negative (FU-) showed central (TCM) Th1, Th1/17, but TEM Th2 FU+ participants. Expression markers lineage increased on subsets among FU- These data indicate peripheral exhibit distinct resistance The highly plastic appears contribute protection. Addressing these nuances could promote efficacy vaccines. GRAPHICAL