miRNA/mRNA analysis of increased TGF-β pathways drive epithelial-mesenchymal transition and regulatory T cell differentiation - PubMed
4 hours ago
- #TGF-β pathways
- #Chlamydia trachomatis
- #epithelial-mesenchymal transition
- Chlamydia trachomatis genital tract infection causes severe reproductive complications in women.
- Mouse models show chlamydia-induced miRNA dysregulation drives harmful cytokine responses, EMT, and fibrosis.
- Endometrial biopsies from infected women (Endo+) showed upregulated immune response and EMT genes, downregulated cell cycle control genes.
- Integrative miRNA-mRNA analysis identified differentially expressed miRNAs modulating these pathways in Endo+ women.
- Downregulated miRNAs in Endo+ women typically suppress EMT and Treg differentiation, while some enhance Th17 responses.
- TGF-β signaling and EMT alterations were specific to the endometrium, not seen in blood samples.
- Increased TGF-β pathway activity in Endo+ tissue promotes EMT and Treg differentiation, reducing Th17 activation.
- These changes may promote tissue scarring while dampening inflammatory responses that could limit infection.